Roundtable - Is Trump A Fascist?

Few forerunners of the modern conservative movement are as important, little known, and underappreciated as Frank Meyer.  Meyer possessed the IT factor that made women want him and men want to be associated with him.  He used that in his early years to advance Marxism in England—building an impressive Marxist organization that had the attention of UK’s government, dating the Prime Minister’s daughter while calling for the violent overthrow of the Prime Minister’s government, and becoming a national celebrity as the nation debated whether he should be exiled.  But later in life, when he turned to the Right, that same charisma was used to help William F. Buckley build a fledgling conservative movement that ultimately changed the politics of the nation.   Joining Josh to discuss this most remarkable life is Daniel J. Flynn, author of his latest book: The Man Who Invented Conservatism: The Unlikely Life of Frank S. Meyer.   About Daniel J. Flynn From spectator.org Daniel J. Flynn, a senior editor of The American Spectator, serves as a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution for the 2024-2025 academic year. His books include Cult City: Harvey Milk, Jim Jones, and 10 Days That Shook San Francisco (ISI Books, 2018), Blue Collar Intellectuals: When the Enlightened and the Everyman Elevated America (ISI Books, 2011), A Conservative History of the American Left (Crown Forum, 2008), and Intellectual Morons: How Ideology Makes Smart People Fall for Stupid Ideas (Crown Forum, 2004). In 2025, he releases his magnum opus, The Man Who Invented Conservatism: The Unlikely Life of Frank S. Meyer. He splits time between city Massachusetts and cabin Vermont.    About The Book Frank Meyer devised the blueprint for American conservatism—fusionism—championed by Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and so many to this day. Yet long before and far away, Communists in London chanted “Free Frank Meyer!” to block the deportation of a comrade who was their cause célèbre. Those fervent Marxists could never have predicted that their hero would one day provide the intellectual energy necessary to propel conservatives to political power.    The Man Who Invented Conservatism unveils one of the twentieth century’s great untold stories: a Communist turned conservative, an antiwar activist turned soldier, and a free-love enthusiast turned family man whose big idea captured the American Right. This intellectual migration coincided with a clandestine affair inside 10 Downing Street, service as a lieutenant to the man who later constructed the Berlin Wall, and neighborly chats with the pop-star and poet celebrity next door. Present at the creation of National Review, Meyer helped launch Joan Didion’s writing career. From H. G. Wells to Henry Kissinger to Milton Friedman, he rubbed shoulders with everyone who mattered.   Having discovered Meyer’s previously unexamined correspondence in an old soda warehouse, Daniel J. Flynn documents this saga in The Man Who Invented Conservatism, exposing the rivalries, jealousies, friendships, and fights that shaped the movement and what it means to be a conservative today.  

Some Americans warn Trump's antics in this second term are flirting with fascism while others say that's totally whacked. So which is it? Is Trump a fascist or nothing of the kind? Join our livestream as our panelists engage over the topic. Panelists include: Josh Lewis (host), Mike Taylor, Blake Fischer, John Giokaris, Steve Phelps, and Kent Straith

Steven Hayward has been involved in so many conservative institutions and organizations it may be simpler to list where he hasn’t left a mark.  This conservative man-about-town joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis as they unravel what it means to be a conservative, how Straussians might make peace with Burke, and why Josh shouldn’t be so critical of the Trump administration.   About Steven Hayward Steven F. Hayward is a fellow of the Public Law and Policy Program at Berkeley Law and visiting professor in School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University.   Steven frequently writes on a wide range of current topics, including environmentalism, law, economics, and public policy for publications including National Review, Reason, The Weekly Standard, The American Spectator, The Public Interest, the Claremont Review of Books, and the Policy Review at the Hoover Institution.  His newspaper articles have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Chicago Tribune, and dozens of other daily newspapers.   He is the author of a two-volume narrative history of Ronald Reagan and his effect on American political life, The Age of Reagan: The Fall of the Old Liberal Order, 1964-1980, and The Age of Reagan: The Conservative Counter-Revolution, 1980-1989.  His other books include Index of Leading Environmental Indicators; The Almanac of Environmental Trends; Mere Environmentalism: A Biblical Perspective on Humans and the Natural World, Churchill on Leadership; Greatness: Reagan, Churchill, and the Making of Extraordinary Leaders; Patriotism Is Not Enough; and M. Stanton Evans: Conservative Wit, Apostle of Freedom.   Steven has also served as visiting fellow professor, scholar, or lecturer at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), Ashland University, Mont Pelerin Society, Pacific Research Institute, The Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, Georgetown University, The Fund for American Studies, and University of Colorado Boulder.   His blog, powerlineblog.com, is one of the nation’s most-read political websites.  

