Bill Kristol on Churchill, COVID, and Fate of Conservatism

TL;DR

The host discusses the significance of 9/11, the devastating impact of the coronavirus, and the failure of American conservatism under Trump.

Transcript

welcome to the bulwark podcast i'm charlie sykes it is september 11th 2020 hard to imagine that is 19 years ago that america was attacked and we lost uh 2977 americans um as i mentioned in my newsletter this morning you know we vowed never to forget but the reality is that we lost more americans to the coronavirus last week and i worry that we've a... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The coronavirus death toll has surpassed that of 9/11, emphasizing the magnitude of the pandemic's impact.
• 🙈 The response to the pandemic lacks the national unity and shared purpose seen after 9/11.
• ❓ Trump's comparison of his response to the coronavirus to Churchill's handling of the Blitz is inaccurate and misleading.
• 🤨 American conservatism has failed to distance itself from Trump, raising questions about its integrity and principles.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the host compare the coronavirus death toll to 9/11?

The host points out that more Americans died from the coronavirus in a single week than in the 9/11 attacks, highlighting the significant loss and the need to remember it.

Q: How does the host and guest reflect on the national unity after 9/11?

They recall the heroism of first responders and the shared grief and purpose that brought the country together, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and preserving that sense of unity.

Q: How does the guest compare Trump's response to the coronavirus to Winston Churchill's leadership during WWII?

The guest criticizes Trump's comparison to Churchill, highlighting the stark contrast in their leadership styles and their approaches to rallying the country in times of crisis.

Q: Has American conservatism effectively died under Trump?

The guest argues that real-existing American conservatism has become an accomplice, apologist, and enabler of Trump's unconservative, illiberal, and authoritarian tendencies.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The host reflects on the 19th anniversary of 9/11 and compares the tragedy and unity of that time to the current fragmented response to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Bill Kristol shares his experience of 9/11 and discusses the national unity and heroism displayed during the aftermath.

• The conversation shifts to the coronavirus and the Trump administration's downplaying of the severity. They discuss the lack of national unity and shared purpose, contrasting it with the response after 9/11.