The American Mind Podcast

The latest round of “No Kings!” rallies, reportedly attended by 7 million—average attendee, per Axios, mid-40s and female—took to the streets this weekend in protest of…what monarchy, exactly? This week, three kings—Ryan, Matt, and Spencer—discuss progressive populism, John Bolton’s indictment for alleged mishandling of classified intelligence, and Zohran Mamdani’s likely victory despite a weak performance in New York’s mayoral debate. Plus: more cultural recommendations!Recommended media:The Claremont Institute Standing Athwart HistoryHasan Piker Is Flirting With the RevolutionBehind the Curtain: The Most Unprecedented Presidency in 250 YearsThe Camp of the Saints This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

In a stirring climax to Trump’s middle east negotiations, 20 Israeli hostages were released back to their families after 738 days in brutal captivity. This week, hosts Spencer and Mike discuss the success of Trump’s plan thus far, the failure of previous efforts in the region, and the likelihood of lasting peace. Meanwhile, unguarded messages from a Young Republican group chat have leaked to the media. Is this more evidence of political hatred on the level of Jay Jones’s texts, or just edgy kids doing what edgy kids do? Plus: The Supreme Court takes up oral arguments again, and more cultural recommendations!Recommended reading:Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chatGorgias: Encomium of Helen This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

Trump has a twenty-point plan to end the war in Gaza, emphasizing demilitarization and the release of hostages. On the two-year anniversary of the October 7 attack, the guys contemplate the plan’s prospects for success, Netanyahu’s political future, and domestic reactions. Meanwhile back home, leaked texts from Virginia Democrat Jay Jones express hair-raisingly violent fantasies about “fascist” conservative opponents and their families, epitomizing the Left’s bloodlust problem. Plus: Gen Z’s devolution of marriage structures, and more cultural recommendations!Cultural recommendations:Vibe Shift: Quantum Supremacy Guy Wins Physics NobelJay Jones’s Texts Are a Frightening Peek into a Bleak Moral WorldviewWhat Does Gen Z Divorce Look Like?Annihilation: A NovelAristophanes: Four Plays: Clouds, Birds, Lysistrata, Women of the Assembly This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

This week, Matthew Peterson of The Blaze jumps in to discuss Pete Hegseth’s forceful declaration of war on DEI initiatives, including separate PT standards for women. Then the guys crack open Kamala Harris’s apologia for her campaign in 107 Days, comprising a list of all the people responsible for the election loss who are not named Kamala Harris. Late candidacy? Biden’s fault. Bad interviews? The host’s fault. Not elected? The people’s fault. Meanwhile, the AI firm Friend publicizes its attempt to supplant real human interaction, raising concerns about Big Tech fueling—and preying on—the mentally unwell. Plus: more cultural recommendations!Reading recommendations:Identity in the Trenches, by Will ThibeauThe Constant Battle, by Kamala HarrisFighting Enemies Foreign and Domestic, edited by Ryan P. WilliamsInforming Statecraft, by Angelo CodevillaI Hate My Friend This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

Special guest Ryder Selmi, longtime friend of Charlie Kirk and Strategy Director at Beck & Stone, joins the hosts this week to recount his experience attending Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Monday. There, Erika Kirk forgave her husband’s assassin in a moment of prayer, joined by Trump and more than 200,000 attendees at an Arizona stadium—a moment emblematic of Charlie’s faith and his movement. Reactions from the Left elite have ranged from bewilderment to spite, epitomized by Jimmy Kimmel’s distasteful attempt to pin the assassination on MAGA. The late-night host was then briefly pulled from air, now made a “martyr” by Hollywood to distract from their offenses. Plus: media recommendations!Recommended reading:Religious News Veteran: Why the Mainstream Media Doesn’t Understand Erika KirkLand’s EndArming the People Against Revolution This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

Kyle Shideler, Director and Senior Analyst for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy, joins to discuss the political aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination. They explore how this event may ignite civic activism among young voters. Shideler breaks down the complexities of far-left extremist ideologies and their funding mechanisms. He critiques vague threat categorizations and suggests strategic designations to counter extremism effectively. Recommended readings are shared for those looking to understand the broader context.

The editors open with an analysis of the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska by a repeat violent offender, and discuss what it reveals about crime, media spin, and a legacy media more fixated on “Republicans pouncing” than the literally pouncing criminal himself. Follow-up discussion ranges from Europe’s disappearing crime stats to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s downward revision of nearly a million jobs during the Biden presidency, probing whether institutions still merit public trust and what a reality-based politics on immigration, safety, and the economy might look like. The editors also touch on an immigration sweep at a Georgia battery plant and the gap between GDP and lived experience before closing with fresh culture picks.Culture recommendations:* The Name of the Rose* Last Summer Boys* Alien: Earth* How to Be a Better Drinker: Cocktail Recipes and Boozy Etiquette This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

The podcast tackles the tragic shooting at a Minneapolis school, sparking discussions about mental health and the identity of the shooter. It critiques leftist responses to violence and examines the impact of AI on education, highlighting grade inflation at elite institutions. The relocation of Space Command to Alabama and reflections from the NatCon Conference add depth to the dialogue. They also touch on academic standards and the significance of classical literature, wrapping up with media recommendations for listeners.

The hosts dive into a controversial government deal with Intel, discussing its implications for the tech industry and national security. They also touch on the potential deployment of the National Guard in Chicago and its possible political motivations. A heated exploration of immigration in the UK reveals rising crime rates and societal tensions. The discussion extends to cultural identity, the impact of mass migration, and critiques of modern media, all while weaving in personal reflections on music and literature.

Matthew Peterson, Editor-in-Chief at The Blaze, joins the discussion on Trump’s diplomatic endeavors regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, critiquing media narratives around his role. The conversation broaches the tragic consequences of current immigration policies following a fatal accident involving an illegal immigrant. They also ponder the decline of traditional cinema and the generational disconnect in viewing habits, reflecting on how political ideologies and entertainment are evolving in today's cultural landscape.