The Glenn Show

Laurence Kotlikoff, a prominent economist and professor at Boston University, dives deep into the economic turmoil caused by Trump's tariffs. He discusses the alarming implications these policies have on consumers and global relations. Kotlikoff suggests these tariffs may serve as a tool to combat national debt and critiques the social security system, proposing reforms for its sustainability. He also explores investment strategies to protect against market volatility amidst these uncertainties, offering a hopeful perspective on potential silver linings for the economy.

In this engaging discussion, topics dive deep into the first hundred days of the second Trump administration. The conversation touches on the impact of contemporary black writers and tackles the interplay of race in advertising. They also explore solutions for governmental inefficiencies, emphasizing private sector insights. Plus, there's a critical examination of foreign aid cuts and the potential dangers of current economic policies. The hosts encourage listeners to think beyond their bubbles, fostering a rich dialogue around pressing societal issues.

Richard Kahlenberg, a thought leader on class and education, advocates for class-based affirmative action as a fairer alternative to racial preferences in university admissions. He critiques the Trump administration's approach to diversity and discusses the importance of socioeconomic factors in creating equitable access to elite institutions. Kahlenberg explores the potential of vocational training as a viable path alongside traditional college. He also urges the Democratic Party to rethink its strategies to address changing societal attitudes towards class and privilege.

Rajiv Sethi, a Professor of Economics at Barnard College, shares insights on the impact of the Trump administration on higher education. He discusses how the crackdown on campus protests might have occurred independent of recent events. Sethi argues that test scores could bridge merit and diversity in admissions. The conversation also delves into Columbia's measures against antisemitism and the broader implications of free speech on campus, exploring the challenging dynamics between political pressure and academic freedom.

Support The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.comI spent part of last week visiting Stanford University, and John is off taking care of business in Australia. The time difference, travel, and speaking obligations made scheduling a recording impossible. So this week, I’ve got something a little different for you. Instead of recording a conversation on the day’s news with John, I decided to record one on my own. In this episode, I talk through some opinion pieces that grabbed my attention and give my take on the topics. I address Trump and the economy, Trump’s predictability and unpredictability, DOGE and MAGA’s slashing of the federal government, Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest, antisemitism, and attacks on Tesla cars, dealerships, and charging stations. This is a bit of an experiment—my team and I wanted to see what would happen if I gave it a shot. Let me know how it’s working for you in the comments.These pieces are all quite relevant as of this posting, on Monday afternoon. But by Friday? Who knows. So I decided to release this episode simultaneously to both free and full subscribers. If you like getting The Glenn Show a few days early, consider becoming a full subscriber. You’ll get new episodes early, plus access to monthly Q&As with John McWhorter, bonus episodes, and other exclusive content. Become a full subscriber at https://glennloury.substack.comVideo Links2:31 The opportunities and risks of Trump's economic plans6:50 Is Trump as unpredictable as he seems?16:00 DOGE and MAGA take a chainsaw to the federal government22:30 An argument against Mahmoud Khalil's detention ...32:49 ... and one in favor of Khalil's detention41:38 Is it time for an official ban on antisemitism?49:14 Teslas are burningRecorded March 14, 2025Links and ReadingsSteve Cortes’s RCP piece, “Trump and the Economy: Opportunities and Risks”Susan Glasser’s New Yorker piece, “Uncertainty Is Trump’s Brand. But What if He Already Told Us What He’s Going to Do?”Tim Murtaugh’s Washington Times piece, “Why the Democrat Brand Is in the Toilet”Jeff Mayhugh’s Hill piece, “The MAGA Revolution Is Playing with Fire”Ross Barkan’s NYMag piece, “Mahmoud Khalil’s Arrest Will Backfire on Trump”Josh Hammer’s Daily Signal piece, “Mahmoud Khalil and the Red-Green Assault on American Sovereignty”Mackenzie France’s RCP piece, “Congress Should Pass Antisemitism Awareness Act”Rich Lowry’s New York Post piece, “Tesla Terrorism Only Reveals the Left’s Impotence” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit glennloury.substack.com/subscribe

Support The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.comVideo Links0:00 Intro 1:33 The relationships Peter has lost and gained 4:14 Why Peter thinks this is a “watershed” moment in Jewish history 6:50 Who can criticize Israel? 9:44 The challenge of October 7’s aftermath to Jewish self-understanding 15:54 Peter: Jews should support non-violent Palestinian protest, not criminalize it 20:12 Shouldn’t the Palestinians have taken the deals they were offered? 25:48 Peter’s argument for a one-state solution 34:34 The “dirty little secret” of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Jewish critics 37:12 The idolatry of the Jewish state 39:45 The mutual liberation of Jews and Palestinians 41:37 Why aren’t the critics of snowflakes and trigger warnings defending pro-Palestinian campus protesters? 46:01 Peter: Antisemitism is on the rise, and ethno-nationalism is the reason 50:20 Peter: If Gaza is unlivable, then Gazans should be allowed to live where they wantRecorded February 21, 2025Links and ReadingsPeter’s Substack, The Beinart NotebookJewish Currents magazinePeter’s new book, Being Jewish after the Destruction of Gaza: A ReckoningTa-Nehisi Coates’s book, The MessageEitan Hersh and Laura Loyden’s article, “Antisemitic Attitudes across the Ideological Spectrum” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit glennloury.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit glennloury.substack.comSupport The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.comIn this episode, Nikita, Mark, and I talk about steelmanning, what people want me to say about Gaza, what I want to say about Gaza, and why I offer disclaimers when I talk foreign policy.

Support The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.comVideo Links0:00 Intro 1:55 Did Trump and Vance bully Zelenskyy or give him a dose of reality? 5:16 Glenn: Trump is trying to wind down an unnecessary war 13:49 - Ground News ad 28:58 The “deep game” of European security 32:06 Glenn: America First appeals to me, World War III doesn’t 36:40 Teaching the reparations debate in a post-October 7 world 43:06 MSNBC axes Joy Reid’s showRecorded March 1, 2025Links and ReadingsTrump and Zelensky’s Oval Office meetingTucker Carlson’s onstage interview with Hungarian president Victor OrbánThe latest episode of Walter Kirn and Matt Taibbi’s podcast, America This WeekTa-Nehisi Coates’s Atlantic essay, “The Case for Reparations” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit glennloury.substack.com/subscribe

The discussion dives into the NAACP's recent advisory on corporate DEI rollbacks and their impact on Black communities. It critiques modern diversity initiatives, arguing they may prioritize elite interests over real racial challenges. The hosts debate the role of organizations like the NAACP in today's shifting political landscape. They also tackle viewer anger and broader social issues, challenging listeners to rethink how advocacy for Black interests is evolving in contemporary society.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit glennloury.substack.comSupport The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.comIn this bonus episode, Mark, Nikita, and I discuss Trump's chaotic Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, parsing positions from principles, and the fate of Ukraine.