Lex Fridman Podcast
#454 – Saagar Enjeti: Trump, MAGA, DOGE, Obama, FDR, JFK, History & Politics
Sun, 08 Dec 2024
Saagar Enjeti is a political journalist & commentator, co-host of Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar and The Realignment Podcast. He is exceptionally well-read, and the books he recommends are always fascinating and eye-opening. You can check out all the books he mentions in this episode here: https://lexfridman.com/saagar-books Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep454-sc See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/saagar-enjeti-2-transcript CONTACT LEX: Feedback - give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey AMA - submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama Hiring - join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring Other - other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact EPISODE LINKS: Saagar's Book Recommendations: https://lexfridman.com/saagar-books Saagar's Substack (where he recommends more books): https://saagarenjeti.substack.com/ Saagar's X: https://x.com/esaagar Saagar's Instagram: https://instagram.com/esaagar Breaking Points: https://youtube.com/@breakingpoints The Realignment Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@therealignment Saagar's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/esaagar SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Eight Sleep: Temp-controlled smart mattress cover. Go to https://eightsleep.com/lex AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drinks. Go to https://drinkag1.com/lex LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling. Go to https://betterhelp.com/lex Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to https://shopify.com/lex NetSuite: Business management software. Go to http://netsuite.com/lex OUTLINE: (00:00) - Introduction (09:47) - Why Trump won (14:48) - Book recommendations (18:24) - History of wokeism (25:54) - History of Scots-Irish (32:32) - Biden (36:34) - FDR (38:36) - George W Bush (40:59) - LBJ (46:15) - Cuban Missile Crisis (53:48) - Immigration (1:25:46) - DOGE (1:52:27) - MAGA ideology (1:55:39) - Bernie Sanders (2:04:00) - Obama vs Trump (2:21:00) - Nancy Pelosi (2:24:14) - Kamala Harris (2:40:00) - 2020 Election (3:03:49) - Sam Harris (3:14:55) - UFOs (3:20:47) - Future of the Republican Party (3:27:24) - Future of the Democratic Party (3:35:21) - Hope
Full Episode
The following is a conversation with Sagar Anjati, his second time in the podcast. Sagar is a political commentator, journalist, co-host of Breaking Points with Crystal Ball and of the Realignment podcast with Marshall Kozlov. Sagar is one of the most well-read people I've ever met.
His love of history and the wisdom gained from reading thousands of history books radiates through every analysis he makes of the world. In this podcast, we trace out the history of the various ideological movements that led up to the current political moment. In doing so, we mention a large number of amazing books.
We'll put a link to them in the description for those interested to learn more about each topic. And now, a quick few second mention of each sponsor. Check them out in the description. It's the best way to support this podcast. We got Asleep for naps, AG1 for health, Element for hydration, BetterHelp for the mind, Shopify for the wallet, and NetSuite for your business. Choose wisely, my friends.
Also, if you want to get in touch with me for a multitude of reasons, go to lexfriedman.com contact. And now, on to the full wide reads. I try to make them interesting, but if you skip them, please still check out our sponsors. I enjoy their stuff. Maybe you will too. This episode is brought to you by 8sleep, and it's pod 4 ultra.
I'm going to try a new thing where I hold on to a theme as I talk about these ads. I use Asleep and the Pod 4 Ultra to cool the bed. And since Sagar knows pretty much more than anybody I've ever met about the various U.S. presidents and presidential politics and the history of politics in U.S., Let me mention a little factoid.
Did you know that the White House didn't get air conditioning until 1933 under Hoover, who funded it just before leaving office for FDR? So all that praise that Sagar gives to FDR, just remember, maybe it wouldn't be possible without the cool, fresh air that Hoover gave to the great FDR.
And that, in fact, and I'm not sure why I'm using this voice in talking, but that, in fact, is essential for sleep, controlling the temperature of the bed, controlling the temperature of the sleeping environment. There you go. The more you know. Go to asleep.com slash Lex and use code Lex to get up to $600 off your Pod 4 Ultra purchase when bundled. That's asleep.com slash Lex.
This episode is brought to you by AG1. Basically a nice multivitamin that's also delicious, that I drink every day, that makes me feel like I have my life together, which I barely do. Now, speaking of drinks that you believe make you feel better, you know, placebo effect, that kind of thing. Here's a little presidential-themed factoid.
John Adams drank hard cider every morning, believing it promoted good health. I would love to get a health advice podcast with Winston Churchill. Another president, William Howard Taft, had the White House kitchen prepare special protein shakes made from eggs, milk, and beef extract. I would love the dietary details of some of the presidents.
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