How the Media Created J.D. Vance. Plus, the Anointing of Donald Trump
2Digest
This podcast delves into the growing influence of the "New Right" within the Republican Party, particularly through the lens of JD Vance, Trump's VP pick. The episode examines Vance's political evolution, his ties to Silicon Valley, and the role of prophecy in Trump's political success. It explores Vance's background, his book "Hillbilly Elegy," and his transformation from a critic of Trump to a fervent supporter. The episode also examines Vance's connections to Peter Thiel and the "New Right" movement, highlighting its key beliefs, including a deep distrust of the left's influence in institutions and a desire for significant societal change. The podcast further explores the role of prophecy and charismatic Christianity in Trump's political success, examining how Trump has embraced this rhetoric and how it has fueled his supporters' belief in his divine purpose.
Outlines
The Rise of the New Right and the MAGA Movement
This episode explores the growing influence of the "New Right" within the Republican Party, particularly through the lens of JD Vance, Trump's VP pick. The episode examines Vance's political evolution, his ties to Silicon Valley, and the role of prophecy in Trump's political success.
JD Vance: From Hillbilly Elegy to Trump's Right Hand
The episode delves into JD Vance's background, his book "Hillbilly Elegy," and his transformation from a critic of Trump to a fervent supporter. It explores his connections to Peter Thiel and the "New Right" movement.
The New Right: A Fringe Movement with Growing Influence
The episode defines the "New Right" movement, highlighting its key beliefs, including a deep distrust of the left's influence in institutions and a desire for significant societal change. It examines the role of Curtis Yarvin and Peter Thiel in shaping this movement.
Trump's Anointing: Prophecy and the Divine Mandate
The episode explores the role of prophecy and charismatic Christianity in Trump's political success. It examines how Trump has embraced this rhetoric and how it has fueled his supporters' belief in his divine purpose.
Keywords
JD Vance
JD Vance is an American author, venture capitalist, and politician. He is known for his book "Hillbilly Elegy," which explores the struggles of the white working class in Appalachia. He has become a prominent figure in the "New Right" movement and is now Trump's VP pick.
New Right
The "New Right" is a fringe movement within conservatism that is characterized by its extreme views, distrust of the left's influence in institutions, and desire for significant societal change. It often embraces nationalist and populist rhetoric.
Peter Thiel
Peter Thiel is a prominent venture capitalist and co-founder of PayPal. He is a major financial supporter of the "New Right" movement and has played a key role in shaping its ideology. He is known for his skepticism of democracy and his support for alternative forms of governance.
Prophecy
Prophecy is a religious concept that refers to the ability to foretell future events. In the context of this episode, it refers to the belief that God has chosen Donald Trump for a specific purpose and that his success is divinely ordained.
Charismatic Christianity
Charismatic Christianity is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. It often includes beliefs in miracles, healing, and speaking in tongues. Charismatic Christians are a significant force in American politics and have played a key role in Trump's rise to power.
Hillbilly Elegy
"Hillbilly Elegy" is a memoir by JD Vance that explores the struggles of the white working class in Appalachia. The book has been praised for its insights into the social and economic challenges facing this demographic.
Curtis Yarvin
Curtis Yarvin is a political theorist and blogger who is known for his radical views on governance and his influence on the "New Right" movement. He advocates for a return to a more hierarchical and authoritarian form of government.
Q&A
What is the "New Right" movement and how does it differ from traditional conservatism?
The "New Right" is a fringe movement within conservatism that is characterized by its extreme views, distrust of the left's influence in institutions, and desire for significant societal change. It often embraces nationalist and populist rhetoric, and its beliefs are often more radical than those of traditional conservatives.
How has JD Vance's political ideology evolved, and what role has Peter Thiel played in this evolution?
JD Vance initially criticized Trump but later became a fervent supporter. His political evolution has been influenced by Peter Thiel, a prominent venture capitalist who is a major financial supporter of the "New Right" movement. Thiel's skepticism of democracy and his support for alternative forms of governance have influenced Vance's thinking.
What is the role of prophecy in Trump's political success, and how has it shaped the beliefs of his supporters?
Prophecy and charismatic Christianity have played a significant role in Trump's political success. His supporters believe that God has chosen him for a specific purpose and that his success is divinely ordained. This belief has fueled their passion and intensity in supporting him, and it has also led to a growing acceptance of fringe religious ideas within evangelical Christianity.
Show Notes
At the Republican National Convention, Donald J. Trump named J.D. Vance as his pick for Vice President. On this week’s On the Media, hear how Vance went from liberal darling to MAGA leader, with a little help from a billionaire. Plus, meet the right-wing Christians who see the failed attempt on Trump’s life as evidence of his divine anointing by God.
[01:00 ] Host Brooke Gladstone charts the media’s role in shaping J.D. Vance's rise. Vance rose to fame as a liberal media darling who frequently lambasted Donald Trump after the publication of his blockbuster memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” to Trump’s VP pick and a new leader of the MAGA movement. Ian Ward, a reporter at Politico, and Simon van Zuylen-Wood, a staff writer at New York Magazine, speak to how Vance’s vision of America extends far beyond Trumpism.
[15:03 ] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Andrew Prokop, senior politics correspondent at Vox, about Vance’s roots in the so-called New Right, a scrappy but growing offshoot of conservatism that aims to seize and destroy societal institutions they believe are controlled by the left. Plus, John Herrman, tech columnist at New York Magazine, explains what Big Tech sees in MAGA.
[36:35 ] Brooke speaks with Matthew D. Taylor, author of the forthcoming book The Violent Take it by Force, about how the attempted assassination of Trump has amplified a subset of evangelicals who believe that prophecy foresaw the event. These right-wing Christians see Trump as an anointed candidate, saved by God.
Further reading / listening:
- The Radicalization of J.D. Vance by Simon van Zuylen-Wood
- 55 Things to Know About JD Vance, Trump’s VP Pick by Ian Ward
- J.D. Vance’s radical plan to build a government of Trump loyalists by Andrew Prokop
- Why Silicon Valley Elites Are Turning MAGA by John Herrman
- How the Assassination Attempt Has Ignited the Prophecy World by Matthew D. Taylor
- The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy by Matthew D. Taylor
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