Ep. 1290 - Yes, They Hate The Country

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that America is being undermined by left-wing elites who denigrate national pride, recast the Founding as illegitimate, and push critical race theory through schools, media, and public institutions. Shapiro frames July 4th controversies, teachers’ unions, and cultural figures as evidence of a broader “post-American” trend that is polarizing society and indoctrinating children.

Main Topics: Declining American pride, especially among young adults (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro cites polling showing low patriotic sentiment among younger Americans and argues this reflects the influence of schools, media, and cultural institutions that portray the U.S. as fundamentally bad. July 4th attacks on the Founding and American identity (Priority: 5/5): He criticizes posts and statements from Cori Bush, Maxine Waters, NPR, and Alyssa Milano as examples of activists and institutions using Independence Day to condemn America rather than celebrate it. Critical race theory and the NEA (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro says the National Education Association is openly promoting CRT, the 1619 Project, and related “anti-American” frameworks in K-12 education nationwide. The 'post-American' cultural moment (Priority: 4/5): He describes a broader ideological shift in which elites treat America as irredeemably oppressive, compare it to failed states, and seek to replace its institutions and values from the ground up. Intersectionality as a status and power coalition (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro argues that cultural incentives reward people for joining an oppressed-victim coalition, citing public figures and identity claims as examples of trend-driven ideological conformity. Education policy and anti-CRT legislation (Priority: 4/5): He defends state laws restricting CRT-related instruction, arguing they protect children from ideological indoctrination and preserve foundational American principles in public schools. Identity politics and social conflict (Priority: 3/5): He uses examples like the We Spa protest and Michaela Kennedy Cuomo’s self-identification to argue that identity categories are proliferating and being used to gain social and political leverage.

Key Arguments: Young Americans’ low patriotism is presented as evidence that educational and media institutions have normalized anti-American attitudes. The Founding Fathers should be judged by their universal principles, not by the existence of slavery in their era; condemning the Declaration requires affirming its moral truth. Statements by Cori Bush, Maxine Waters, NPR, and Alyssa Milano are framed as historically distorted and politically motivated attacks on the United States. Critical race theory is described as teaching that America’s core principles are false and that racial identity determines oppression and guilt. The NEA is accused of pushing CRT, the 1619 Project, and anti-Israel activism into public education at national scale. State anti-CRT laws are defended as legitimate educational standards that prevent indoctrination and protect children from being told to feel guilt over race or sex. The broader culture increasingly rewards grievance and identity performance, encouraging people to join an intersectional coalition for social advantage.

Data Points: Young adults proud to be American: 36% - Poll cited from Issues and Insights/Tip Insights, referenced as evidence of declining patriotism among 18–24-year-olds. Ages 25–44 proud to be American: 59% - Poll result cited for middle-younger adults. Ages 45–64 proud to be American: 75% - Poll result cited to contrast with younger adults. Adults over 65 proud to be American: 86% - Poll result cited as the highest age-group patriotism level. Conservatives proud to be American: 81% - Partisan breakdown from the same poll. Moderates proud to be American: 66% - Partisan breakdown from the same poll. Liberals proud to be American: 55% - Partisan breakdown from the same poll. Republicans proud to be American: 85% - Party-identification breakdown from the same poll. Democrats proud to be American: 64% - Party-identification breakdown from the same poll. Independents proud to be American: 59% - Party-identification breakdown from the same poll. Men proud to be American: 77% - Gender breakdown from the poll. Women proud to be American: 59% - Gender breakdown from the poll. White Americans proud to be American: 73% - Racial breakdown cited in the poll. Black and Hispanic Americans proud to be American: 56% - Racial breakdown cited in the poll. Extremely proud to be American: 44% - Overall intensity-of-pride measure from the poll. Very proud to be American: 23% - Overall intensity-of-pride measure from the poll. Moderately proud to be American: 15% - Overall intensity-of-pride measure from the poll. Not proud at all: 6% - Overall intensity-of-pride measure from the poll. States passing anti-CRT laws mentioned by authors: 5 - Tennessee, Oklahoma, Iowa, Idaho, and Texas are listed in the New York Times discussion. NEA school districts targeted: 14,000 - Chris Rufo-reported claim that the NEA plans to promote CRT across local districts. NEA scope: 50 states - The union’s stated nationwide promotion of CRT. We Spa incident: 1 man, 1 six-year-old girl - Used as an example of trans-rights conflict and protest escalation. Michaela Kennedy Cuomo age: 23 - Her self-identification as demisexual is discussed as an example of identity trend-chasing. July 4th founding age: 245 years ago - NPR reference to the Declaration of Independence and its historical context.

Pivotal Quotes: "The freedom that they're referring to is for white people." — Cori Bush: Tweet criticized by Shapiro as a misleading and inflammatory take on July 4th. "We are at a critical juncture in our democracy, and yet our press does not reflect the nation it serves." — Nicole Hannah-Jones: CBS interview quote used while discussing her move from UNC to Howard University. "I have not yet begun to fight." — John Paul Jones: Quoted in a promotional segment about America's Forgotten Heroes and Revolutionary War bravery.

Implications: The episode warns that patriotic cohesion is weakening as schools, media, and cultural institutions normalize anti-American narratives. Shapiro argues this will deepen polarization, reshape civic education, and make it harder for the U.S. to sustain a shared national identity.