Published by Victor Davis Hanson | The Daily Signal
Victor Davis Hanson provides commentary on the latest political and cultural news with an eye to the historical significance of our time. He is an author, historian, classicist, and contemporary analyst. Join him to learn about the what's going on in your world.
Listen on Apple PodcastsVictor and Jack provide an update on the conflict with Iran and assess the latest threats facing the region. They examine New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposed property tax surcharge, the release of homeowners' addresses, and the broader philosophy behind redistribution policies and government power. The conversation also covers the surge of African migrants into Spain, Europe's shifting approach to illegal immigration and deportations, and the continuing debate over Anthony Fauci's COVID-era decisions and newly released diaries. Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Vaer Watches - Visit http://Vaerwatches.com/VDH Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 and for a limited time your first gift to ADF will be DOUBLED by a special matching grant—while funds last. Pre-order “The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement” NOW: https://www.amazon.com/Counterrevolution-Fall-Donald-Trump-Movement-ebook/dp/B0GF1K43WM The Heritage Guide to Historic Sites: Visit https://historicsites.heritage.org/ to start your adventure today. #HeritageGuidetoHistoricSites Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey impresses with spectacular visuals; but it misses the heart of Homer's epic, argues Victor Davis Hanson. On today's edition of Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words, Hanson explores the historical origins of The Odyssey, explaining how the poem blends Mycenaean history, Greek mythology, and oral tradition into one of Western civilization's foundational works. He then critiques Nolan's adaptation, praising its technical achievements while arguing that changes to key characters, themes, and mythology fundamentally alter Homer's original story. The conversation then turns to two transformative American presidents, Andrew Jackson and Ronald Reagan. Hanson examines Jackson's populism, expansion of executive power, and enduring legacy, before reflecting on Reagan's rise from California governor to president, his economic agenda, and why he became one of the defining conservative leaders of the twentieth century. re-order “The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement” NOW: https://www.amazon.com/Counterrevolution-Fall-Donald-Trump-Movement-ebook/dp/B0GF1K43WM NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Vaer Watches - Visit http://Vaerwatches.com/VDH Pure Health Research - Visit http://purehealthresearch.com and use coupon code VICTOR to save 35% on your order today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victor Davis Hanson and Sami Winc discuss the narcissistic ravings of fame-obsessed Dr. Anthony Fauci. They examine the contradictory statements Fauci made publicly and wrote privately. They also discuss the viability of socialist candidates in light of Mamdani's pied-à-terre and recent publication of wealthy NYC resident's information. |My Patriot Supply - Get $250 off My Patriot Supply’s best-selling 6-month emergency food supply! Available now at http://preparewithvdh.com Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http//:www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to sign ADF’s petition to protect female sports. Add your name to the declaration and side with truth and fairness! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Modern higher education standards are being ruined by the wokeness taking over America. Look no further than Arizona State University, where its School of Journalism just announced a new major dedicated to becoming an “influencer.” Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler on today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” examine Congressman Ro Khanna’s policy priorities for a Democratic House majority, including Medicare for All, living wage mandates, and cutting off aid to Israel. They describe how the progressives are hypocritical elites, operating as capitalists while pandering to anti-Israel hard-liners. Addressing the public exhaustion with anti-police hostility, Hanson then shares insights from his own career as a classicist, detailing the blatant racial preferences in hiring and ideological rot that ultimately drove him to resign his university tenure. He describes how the woke and DEI standards across America are running higher education into the ground, and influenced his decision to resign his tenure at age 51. Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. The Heritage Guide to Historic Sites: Visit https://historicsites.heritage.org/ to start your adventure today.#HeritageGuidetoHistoricSites NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Iran’s leadership is increasingly divided as political factions seek renewed negotiations with the United States while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pushes for continued conflict. America’s Gulf allies must take greater responsibility for confronting Iran and protecting the region. Newly released documents raise serious questions about Anthony Fauci’s honesty, financial interests, and conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Democratic Party’s socialist wing continues to gain influence, while Tucker Carlson’s accusations of treason over U.S.–Israel defense cooperation reflect a growing fixation on Israel that has distorted the political debate. Cove Pure - CovePure is giving VDH’s audience $250 off if you use this link: http://CovePure.com/VDH. Don’t wait! Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 and for a limited time your first gift to ADF will be DOUBLED by a special matching grant—while funds last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Victor and Sami discuss how the new Socialist Left emerged from the Democrats catering to the excesses of their fringe, creating a political Frankenstein’s monster. They also provide an update on the state of the Iran war, as wartime strategic decision making necessitates the U.S. to retaliate disproportionately. As part of the Saturday Special, Victor examines the connections between John Quincy Adams and George H. W. Bush and the entertaining exchange between Representative Gill and Smithsonian’s Director of the Museum of American History. NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Pure Health Research - Visit http://purehealthresearch.com and use coupon code VICTOR to save 35% on your order today America is worth preserving. Do your part and act now by going to https://www.heritage.org/beautiful Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An IRS employee who leaked thousands of confidential tax records, non-citizens mistakenly receiving ballots, and Zohran Mamdani's pledge to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu all fuel this week's political firestorm. Victor Davis Hanson and Sami Winc argue on today's edition of "Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words" that these controversies reveal a broader pattern of political weaponization, and the Democratic Party's accelerating shift toward democratic socialism. They discuss how progressive activists have overtaken the Democratic party, including figures like Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris, who have been moving further left; despite being wealthy socialist leaders who are increasingly disconnected from working Americans. The episode also examines the International Criminal Court's warrant for Netanyahu, arguing that the ICC has no authority in the United States, and analyzing what these developments could mean for Trump's presidency and the 2026 midterm elections. NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow My Patriot Supply - Get $250 off My Patriot Supply’s best-selling 6-month emergency food supply! Available now at http://preparewithvdh.com Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http://JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to sign ADF’s petition to protect female sports. Add your name to the declaration and side with truth and fairness! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler argue that President Trump is leading a political "counter-revolution," seeking to reverse decades of progressive policies on immigration, education, energy, and American history, doing more than any other Republican president. They examine why these efforts have sparked fierce resistance from the political Left and what they could mean for the country's future.The conversation also covers the growing appeal of democratic socialism among younger Americans, the resurgence of historical revisionism, and why the ignorance of the past is fueling today's political and cultural debates. This episode also explores Iran's military threats in the Middle East, Canada's wildfire and healthcare controversies, and what recent changes in military recruitment and merit-based leadership reveal about the direction of the United States and its allies. Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow America is worth preserving. Do your part and act now by going to https://www.heritage.org/beautiful Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Iran escalates. Trump retaliates. And a New York mayoral candidate wants Netanyahu arrested. Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler unpack the week's biggest geopolitical and political stories on today's edition of "Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words." They discuss the escalating conflict with Iran, Ukraine's evolving strategy against Russia, and why Hanson believes Israel has emerged in a far stronger strategic position than many expected. The episode also covers Trump's address on election integrity, the SAVE Act, Marco Rubio's warning about left-wing political violence, and the growing divide within the Democratic Party. Their conversation concludes with Zohran Mamdani's call to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling rising antisemitism on the Left. Victor also assesses Netanyahu's place among the most significant statesmen of the modern era. Cove Pure - CovePure is giving VDH’s audience $250 off if you use this link: http://CovePure.com/VDH Don’t wait! Vaer Watches - Visit http://Vaerwatches.com/VDH Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 and for a limited time your first gift to ADF will be DOUBLED by a special matching grant—while funds last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recent polling from Pew Research shows young Americans—especially Democrats under 30—favor Palestinians over Israelis, which Victor Davis Hanson attributes to campus-driven mass-cult politics, celebrity activism, and a Marxist oppressor-victim framework rather than historical knowledge. Hanson argues the post–Oct. 7 anti-Israel surge was not tied to events in Gaza and compares it to fading fads like Me Too and BLM, while criticizing prominent anti-Israel figures and “cosmic morality” that ignores concrete victims. Hanson touch on U.S.-Israel-Iran tensions, questioning claims that Israel wants war to continue and criticizing conspiracy narratives about Jews and the Mossad. Hanson then contrasts James Monroe’s presidency and the Monroe Doctrine with Bill Clinton’s record, praising Clinton-era budget surpluses while condemning his character and ruthless politics. The show also criticizes Tim Walz’s reaction to deporting a pardoned child rapist and argues California and New York are losing millionaires and billionaires due to taxes and bad governance. Vaer Watches - Visit http://Vaerwatches.com/VDH Pure Health Research - Visit http://purehealthresearch.com and use coupon code VICTOR to save 35% on your order today. Mount Titano Media - FINDING OUR WORDS: Words That Made America is available now in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, Audible, and in Spanish translation on Amazon.com, and on http://www.MountTitanoMedia.com NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As President Trump escalates pressure on Iran, Victor Davis Hanson examines whether a swift military campaign could cripple the regime, reshape the balance of power in the Middle East, and deter America's adversaries.Hanson and Sami Winc also discuss the Democrat Party's search for working-class voters, arguing that its embrace of progressive politics has left it increasingly disconnected from middle America.The