Michael Tracey, Matt Taibbi, Walter Kirn on the RNC, Trump, and More [53:35 | JUL 17 24 | Glenn Greenwald]

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17751241

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Summary

1. The speaker discusses the concept of divine intervention in relation to former President Trump and how it has shaped the mythology around him.
2. They mention a prophecy about Trump being saved from a bullet and how it has been interpreted by different groups, such as Evangelical Republicans.
3. The discussion also touches on Trump's image among Evangelical voters, his decision-making at events, and the idea of him being an imperfect vessel chosen to fulfill God's will.
4. The conversation delves into the complexities of Trump's image and the impact of these narratives on his political standing.
5. In this part of the video transcript, the discussion revolves around the relationship between Trump and evangelical voters, suggesting that Trump no longer feels the need to cater to Christian conservatives as he did in 2016.
6. The conversation also touches on Trump's strategies in 2016, including his attempts to appeal to African-American voters and the choice of his running mate.
7. The selection of [J. D. Vance] as a VP pick is debated, with some questioning its potential electoral advantages and whether it truly expands Trump's support base.
8. The conversation delves into the behind-the-scenes lobbying for different VP candidates and the implications of various choices on Trump's populist and nationalist image.
9. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the ongoing debates and considerations within Trump's campaign team regarding strategic decisions for the upcoming election.
10. The video discusses the impact of the vice presidential pick on people's voting habits, noting that it is usually negligible.
11. However, the news that a top California Venture Capital firm, Andreessen Horowitz, will be donating to the Trump campaign signals to Silicon Valley that it's acceptable to support Trump.
12. The speaker believes that Trump's VP pick, [J. D. Vance], who comes from the tech world, has helped solidify support for Trump in that sector.
13. The video also touches on the importance of Trump's VP pick in relation to his supporters' beliefs about the Deep State, with the speaker expressing skepticism about the populist nationalism narrative.
14. Additionally, the video mentions [J. D. Vance]'s political adaptability and past stances on issues like Ukrainian funding.
15. The speaker also discusses Trump's efforts to secure funding for Ukraine and mentions key individuals involved in the process.
16. The speaker discusses the political dynamics surrounding Ukraine funding and how it influenced Republicans to align with Trump's influence.
17. They emphasize the importance of evaluating Trump's actual record rather than wishful projections, highlighting his actions as defense secretary and approach to foreign policy.
18. The conversation delves into Trump's negotiation style, lack of clear policy positions, and contrast with traditional political thinking.
19. The discussion also touches on digital censorship efforts within the Department of Defense and the potential impact of narrative control initiatives.
20. The speaker discusses the potential impact of Trump voters believing that the Trump Administration will not meddle in domestic politics as the security state has in the past.