What is the antidote to Trump Derangement Syndrome?
Studying Brexit Fatigue, Orban Exhaustion, and Netanyahu Nihilism with the Two Matts may give some clues or it may lead to total despair
When Keir Starmer says I'm prepared to be unpopular, great, but do something that really pisses somebody off and that takes the country forward. Don't just piss everybody off generally. Piss somebody off because you're doing something that takes the country forward.
Such is the Wisdom of Matt Kelly, Founder of the New European.
In today’s episode of Disorder (listen here AND YES I MEAN YOU Stephanie and all others WHO READ my substack EMAILS AND yet bizarrely DON’T LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ), Jason is joined by Matt Kelly and Matt d’Ancona – the hosts of The New European’s ‘The Two Matts’ podcast.
This troika of nearly suicidal depression continues the ongoing Post-Mortem autopsy taking place across all media and households globally. How could liberal elites have had eight and half years to prepare for the twenty thousand tonne train barrelling down the tracks right at them and not been able to take sufficient evasive action? Who are these clowns? Do they deserve what is coming? What can studying years of Brexit Fatigue, Orban Exhaustion, and Netanyahu Nihilism, teach us about both how this Trumpian travesty has happened and the likely disorderly evolution of peak Neopopulism in America? And what is the antidote to Trump Derangement Syndrome? Jason needs a double dose.
The Depressed Troika discuss the abysmal state of the world and Keir Starmer’s inability to lead with vision.
They review and assess the rise of neopopulism in both the UK and the US. The conclusion is that the goose is cooked. Complacency and a lack of bold messaging has led to the evisceration of the centre-left globally. Jason even questions if he is of the centre-left anymore, concluding he may simply be a disillusioned and increasingly radical centrist. While the Two Matts share bon mot about recent horrific developments in Britain, Jason explores some lessons from Hungary and Israel, which may possibly shed some light on the likely future trajectory of neopopulism in America. Delving briefly into the shocking and depressing cabinet appointments trickling out of MAGA world, the Two Matts and Jason also reflect on the social legacy of the Trump era and its lasting impact on Western political discourse. In place of Ordering the Disorder (which may no longer be possible as Disorder has already won), The Two Matts answer lightening round questions about the most macabre moments of Trump-iness and some of the humorous aspects of the challenges ahead.
Or listen here, no excuses…
Or returning to the words of Matt Kelly answering Jason’s question ‘What possible excuse could there be [for the Democrats] to not have adopted more radical proposals either economically or ideologically’?:
Well, I mean, I think abject complacency has been the theme of the 21st century so far. And I think if there's a silver lining to this very dark, oppressive cloud that's just appeared on the horizon, it's that that has been completely cracked open now. And there's no, there's no illusion anymore, no delusion anymore that we are in an existential battle for what we see as a progressive future for, I mean, these sentiments almost sound Trumpian, but a progressive future for Western civilization. You know, it's, we are really at a crossroads. - Of course complacency, but I'm trying to push a little bit here. We in the establishment and in the chattering classes must bear some kind of responsibility, but I put it up with our leaders and media professionals even more. What is it about Hillary and Kamala and their campaigns and Jake Sullivan and Huma Abedin that they were unable to come up with a compelling offering when now they're fully aware of the nature of the challenge?
And because they failed this challenge what do we end up with? Republican neo-Jesus:
And for our paid subscribers some more bon mot coming out of the episode and some words on Pete Hegesth (who we will discuss more on next week’s episode):
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