Introducing Debating Donald…

Jordan -

I think you know I’m pretty forlorn about President Trump and the way things have played out. Maybe more depressing is that there wasn’t an immediate realization of my dream that Trump would be so outrageous as to unite Left/Right against him. Far from that, the degree to which our national divides persist — and maybe grows (!) — is a source of even more anxiety to me.

I suppose it’s fitting that we engage during this politically fraught time. That first year as co-workers (and friends) was the infamous 2000 Bush/Gore election. Back then, we both were eager to defend the orthodox status quo of each party. Today, you identify as a libertarian, and I as a pretty fierce independent. Yet given our political options, we still seem always to return to our respective Left/Right “corners” to defend/attack.

While I know you are not an explicit advocate of Trump or his actions, you’ve said you understand and can defend them. In the years since we initially worked together, you’ve become one of the leading voices in direct-to-consumer marketing (yay infomercials!). Since persuasion and psychology are at the base of your work, it will be helpful as we discuss what’s unfolding. Similarly, your background as a trained journalist will inform a favorite topic in our chats to date — your skepticism of the media and their narratives. I’m sure this will all inform your perspective as a Trump “defender.”

Most discussions I see are either pro or anti-Trump and anything not fitting these worldviews is looked upon with suspicion. I thought a nice contribution would be to throw it all into a blender. As two friends who have supported each other through the years, there’s a ton of goodwill and respect for us to tap into.

So here we are. In an era of fake news, socialism, fascism, and general hysteria — can two peeps find understanding, common ground, and rational discussion?

surya

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Surya,

To answer your question first: I think we will definitely find common ground, but perhaps unexpectedly so. That’s because when we cut through the misinformation and bias, much of what everyone else is talking about will fall by the wayside.

I’m glad you mentioned rationality. That’s my main mission: To defend rational thinking and present alternate perspectives, not necessarily to defend President Trump or Rightist positions. Yet I readily admit that I approach issues from the right side of the spectrum. When we met, I was a staunch conservative. I had a picture of Newt Gingrich on my wall. It was put there with humorous intent, but I was definitely a fan of his “Republican Revolution.” My real hero was William F. Buckley, editor of The National Review, and I was also a regular Rush Limbaugh listener.

What moved me away from conservatism was the simple realization that I believed in freedom in every context. Conservatives, you see, only really believe in economic freedom. When it comes to personal freedom, they are all about government control — what you can watch, what you can smoke, who you can marry, etc. That’s not me. I believe people should be as lightly regulated as markets, and that makes me a classic libertarian.

Let me tell you, though, it’s not easy. I had much more support for my views when I was a conservative. There were more media sources that reflected my bias, for example. My political candidates also had a realistic shot at winning the White House! Yet I’m glad I arrived here, and I think my views will help us in our new mission because being a libertarian often forces you to think outside of the Left/Right box.

That brings me back to President Trump. He is definitely not a libertarian. We do not see eye to eye on many of his policy positions (e.g. tariffs, walls). However, I’m also a fierce patriot who served proudly in the U.S. Army, so President Trump speaks to me when he assumes a pro-American stance or takes any kind of bold, aggressive action as a leader. That is to say: I understand and respect ‘Alpha Male’ leadership.

Similarly, I know your personal experiences will impact how you perceive all of this. I am referring specifically to your time with Trump while filming season six of The Apprentice, and your year campaigning for Congress as a Democrat in Ohio. While there’s no shortage of critical takes on President Trump, I’ll be curious to see how these experiences have influenced your point of view.

It’s going to be an exciting ride! Looking forward to it.

Jordan