The American Mind Podcast

<p>Under the nose of the Tim Walz regime, hundreds of millions of Minnesotan tax dollars have been defrauded by an array of shell organizations sending money overseas, in some cases to terrorist groups. That the ringleaders are primarily of Somali descent makes progressives uncomfortable and help’s Trump’s case against mass migration. This week, the guys discuss COVID-era abuses of welfare, consider immigration’s rolling effect on national security, and consider Trump’s handling of the economy amidst a potential affordability crisis. Plus: more cultural recommendations!</p><p>Recommended:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-real-clash-of-civilizations/"><strong>The Real Clash of Civilizations</strong></a>, by Nathan Pinkoski</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/leo-strauss-and-american-foreign-policy/"><strong>Leo Strauss and American Foreign Policy</strong></a>, by Thomas G. West</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/democracy-and-the-bush-doctrine/"><strong>Democracy and the Bush Doctrine</strong></a>, by Charles R. Kesler</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3KJOvgC"><strong><em>House of Leaves</em></strong></a>, by Mark Z. Danielewski</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at <a href="https://claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is being accused of war crimes after allegedly making a so-called “double-tap” strike against Venezuelan drug traffickers. But it may just be a double distraction, allowing critics of Trump both to avoid more serious questions about immigration policy and to pull attention from the tragic shooting of two National Guards in DC by an Afghani national. This week, the guys are joined again by Matthew Peterson to discuss US operations in South America and the Left’s unsubtle hints that soldiers might need to disobey orders. Plus: Kash Patel as FBI Director: the right man for the wrong job?</p><p>Recommended:</p><p>“<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/11/what-brought-the-trump-administration-to-the-brink-with-the-venezuelan-regime/"><strong>What Brought the Trump Administration to the Brink with the Venezuelan Regime</strong></a>,” by Joshua Treviño & Melissa Ford</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4ar3Xsk"><strong><em>Never Enough: America’s Limitless Welfare State</em></strong></a>, by William Voegeli</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ouramericanqueen.com/"><strong><em>Our American Queen: The Rise and Ruin of Kate Chase</em></strong></a>, by Thomas Klingenstein</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at <a href="https://claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>A recent White House meeting between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani gave the president a chance to flip the script while publicly debasing the rhetorical currency of the “anti-fascist” Left. In this special holiday episode, the guys are joined by Matthew Peterson to discuss the president’s latest strategy, and answer listener questions. On the docket are emerging factions within the conservative movement, federal leniency on Antifa post-domestic-terrorist designation, and more. Plus: The crew gives thanks and share holiday plans, antics, eats—and cultural recommendations!</p><p>Recommended reading:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4ag1QHM"><strong><em>A House for the Word</em></strong></a>, by Richard Hooker</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at <a href="https://claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>In the wake of a bad election for Republicans, the Trump Administration seems to be reeling a bit as it looks for a new direction heading into Trump’s second year of this term. Yet time remains to step away from the ledge, button up and course correct before midterms. This week, Matthew Peterson joins the guys as they unravel dissatisfactions on the right and note potential MAGA comebacks. Meanwhile, Vanity Fair West Coast editor Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir generates a seedy sort of buzz as alleged details emerge about her sexts to RFK Jr., in case you were worried there might be depths to which journalists would not sink. Plus: Another round of cultural recommendations!</p><p>Reading recommendations:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/home/post/p-179131046"><strong>"Part 1: How I Found Out," by Ryan Lizza</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45392/ulysses"><strong>“Ulysses,” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4i6pA2V"><strong><em>King of Dogs</em></strong></a><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4i6pA2V"><strong>, by Andrew Edwards</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4pkXBz8"><strong><em>Project Hail Mary</em></strong></a><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4pkXBz8"><strong>, by Andy Weir</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://archive.org/details/per_treatise-on-justification_treatise-on-justification-_john-davenant_1844_1"><strong><em>Treatise on Justification</em></strong></a><a target="_blank" href="https://archive.org/details/per_treatise-on-justification_treatise-on-justification-_john-davenant_1844_1"><strong>, by John Davenant</strong></a></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at <a href="https://claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>A bill to reopen the government has at last passed the Senate. It includes major concessions from Democrats on health care subsidies, earning moderate Democrats the ire of progressives. As the shutdown reaches its forty-second day, hosts Spencer and Mike sit down with guest Matthew Peterson to discuss the government’s perennial inability to form a budget. Elsewhere, election tallies are in: Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral race, the election for Virginia AG went to Jay Jones, and California voters approved Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan. The tide of political battle remains yet uncertain as midterms loom. Plus: who planted the January 6 pipe bombs? And more cultural recommendations!</p><p>Recommended Reading:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/former-capitol-police-officer-a-forensic-match-for-jan-6-pipe-bomber-sources-say"><strong>Former Capitol Police Officer a Forensic Match for Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber, Sources Say</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://americanmind.org/salvo/2025s-message-to-the-gop-get-back-to-basics/"><strong>2025’s Message to the GOP: Get Back to Basics</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3WMl28f"><strong>A Brief History of the Samurai, by Jonathan Clements</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4qV8idh"><strong>Status and Culture, by W. David Marx</strong></a></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Claremont Digital Plus at <a href="https://claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">claremontinstitute.substack.com/subscribe</a>