Topic: Establishment

The discussion critiques Tim Alberta's definition of Christian nationalism as a "marriage of bad history and bad theology." The hosts argue that critics are fear-mongering about a theocratic takeover while ignoring the spiritual warfare context and the secularist leanings of the current administration.

Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks expresses outrage at the Democratic establishment's treatment of Bernie Sanders. Uygur argues that Joe Biden is "near senile" and incapable of beating Donald Trump, comparing him unfavorably to Hillary Clinton. He predicts a "war" against the establishment if Sanders is denied the nomination.

Liz Cheney's concession speech, where she invoked Abraham Lincoln and stated she loves her country more than her party, is analyzed as a sign of the fracturing GOP. Critics argue that the establishment is attempting to frame the modern Republican base as an anti-American "personality cult" while preserving "Old GOP" figures like Mitch McConnell.

Sky News Australia commentators argue that the US political media class has been repudiated by the close election results, which contradicted "landslide" predictions. CNN's Van Jones is noted for describing the results as a lack of a "moral victory" for Democrats. The discussion concludes that big tech and mainstream media maxed out their influence but failed to achieve the definitive rejection of Trump they sought.

The predictability of pandemics during election years is discussed, with a skeptical look at whether the current situation is a "dry run" or a live exercise. Historical references are made to the medical establishment and government agencies conducting chemical or biological tests on unsuspecting populations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Steve Bannon appeared on Fox Business with Maria Bartiromo to discuss the Democratic establishment's efforts to find an alternative to Bernie Sanders. Bannon suggested that if Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg fail, the party might look toward Hillary Clinton. He characterized the current political climate as Donald Trump's "Churchill moment," requiring him to manage both the coronavirus and economic contagion from China.

The implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is criticized as a nightmare for doctors. The segment argues that the insurance industry functions more like a banking system than a healthcare provider, prioritizing profit over patient care.

The legal challenge against the travel ban in Washington State focuses on claims of religious animus. Lawyers argue that despite the executive order not mentioning Islam, public statements and tweets from the campaign prove a discriminatory intent. A television interview featuring Rudy Giuliani, where he discussed being asked to find a "legal" way to implement a Muslim ban, is cited as key evidence.

The hosts speculate on whether establishment Republicans like Paul Ryan prefer Mike Pence over Donald Trump. They discuss the possibility that the party is supporting investigations into Russian interference as a way to delegitimize Trump's victory or prepare for his eventual removal from office.

Nigel Farage addressed the European Parliament following the Brexit vote, mocking members for never having held "proper jobs." Farage was met with boos and heckling, leading to an intervention by Parliament President Martin Schulz. The hosts discuss the shift in dynamics as the "establishment" now protests against the anti-establishment UKIP.

Catherine Rampel of the Washington Post compares the Brexit vote to the rise of Donald Trump in the United States, attributing both to voter anger and anti-intellectualism. She argues that voters are ignoring expert economic forecasts in favor of protest candidates. The segment highlights the media's framing of Leave voters as uneducated or irrational.

The effectiveness of the "Crooked Hillary" moniker is debated, with suggestions that the media inadvertently reinforces the label by repeating it. A blog post by Dave Winer is analyzed, which argues that Clinton's San Diego speech was a pivotal moment that successfully "embraced the madness" of the Trump campaign. The text suggests the U.S. establishment is necessary to maintain the dollar's status as the global reserve currency.

Ted Cruz appears with Sean Hannity at CPAC to discuss the possibility of a brokered convention. Cruz warns that if the "Washington establishment" attempts to drop in a chosen candidate against the will of the voters, it will result in a "manifest revolt."

Time magazine writer Joe Klein expresses outrage over Donald Trump's success, labeling his supporters "low information voters" who pose a threat to the country. Klein's comments reflect establishment anxiety, as he simultaneously praises Jeb Bush as the most substantive candidate in the race.

Hillary Clinton rejected the "establishment" label during the New Hampshire primary, citing her status as a potential first female president. However, polling suggests young women are increasingly skeptical of this narrative, favoring Bernie Sanders' policy positions. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright drew criticism for stating there is a "special place in hell" for women who do not support Clinton.

The hosts play and analyze segments of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1961 farewell address. They focus on his warning regarding the "unwarranted influence" of the military-industrial complex and the shift from a civilian "plowshare" industry to a permanent armaments industry. They compare the 3.5 million defense workers in 1961 to modern figures, noting the erosion of the balance between security and liberty.

Actress Jennifer Lawrence suggested that calling people "fat" on television should be illegal. This is cited as an example of "cultural Marxism" and the erosion of free speech, where the establishment seeks to regulate language to avoid hurting feelings, ultimately stifling human interaction.

The hosts discuss the reshuffling of talent at MSNBC, noting that Cenk Uygur was allegedly pushed out for his "tone" against the Washington establishment, only to be replaced by Al Sharpton.

Bill O'Reilly is accused of marginalizing Ron Paul by pretending to be confused by Paul's explanation of Keynesian economics and the Federal Reserve. The hosts argue that Fox News is run by establishment interests who prefer candidates like Mitt Romney or Michele Bachmann. They claim that even "right-wing" stations are often managed by liberals who prioritize ratings and establishment stability over genuine conservative discourse.