The MAGA coalition is comprised of a wide spectrum whose sole unifying idea is Trump himself. But what happens when that precarious foundation begins to fray? Have recent events shown cracks in the MAGA world that could quickly fracture, or is this all a tempest in a teapot? Join Saving Elephant panelists during our livestream to make sense of it all. Panelists include: Josh Lewis (host), Ryan Rogers, Destry Edwards, Scott Howard, and Christopher Chesny

Younger Americans—regardless of their political affiliations—are increasingly supportive focusing on environmental and conservation issues.  But while there may be renewed unity on recognizing the importance of such issues, the policies advocated by the Left and Right continue to differ.  The American Conservation Coalition (ACC) is a group of young Americans on the political Right standing up for action over activism in their approach to environmental reform.  Joining Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is ACC’s COO, Stephen Perkins, to discuss how economic prosperity and a clean environment don’t necessarily have to be mutually exclusive, how younger Americans differ from past generations on environmental questions, what’s up with climate change, the prospects of a nuclear-powered future, and much more.   About Stephen Perkins From acc.eco   Stephen Perkins is a conservative strategist and Chief Operating Officer of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC). He oversees ACC’s national operations and coordinates strategy among its grassroots, grasstops, communications, and administrative departments.   Stephen’s career has centered on community, leadership, and mobilization. One of ACC’s original volunteers, he joined the organization full-time in 2021 as the Vice President of Grassroots Strategy, leading field operations and growing membership to more than 40,000 young Americans. Before joining ACC, he was a partner at a digital marketing firm, assisting more than 50 political and advocacy clients in building successful digital programs over three election cycles. Earlier in his career, he provided marketing, advocacy, and leadership strategy to several political and educational organizations.   Stephen’s work and writing have been featured in publications such as Fox News, The Hill, Real Clear Energy, Townhall, the Washington Examiner, and The Dallas Morning News.   He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, with a concentration in political leadership and civic engagement. A proud Texan, Stephen resides in the Hill Country with his dog, Hudson, and enjoys hiking, camping, hunting, Texas country music, and volunteering at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.  

On July 6 Saving Elephants assembled an august team of commentators to commemorate the advent of the United States turning the big 2-4-9!  With only one year to go until the nation is 250 years old, the group reflects on the foundational ideas of America, whether she's succeed or failed at those aspirations, and what the future holds for this most exceptional of nations.   Meet the panelists:   Lura Forcum   Lura Forcum leads the Independent Center, the nation’s go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, representing those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless.   Lura holds a PhD in marketing and consumer psychology from Indiana University (Kelley School of Business). She’s studied social cognition and brands, focusing on the factors that lead consumers to respond to brands as if they were people and the outcomes of doing so.  Prior to becoming president of the Independent Center, Lura was the Director of Marketing and Communications at the State Policy Network.   Jeffery Tyler Syck From jtylersyck.com   Jeffery Tyler Syck is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pikeville.   Tyler’s academic research focuses on the development of American democracy and the history of political ideologies. He is the editor of the forthcoming book “A Republic of Virtue: The Political Essays of John Quincy Adams” and is completing a second book manuscript entitled “The Untold Origins of American Democracy.” This second book describes how the political debates between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson forever altered the republic created by the American founders – leaving behind an increasingly majoritarian democracy. His essays and articles on politics, philosophy, and history have appeared in several public facing publications including Law and Liberty, Persuasion, and the Louisville Courier-Journal. Tyler’s academic work has recently been published in the journal Pietas.   A native of Pike County Kentucky, Tyler’s political thought and writing are strongly shaped by the culture of Appalachia. With their tightly knit communities, the mountains of Appalachia have instilled in him a love of all things local. As such his writing most often advocates for a rejuvenation of local democracy and a renaissance of rural culture.   Tyler received a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts in Government from the University of Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History from Morehead State University where he graduated with honors.   About Eric Kohn From americasfuture.org   Eric Kohn is Chief Executive Officer at America’s Future, the premier nationwide network of liberty-minded young leaders. For more than 10 years, he led the organization’s Chicago chapter. Prior to joining AF, Eric was Chief Marketing Officer at Empower Illinois. He has also previously served as Director of Marketing & Communications at the Acton Institute, and Director of Community Management at the Illinois Policy Institute. He was also the Founder and CEO of Curious Task Strategies, a public affairs consulting firm. Eric is a producer of the award-winning film The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom, the 2022 documentary feature from the Acton Institute. From 2019 to 2021, he co-hosted Sources with Knowledge along with Joe Kaiser on AM 560 The Answer in Chicago. From 2022 to 2023, he was the interim host of the nationally syndicated radio program Beyond the Beltway with Bruce DuMont, on which he was also a regular program guest and guest host. He previously hosted The Eric Kohn Program on AM 1530 WJJG, and has guest-hosted the nationally syndicated The Guy Benson Show, Illinois Watchdog Radio, and Chicago’s Morning Answer. Eric grew up in Belleville, Ill., and is a graduate of Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. He lives in Grand Rapids, Mich., with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he enjoys (or attempts to enjoy) watching New York Rangers hockey, which he also writes and podcasts about for Blueshirt Banter.  

The housing market today is in an increasingly unsustainable paradox: younger Americans need houses to be more affordable so that they can become homeowners.  Meanwhile, homeowners and the entire U.S. economy need houses to rise in price to make them a secure and profitable investment.  Thus, we are trapped between making homeownership increasingly difficult or sinking the economy.  Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is joined by president of Strong Towns Chuck Marohn to discuss his latest book: Escaping the Housing Trap.   About Chuck Marohn From strongtowns.org Charles Marohn (known as “Chuck” to friends and colleagues) is the founder and president of Strong Towns. With decades of experience as a land use planner and civil engineer, Marohn is on a mission to help cities and towns become stronger and more prosperous. He spreads the Strong Towns message through in-person presentations, the Strong Towns Podcast, and his books and articles. In recognition of his efforts and impact, Planetizen named him one of the 15 Most Influential Urbanists of all time in 2017 and 2023.   Marohn grew up on a small farm in central Minnesota. On his 17th birthday, he joined the Minnesota National Guard, which he served in for nine years. During this time, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota. He later returned to his alma mater to complete a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning. As well as being passionate about building a stronger America, he loves playing music, is an obsessive reader, and religiously follows his favorite baseball team, the Minnesota Twins.   Marohn and his wife live with their two daughters in their hometown of Brainerd, Minnesota.  

What if the surest way to reduce the harmful effects of self-serving politicians in Washington D.C. is to have more of them?  Joining Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is Jeff Mayhugh to explain how the artificial “cap” the nation put on the number of representatives in the U.S. House almost a century ago has made government less representative and responsive.  Returning to the Founding Father’s understanding of how people might best be represented by their leaders will require a lot of hard work, but it has the potential to benefit all Americans all across the political divide.   About Jeff Mayhugh Jeff Mayhugh is a Christian, Husband, Father of five, Political Theorist, and Poet. He is the Founding Editor of Politics and Parenting, Vice President of No Cap Fund, and a Contributor to The Hill.  You can follow Jeff on Twitter @Jmayhugh28.  

What if the real division in America isn’t between Republicans and Democrats, Red States vs Blue States, or liberals and conservatives but between the American people and a small group of the political elite whose function is to divide the rest of us?  Tony Woodlief joins Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis to discuss how we may not be as divided as we think and how federalism holds the solution to many of the policy battles of the moment.   About Tony Woodlief Excerpts from Tony’s bio in the State Policy Network and on his author page:   Tony Woodlief is State Policy Network’s Senior Executive Vice President and Senior Fellow for SPN’s Center for Practical Federalism. He helps oversee SPN operations, supports SPN’s president in her guidance of the leadership team, and helps ensure the organization’s projects and programs measure success, evolve as SPN grows, and maintain alignment with our vision and mission.   Tony previously served as president of the Bill of Rights Institute, and before that the Market-Based Management Institute. He has also served as president of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. An alumnus of the University of North Carolina, he has a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan, and an MFA from Wichita State University. Tony has appeared in media outlets including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, National Review, and C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.   Tony Woodlief is also an author. His short fiction has appeared in Image, Reckon Review, Ruminate, Dappled Things, and elsewhere. His story “Name” received a Pushcart Honorable Mention in 2010, and was included in Image Journal’s 25th anniversary anthology. Tony’s spiritual memoir, Somewhere More Holy, was listed among Image’s top ten works of 2010. His most recent book is the novel We Shall Not All Sleep.   Tony is also the author of I, Citizen: A Blueprint for Reclaiming American Self-Governance. In writing I, Citizen, Tony conducted extensive research on American public opinion to find out what Americans believe and uncover the source of their political animosities. Through his research, Tony discovered that America is more united than divided, despite what the pundits tell us, and traced the source of our perceived animosity to a small minority of dedicated partisans within the political establishment of Washington, DC. I, Citizen tells the story of how these partisans have created the myth of a divided America and how they’ve concentrated power in the hands of unelected bureaucrats and partisan elites, and offers practical solutions for how we can reclaim our right to self-governance by focusing on solutions and commonalities closer to home.  

The 2024 presidential election witnessed a historic number of independent voters—more independents voted than Democrats and they came close to surpassing Republicans.  It would seem that now is the time for those who are dissatisfied with both parties to dismantle the two-party duopoly of American government.  And yet, the Republican and Democratic parties collectively control all branches of governments at all levels.  Why is that?  What would it mean for Americans to embrace an “independent” politics and how likely is that to occur?  What do independent voters actually want?  Joining Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is president of the Independent Center Lura Forcum to explore these questions.   About Lura Forcum Lura Forcum leads the Independent Center, the nation’s go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, representing those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless.   Lura holds a PhD in marketing and consumer psychology from Indiana University (Kelley School of Business). She’s studied social cognition and brands, focusing on the factors that lead consumers to respond to brands as if they were people and the outcomes of doing so.  Prior to becoming president of the Independent Center, Lura was the Director of Marketing and Communications at the State Policy Network.