525. JD Vance vs. the Pope and the Far-Right Funding Machine (Question Time)
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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The reality is that Vance and the administration are wrong. I mean, they're theologically illiterate. They are consistently portraying a worldview which is, well, in a lot of their actions, almost seems to be completely unbound by any kind of ethical principles.
This is a deliberate thing of constantly wrapping up what they're doing in religious rhetoric. And if you are somebody like Pope Leo, who clearly can't stand what these people are doing to America and to the world, then you can see why he would get very, very offended.
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Why are Trump and JD Vance arguing with the Pope about theology?
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Welcome to the Restless Politics Question Time with me, Rory Stewart.
And me, Alistair Campbell. And we're going to talk Trump v. the Pope again because he keeps rumbling on. We are going to have a bit of a deep dive into the well-organized funding of right-wing organizations against women's rights and other issues, which will take us into Hungary, which plays a big part in that. And then we'll maybe try and lighten up a bit because it's been a pretty... heavy week. But Rory, where shall we start?
Okay, so why don't we start with the first question, who's from Ellie, who's a Trip Plus member from Hong Kong. Hi, Alistair and Rory, I really enjoyed your articles in the newsletter about Trump's response to the Pope. My question is, what does it say about the state of religion and politics when political figures feel comfortable lecturing religious leaders on their own theology? Is this just naked power politics, or does it reflect a genuine belief among the MAGA movement that they represent true Christianity better than the Pope does? And before I hand over to you, there are two examples of this, strongly from J.D.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–1:11
2
Why are Trump and JD Vance arguing with the Pope about theology?
1:11–17:42
3
How is the far-right funded in Europe and what impact does it have?
17:42–20:45
4
What theological arguments does JD Vance make against the Pope?
20:45–28:48
5
What is the significance of the MAGA movement's relationship with religion?
28:48–43:23
Speakers
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