conversation explores the rise of anti-Americanism, antisemitism, and socialist ideas on the Left, with Hanson arguing that these movements have gained influence among elite institutions while alienating many traditional Democratic voters.The episode concludes with a look at congressional scrutiny of DEI policies in higher education, the future of merit-based admissions and hiring, and the growing political backlash facing America's elite universities. NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to sign ADF’s petition to protect female sports. Add your name to the declaration and side with truth and fairness! America is worth preserving. Do your part and act now by going to https://www.heritage.org/beautiful Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Left's obsession with identity politics and rewriting history is reshaping everything from America's largest cities to its classrooms. Victor Davis Hanson examines New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's controversial immigrant map, growing support for Hamas among younger Americans, the return of Ebonics in California schools, and the Charlie Kirk murder case.Hanson argues that progressive leaders are erasing America's history of assimilation while encouraging tribalism and victimhood in its place. From Europe struggling with failed immigration policies to California legitimizing "Black English" in schools, he explains how identity politics is replacing a shared American culture. Hanson also breaks down the evidence in the Charlie Kirk murder investigation, condemning the conspiracy theories surrounding the case and warning that political narratives are increasingly taking precedence over facts. NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Home Title Lock - visit https://HomeTitleLock.com and use promo code VICTOR to get a FREE Title History Report, PLUS, a FREE TRIAL of their Million Dollar TripleLock Protection Pepperdine School of Public Policy - visit https://go.pepperdine.edu/dailysignal to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Iran’s attacks continue to escalate, prompting calls for a stronger U.S. response. Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler argue America should abandon a limited “tit-for-tat” strategy and instead pursue decisive action to deter the Iranian regime.Conversation then turns to the controversy surrounding Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and what today’s debates reveal about America’s understanding of Western civilization. The question of modern education standards affecting how much people truly know about The Odyssey. This episode also takes a look at reports that Democrat Graham Platner was being groomed as a future presidential contender—and what his rapid rise and fall says about today’s Democrat Party. NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow My Patriot Supply - Get $250 off My Patriot Supply’s best-selling 6-month emergency food supply! Available now at https://preparewithvdh.com Hillsdale - Sign up right now for Hillsdale College’s newest free online course, “The Odyssey.” Go to https://hillsdale.edu/VDH to enroll. It’s totally free. Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to sign ADF’s petition to protect female sports. Add your name to the declaration and side with truth and fairness! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Iran’s latest moves, Mexico’s reaction to the El Mayo arrest, and the Tyler Robinson case all raise the same question: whether America still has the will to confront threats directly. Today we look at the war update in Iran, the power of Mexican cartels, fentanyl, border security, and the political fallout when the U.S. takes action against cartel leaders. At home, the Tyler Robinson case adds another test of accountability, justice, and political violence. Together, these stories show a country facing pressure from foreign enemies, criminal networks, and domestic instability at the same time. Pure Health Research - Visit https://www.purehealthresearch.com and use coupon code VICTOR to save 35% on your order today. Mount Titano Media - FINDING OUR WORDS: Words That Made America is available now in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, Audible, and in Spanish translation on Amazon.com, and on https://www.MountTitanoMedia.com. NEW FILM: “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this Friday news roundup, Victor Davis Hanson and Sami Winc discuss Maine Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner “suspending” his campaign amid multiple allegations and party maneuvering, arguing Democrats only abandon candidates when polls turn, and they one of their own are hurt. They shift to Iran, endorsing renewed, disproportionate U.S. strikes to deter attacks and disrupt Iran’s trade routes to China and Russia while rejecting any deployment of U.S. ground troops. Hanson dismisses reports of European leaders plotting a U.S. “breakup” as empty posturing driven by defense dependence and trade surpluses. The episode also critiques DEI-driven cultural narratives, including casting and feminist criticism surrounding a new “The Odyssey” film, and supports Trump’s push to redirect Smithsonian exhibits away from what Hanson calls politicized pseudo-history toward a fuller account of American achievements and complexity, ending with viewer comments and broader criticism of Democratic messaging on energy, crime, and immigration. My Patriot Supply - Go to https://www.PREPAREWITHVDH.COM right now to get their best selling 3-Month Emergency Food Supply for $100 off. Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to give today. Every dollar you give will be DOUBLED thanks to a special matching grant, while funds last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is America becoming more divided at home—and more isolated abroad? Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler examine the media firestorm surrounding the July 4 Patriot Front photo, arguing that public attention is often shaped by selective coverage rather than consistent standards. They discuss recent teen takeover incidents, rising concerns about crime, and the state of race relations in America, while debating how decades of public policy have contributed to today's challenges. The conversation also explores growing divisions within the Democratic Party, as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro distances himself from the party's socialist wing, and whether moderates can reclaim influence. Hanson argues that Europe is increasingly dependent on the United States while pursuing policies that have weakened its own economic and military strength. The episode also discusses Tucker Carlson's suggestion that America needs a third party, his break with President Trump over foreign policy, and what those disagreements reveal about the future of the conservative movement. Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Vaer Watches - Visit https://Vaerwatches.com/VDH Pepperdine School of Public Policy - visit https://go.pepperdine.edu/dailysignal to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The extreme socialist and Communist policies taking over California and New York may be coming from your hometown next. Victor Davis Hanson discusses the failure of elite socialists like Gavin Newsom, the infiltration of Islam into the Democrat Party, and the tribalism Leftists are forcing throughout the country. Victor Davis Hanson points out the flaws in the socialist’s arguments, noting most of them are products of privilege. For example, Mamdani and Omar belong to the wealthiest and most privileged part of the minority community. Meanwhile, California serves as the blueprint for the rest of the country if Americans continue to elect them. Hanson also calls out the hypocrisy of many immigrants who criticize America, noting they have a duty to learn American history and assimilate into the culture. Instead, many immigrants would often rather learn about oppression, transphobia, and tribalism. “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation,” featuring Victor Davis Hanson, is OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Cove Pure - CovePure is giving VDH’s audience $250 off if you use this link: https://CovePure.com/VDH Don’t wait! Allegiance Gold - Visit https://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer and save! Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to give today. Every dollar you give will be DOUBLED thanks to a special matching grant, while funds last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victor Davis Hanson and Sami Winc discuss on this special July 4th edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words” why the U.S. republic has endured for 250 years. They cite secondary advantages—vast resources, continental unity, and ocean buffers—but emphasize the Constitution’s mixed government, intricate checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights for its continued survival. Victor notes the amendment process is intentionally difficult, requiring supermajorities in Congress and the states. The American Revolution is contrasted with the French Revolution as a limited political break that preserved British Enlightenment traditions, religious tolerance, and avoided radical cultural rupture. Cultural foundations include the absence of serfdom, an ideal of independent agrarian citizenship, lack of formal class titles, and social mobility. They argue Americans historically emulate success rather than envy it, warning that rising envy threatens national cohesion. The system is described as complex, hard to replicate abroad, designed to restrain power given flawed human nature, and dependent on an educated populace—now seen as weakening. OUT NOW: Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation WATCH NOW: https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Vaer Watches - Visit https://Vaerwatches.com/VDH Pure Health Research - Visit https://purehealthresearch.com and use coupon code VICTOR to save 35% on your order today. Mount Titano Media - FINDING OUR WORDS: Words That Made America is available now in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, Audible, and in Spanish translation on Amazon.com, and on https://www.MountTitanoMedia.com Heritage Foundation’s America. The Beautiful https://www.heritage.org/beautiful Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, the Trump v. Barbara's decision regarding birthright citizenship surprised observers, as Justices Roberts and Barrett departed from the conservative vote. Sami and Victor discuss potential motivations for the justices’ defections and the detrimental incentive structures of American immigration. In addition, they explore what “democrat” really means, the case of trans athlete AB Hernandez, and the importance of teaching young people the detriments of socialism. “Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation” OUT NOW: https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit http://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to give today. Every dollar you give will be DOUBLED thanks to a special matching grant, while funds last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Supreme Court’s new rulings on mail-in ballots, Scott Wiener’s apparent ‘betrayal’ of his trans allies, and the rampant immigration fraud within this country are all discussed on today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” Hanson recounts October 7 and the genocide that Hamas committed toward the Jewish people. This is why it is surprising that State Sen. Scott Wiener, Jewish, caved to his fellow Democrats and recanted his support for Israel. It turns out Democrats don’t mind turning on each other. The conversation turns towards the major decisions released by the Supreme Court in its final day of its term. Notably, the Court ruled that mail in ballots can arrive after Election Day, despite the massive fraud associated with the practice. Lastly, Hanson discusses the large percentage of farmland being sold to foreign powers and the immigration crisis that still plagues the country. WATCH NOW: Sacred Honor: The Declaration That Defines a Nation Premieres TONIGHT, July 2, at 8:30pm ET👉 https://youtu.be/O1d3gn_H8ow Allegiance Gold - Visit http://protectwithvictor.com/ to learn about a special Liberty Offer. Pepperdine School of Public Policy - visit https://go.pepperdine.edu/dailysignal to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Observed July 30, 2026.
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