Tom Nichols

So you end up sounding like a wonk and he ends up sounding entertaining.

One of the things that I've got on my to-do list is to talk at some point about Trump's missile defense plans. which sound great, right? But if you want to talk about cutting government spending, we're not going to create a golden dome over America. It'll be billions and billions of dollars to defense contractors. It's not going to go anywhere.

One of the things that I've got on my to-do list is to talk at some point about Trump's missile defense plans. which sound great, right? But if you want to talk about cutting government spending, we're not going to create a golden dome over America. It'll be billions and billions of dollars to defense contractors. It's not going to go anywhere.

One of the things that I've got on my to-do list is to talk at some point about Trump's missile defense plans. which sound great, right? But if you want to talk about cutting government spending, we're not going to create a golden dome over America. It'll be billions and billions of dollars to defense contractors. It's not going to go anywhere.

I worked for a defense contractor that worked on the original Star Wars plan. I know something of those days. But I guess it's always a tough thing to tell Democrats that they should have more unified messaging because they're Democrats. And I don't know what the legislative response is, but to act...

I worked for a defense contractor that worked on the original Star Wars plan. I know something of those days. But I guess it's always a tough thing to tell Democrats that they should have more unified messaging because they're Democrats. And I don't know what the legislative response is, but to act...

I worked for a defense contractor that worked on the original Star Wars plan. I know something of those days. But I guess it's always a tough thing to tell Democrats that they should have more unified messaging because they're Democrats. And I don't know what the legislative response is, but to act...

like an article one power and to say, no, we're not going to allow, you know, we're going to put in bills, even if they die every time that they have to keep putting them out there and getting out and talking to the American people about the scary stuff. And I think they're loath to do that because they're,

like an article one power and to say, no, we're not going to allow, you know, we're going to put in bills, even if they die every time that they have to keep putting them out there and getting out and talking to the American people about the scary stuff. And I think they're loath to do that because they're,

like an article one power and to say, no, we're not going to allow, you know, we're going to put in bills, even if they die every time that they have to keep putting them out there and getting out and talking to the American people about the scary stuff. And I think they're loath to do that because they're,

Trump has been so effective at providing his surrogates with sneering, dismissive talking points. You say, listen, did you really vote to let Donald Trump leave the Ukrainian people defenseless? And then what they hear on Fox or wherever is Russia, Russia, Russia. Russia, Russia, Russia. Oh, it's Russia, Russia, Russia. You know, did you really vote for tariffs?

Trump has been so effective at providing his surrogates with sneering, dismissive talking points. You say, listen, did you really vote to let Donald Trump leave the Ukrainian people defenseless? And then what they hear on Fox or wherever is Russia, Russia, Russia. Russia, Russia, Russia. Oh, it's Russia, Russia, Russia. You know, did you really vote for tariffs?

Trump has been so effective at providing his surrogates with sneering, dismissive talking points. You say, listen, did you really vote to let Donald Trump leave the Ukrainian people defenseless? And then what they hear on Fox or wherever is Russia, Russia, Russia. Russia, Russia, Russia. Oh, it's Russia, Russia, Russia. You know, did you really vote for tariffs?

And, you know, then it's, again, this kind of Jedi mind trick of, well, it's not really tariffs. It's equality. It's fairness. And I think Democrats have just kind of thrown up their arms. Now, I'll say one last thing about this and get off that soapbox, Tim. There is a good argument, and I've made it myself. Let him drive the car off the cliff. Let him fuck everything up. Just bring the pain.

And, you know, then it's, again, this kind of Jedi mind trick of, well, it's not really tariffs. It's equality. It's fairness. And I think Democrats have just kind of thrown up their arms. Now, I'll say one last thing about this and get off that soapbox, Tim. There is a good argument, and I've made it myself. Let him drive the car off the cliff. Let him fuck everything up. Just bring the pain.

And, you know, then it's, again, this kind of Jedi mind trick of, well, it's not really tariffs. It's equality. It's fairness. And I think Democrats have just kind of thrown up their arms. Now, I'll say one last thing about this and get off that soapbox, Tim. There is a good argument, and I've made it myself. Let him drive the car off the cliff. Let him fuck everything up. Just bring the pain.

Let people experience what tariffs really do. I wrote this in his first term. I said, if people really want to trade more and they want to touch that hot stove, then let's get on with it and get it over with.

Let people experience what tariffs really do. I wrote this in his first term. I said, if people really want to trade more and they want to touch that hot stove, then let's get on with it and get it over with.

Let people experience what tariffs really do. I wrote this in his first term. I said, if people really want to trade more and they want to touch that hot stove, then let's get on with it and get it over with.

Cold and clear and sharp as a knife instead of, you know, kooky TikToks and ping pong paddles. I guess that's the most you can hope for.