Why Graham Platner’s Dropped Out Now, Hitting Iran Harder, Europe’s ‘Breakup’ Talk & Smithsonian Rewrite

In this Friday news roundup, Victor Davis Hanson and Sami Winc discuss Maine Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner “suspending” his campaign amid multiple allegations and party maneuvering, arguing Democrats only abandon candidates when polls turn, and they one of their own are hurt. They shift to Iran, endorsing renewed, disproportionate U.S. strikes to deter attacks and disrupt Iran’s trade routes to China and Russia while rejecting any deployment of U.S. ground troops. Hanson dismisses reports of European leaders plotting a U.S. “breakup” as empty posturing driven by defense dependence and trade surpluses. The episode also critiques DEI-driven cultural narratives, including casting and feminist criticism surrounding a new “The Odyssey” film, and supports Trump’s push to redirect Smithsonian exhibits away from what Hanson calls politicized pseudo-history toward a fuller account of American achievements and complexity, ending with viewer comments and broader criticism of Democratic messaging on energy, crime, and immigration. My Patriot Supply - Go to https://www.PREPAREWITHVDH.COM right now to get their best selling 3-Month Emergency Food Supply for $100 off.   Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://www.JoinADF.com/HANSON or text HANSON to 83848 to give today. Every dollar you give will be DOUBLED thanks to a special matching grant, while funds last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices