America's Great Divide: Frank Luntz Interview | FRONTLINE

Frank Luntz is a strategist and pollster who has worked on behalf of the Republican Party for nearly three decades.

Luntz's candid, full interview was conducted with FRONTLINE during the making of the two-part January 2020 documentary series “America's Great Divide: From Obama to Trump.”

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This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore the transcript and interactive version of this interview, and others, on the FRONTLINE website:

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Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation, the Park Foundation, The John and Helen Glessner Family Trust, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation.

[frontline]

This interview was conducted with FRONTLINE during the making of our two-part documentary series “America's Great Divide.”

[robinhooduk]

these interviews are amazing, glad they put them out unedited, they are much better than all cut up into a directors narrative spin on a "documentary series".

[kurtceres]

The greatest thing about this individual is his ability to see both sides. Most people choose a side and then dig in, completely unwilling to see the other side's perspective.

[javierosorio]

Every thing is on point, with this interview. I’m 44 years old, this Frank person has explained what we all have been thinking to this day.

[subway]

He hits all the right notes. As a lefty who is also from the middle of the country, it shocks me sometimes how little cable news people seem to know about the heartland. Also love how harsh he was when talking about social media - it is LITERALLY rotting us from the inside. It gets worse and worse with time.

[justmyopinion]

Great interview. I'm binge watching all the videos in this FRONTLINE series. They have all been excellent---a wonderful way to pass time during the coronavirus lockdown.

[atrejunl]

thank you PBS for posting these long form interviews. enthralling stuff

[murderinc.hunting]

"Why is everyone taking my money to save themselves, when I need saving?"
Spot on

[page-turner]

I am 84 years old, always politically informed, and I, too, despair and have for some time. But it isn’t just politics or the news media or social media. It is the culture. Civility, manners, consideration for the opinions of others, those are things we used to have but have largely disappeared. Actually, most nations have a pretty short shelf life and in my opinion the USA is dangerously close to being over. “A house divided against itself cannot stand...”.

[kittysawtelle]

One year later and mr Luntz’ insight was a bullseye. He’s the only one who has been willing to tell it, besides Chris hedges..thx you mr luntz..and I am a huge liberal. I have not wanted to be here for the last 4 years..knowing this would/was happening before our eyes. Almost moved to Mexico, then Spain..now Canada I hope..it’s closer than New Zealand! Americans ignore things till it’s too late..

[tlockerk]

"They don't SEE THESE AMERICANS". And we became his 'invisible shield'. Perfect.

[emmabovary]

I don’t hate any fellow American. I do hate the constant barrage of lies, accusations and stifling time wasters who get rich because of their position.

[johnr]

I've watched a fair amount of Frontline interviews that are used to put together the program it was a part of. Not sure I've yet seen one as profound or sobering as this one.

[jjjacks]

A must watch for republicans and democrats

[regibaldroger]

It is so good you post and show these videos without commercial breaks. This is also so much better than MSM whether you are liberal or conservative. Kudos to frontline and smart comments here.

[patromo]

I love Frank, and I'm left leaning. In every forum I've heard him speak, he is always passionate, thoughtful, and realistic.

[digiwhale]

Wow, this was one of the most insightful and touching pieces of journalism i have ever had an opportunity to witness. Thank you PBS and more importantly, thank you Frank Luntz. You still are a true american patriot and i will forever remember you as one. I'm appalled at the comments under this video and they represent everything Frank speaks out about. Its extremely saddening, that even after watching this, people don't wake up and realize the consequences of their destructive opinions. I'm here to build a better world, and i'll be the first to rebuild after the literal feces hits the fan.

[Eliezer]

The truth is we are in a cold civil war right now in this country.

[jmsiener]

Life long Democrat here but I’ve always appreciated Frank’s perspective. Thanks for the long form.

[Thats_my_opinion_so_chill]

His predictions during the last minute - chillingly accurate.