Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw

Jon Huntsman returns to the podcast to talk China and what he learned as Ambassador to America's greatest trading partner and emerging rival. For the first time in centuries, China is a leader on the world stage. So how do Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party view their role as a global player? What moves are they making to change the geopolitical landscape across Asia and Europe? What is their endgame with the United States – and how should we react? Jon Huntsman is the only ambassador to ever serve in both China (2009 – 2011) and Russia (2017 – 2019). He was the Governor of Utah (Jan. 2005 – Aug. 2009), served as the Chair of the Western Governors Association, and under his leadership Utah was ranked as the best managed state in America by Pew Center on the States.

In this solo episode, Dan breaks down the Democrats' $3 trillion, 1800 page spending bill which was voted on by the House on Friday, May 15.

Jon Huntsman, Jr. served as U.S. Ambassador to Russia from 2017 – 2019, during one of the most difficult periods in bilateral relationships since deep in the Cold War. He joined Dan to break down the complex foreign policy issues involving the two countries. What's the truth behind the Michael Flynn investigation and what would an actual Russian intelligence operation look like? How does the average Russian view America and their own country's place in the world? Why has Vladimir Putin's persona become so deeply entwined with their cultural identity? What is Putin's worldview – is he Peter the Great or Ivan the Terrible – and what can we expect to happen to Russia when he does exit the stage? Jon Huntsman is the only ambassador to ever serve in both China (2009 – 2011) and Russia (2017 – 2019), as well as Singapore (1992 – 1993). He was the Governor of Utah (Jan. 2005 – Aug. 2009), served as the Chair of the Western Governors Association, and under his leadership Utah was ranked as the best managed state in America by Pew Center on the States.

Why are so many young people motivated to join the far left? Charlie Kirk talks with Dan about the shallow yet persuasive arguments used by leaders like AOC and Bernie to win over the millennial/z generations, and the best ways to counter them. What's the one issue young people disregard which matters most to their futures? How is the progressive movement doing on college campuses these days? Charlie and Dan dive into these questions and give advice every young person should know before they venture into politics. Charlie Kirk is the Founder of Turning Point USA, host of The Charlie Kirk Show, and author of "The MAGA Doctrine." Follow him on Twitter at @charliekirk11.

Economist Dr. John Diamond joins Dan to examine the current state of the American economy and what's on the horizon for businesses and labor markets. What's working and not working with the CARES Act? How does an extended duration for unemployment relief slow the recovery even further? Are we close to reaching the crisis point with longer-term structural issues like entitlement programs, budget deficits, and government debt? Dr. John Diamond is a professor and director of the Center for Public Finance at the Baker Institute, an adjunct professor of economics at Rice University and CEO of Tax Policy Advisers, LLC. His research interests are federal tax and expenditure policy, state and local public finance, tax reform and other policy issues. Follow him on Twitter at @jw_diamond.

Kay Coles James is President of Heritage Foundation and leads the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, an independent panel that works closely with the White House and congressional leaders to provide recommendations for the plan moving forward to protect the lives and livelihoods of Americans. What looming threats to economic freedom and liberty do we see beginning to play out across America and how can we stop them? What actions need to be taken at the federal, state, and local levels of government to get America back on track? How can private individuals and institutions take ownership of the recovery process? Kay brings decades of experience in public service to create a blueprint for restoring the American economy while also protecting public health and individual freedom. Learn more about the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission's recommendations at www.coronaviruscommission.com.

Steven Nabil is a journalist with extensive experience covering Iraqi politics and security. He joined Dan to examine the current state of Iraq and its long conflict with Iran. What has become of ISIS? How effective was the Soleimani strike at disrupting Iranian operations in Iraq, and what does this tell us about Iran's military power structure? What should we make of the ongoing Iraqi protests? Is it a movement toward peace and democracy or further terror across the region? Follow Steven Nabil on Twitter at @thestevennabil.

On this very special episode, Dan brings listeners into the historic site of Biblical Jerusalem, the City of David, to discover the cultural, political, and spiritual connections this once lost city has with our world today. How was the City of David lost and then rediscovered? What major discoveries have archaeologists recently made that link back to the times of Jesus and King David? What are the important geopolitical implications for this site which is at the heart of a city under constant threat from Palestinian terrorism? Our guide is Ze'ev Orenstein, the Director of International Affairs at the City of David Foundation. Learn more at https://www.cityofdavid.org.il/en

Dr. Nicole Saphier, physician and author of "Make America Healthy Again," joins Dan to examine the current state of the American health care system and the path to making it more accessible for everyone. Why is there a disconnect between the growing prevalence of preventable diseases in America and the culture of healthy diets and exercise which is projected on social media? Is there a difference between health care access and rights? What does the race to develop a cure for COVID-19 tell us about the rising cost of health care? Is there a practical middle ground between government-run and free market systems? Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, rising cancer rates among millennials, and the opioid crisis are all examined in depth, along with practical ways for individuals to take ownership of their own health and well being. Follow Dr. Saphier on Twitter at @NBSaphierMD.

With everyone in America so focused on dealing with the hardships brought on by the economic shutdown, it is easy to miss the disaster unfolding in Iran at the hands of their totalitarian regime. What role has China played in causing Iran to become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East? How do the Iranian people view the regime's handling of the crisis? What is the state of the Iranian regime five months out from the Soleimani strike? Behnam Ben Taleblu is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security, where he focuses on Iranian security and political issues. Behnam has authored or coauthored articles appearing in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Fox News, The Hill, and The National Interest. Follow Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Twitter at @FDD.