Trump and the Iranians Deserve Each Other
Summary
Hosts David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson analyze the stalled US-Iran conflict, highlighting the economic impact of Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Trump’s disconnect from public sentiment. They discuss FBI Director Kash Patel’s defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic following reports of his misconduct and political loyalty. Finally, Yale historian Beverly Gage joins to explain her controversial report urging universities to refocus on their core academic mission to restore public trust.
Topics discussed
Intro, host banter, and sponsor reads
Analysis of the Iran conflict and failed negotiations
Economic impacts and military drone spending
Kash Patel's behavior and Atlantic lawsuit
Defamation strategy and political retribution
Interview on trust and reform in higher education
Cocktail chatter: Immigration and campus weather
Listener mail: AI spam and local wildlife
Outro, Slate Plus promo, and final ads
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