Glenn & John Spar over Trump, Gaza | Glenn Loury & John McWhorter | The Glenn Show

2:49 Mike Spooner wants to know how I came around to supporting Trump

8:14 Substack Reader wants to know if Trump’s reelection signals that we’re entering an era where “reason and common sense once again prevail.”

15:34 Michoel Stern senses that I’m becoming more isolationist, and that I don’t want America to be the world’s policeman. So what is the alternative?

22:41 Robert Odear asks if there is “an accepted metric for linguistic complexity,” and if there is one, whether linguistically complex societies also tend to be advanced societies.

28:58 Nancy wants to know if the triumph over “wokeness” represented by Trump’s election is being felt on campus.

32:53 Jonathan E. Burack wants to know why I haven’t responded to this review of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s The Message.

45:54 Pete Bradshaw asks what we think of the use of political slurs like “fascist,” “Hitler,” and “commie.”

51:02 Cara C. suggests that, while it was wrong for Democrats to use lawfare against Trump, it is acceptable for Republicans to use it against Democrats, if only to teach them a lesson.

Glenn Loury (Brown University, Manhattan Institute, Late Admissions) and John McWhorter (Columbia, New York Times, Lexicon Valley). Recorded December 1, 2024.

[hex]

Thank you for posting this for free, Dr. Loury.
You are helping to cultivate the next generation of scholars.

[JDF]

The way these two represent so many opposed objective views and remain friends should set an example for the entire nation.

[Traderbear]

I love watching John speak about linguistics. 😊

[yeahdude]

In John’s defense (for the first question), Trump and Elon did claim election fraud in PA before the outcome was realized. Unless that fact has been debunked, it was extremely likely Trump would have contested a defeat.

Denying that is just being irrationally charitable.

[fs]

Love these two super smart thoughtful guys. Especially enjoyed this discussion of world languages in this video. You guys are a national treasure, don't ever change.

[VincentFulco]

All the best this holiday season gentlemen. You are the best of the best in your respective fields. Much appreciated.

[strictlyroots]

Glenn's take on Israel surprises me. John poses the question: what should Israel do in the face of an enemy deeply dedicated to its destruction and the murder of it's people? Glenn evades the question and instead, in the manner of someone like Cenk Uygur, cries for the dead children. The war is a terrible tragedy but to lay all the blame on Israel is to not analyze the conflict in a serious way.

[glyyytch]

The fact that Glenn doesn't want to engage with John's question about Hamas is sad. I normally come down hard on John for his TDS, this time though Glenn is similarly out of pocket. He seemed to be lashing out at John because John doesn't agree with his underlying view of the situation at hand. I don't care if someone thinks what's going on over there is a genocide, self-defense, etc. I'm not taking sides here. The fact that Glenn is willing to ignore history and the goals of organizations like Hamas is so jarring due to the lack of logic though. He seems to understand that there is value in understanding the history of slavery and oppression in the history of the US even while acknowledging that such history isn't driving the current culture and status quo despite the efforts of woke activists. Somehow though he is unwilling to approach the Israel-Palestinian issue with the same rubric.

[AjaxDGonzo]

Glenn and John have blessed the dawgz today.

[jameswhelan]

Love you guys! I really hope your friendship survives the next four years. it’s a tribute to both of your integrity that I can even imagine such a thing being the case.

[lifeisimportantkate]

Thank you for this Q & A I enjoyed the response.

[JereKrischel]

John is much clearer eyed on the West Bank than Glenn - it's fascinating to see two incredibly intelligent people, each with their own blind spot, engaging with each other on their own weaknesses :). This is a great show :)

[kingsleyI.C]

Glenn is the goat 🐐 looking young and healthy. As a young black free thinker; you've changed my perspective. What a great pedagogy curve.

Please can you post your public speaking engagement(s)? Saw you in Minnesota last year; because you talked about speaking at a college in Minnesota. Thanks Glenn 😊.

[ChristinaChrisR]

What a nice surprise finding this. Thank you Glenn for posting this to us all to listen for free, and hope you both are well. And the team.

Also…and this I’ve been wanting to say for a long time! Something I’ve been thinking about every single time I listen to the podcast - almost always on audio - is that the lady introducing the show with a prerecorded message has the most remarkably lovely voice. It seems the message has been re-recorded lately, but still the same lady with the pleasant voice.

Thank you.

[istilljustwant]

it seems (not just from this episode) that an episode with John McWhorter & Ta-Nehisi Coates is overdue

[ColeOldham-si]

Fantastic Christmas sweater Glenn!

Thank you for all you do

[kasperm.r.guldberg]

Thank you for making this available! 🎉

[aaroncfriedman]

Thank you! I love listening to your episodes together. I do believe 2025 i will subscribe.

[missg]

Wow! I've never heard Glen interrupt John so much! That is telling. 38:13

[xDonJuanx]

I agree wholeheartedly with John on Israel and Palestine. I normally agree more with Glenn.