New Podcast: Watching the rogues and crypto bros with Tom Nichols

Never Trump means being Never Trump and his movement as well including all that comes with it

“LEERRROOYYYY JENKINS!!!’

Leeroy Jenkins became famous in 2005 and is the name of a World of Warcraft character that is known for screaming out his name before ignorantly charging headlong into battle, killing everyone in his party. Though the video may have been staged, Leeroy Jenkins became a hit on the internet and in military culture too.

I remember being in Baghdad before a patrol in 2008nand hearing “look we aren’t just gonna ‘Leeroy Jenkins’ this shit” to make it clear we were going to stick to the plan and not just plunge headfirst into the fray without a plan, knowing all the facts, or coordinating with anyone.

I’ve called Tom Nichols the ‘Leeroy Jenkins' of punditry a few times over the years for his infamous way of confidently throwing down the gauntlet and charging into a topic while often surrounded by detractors attacking from all sides. I have watched this unfold on Twitter many times and said to myself, “brother…you did not think that one through.” But, it also makes him a razor sharp writer and analyst of the moment we face.

I worked with Tom on the Lincoln Project as advisors in 2020 and am thrilled to have him as a guest on this week’s show.

About Tom

Tom Nichols is often everyone’s favorite internet rogue and foil as a Never Trumper but still conservative political voice with very strong opinions on music and Jeopardy as well. He is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of the Atlantic Daily newsletter. He is a professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, where he taught for 25 years, and an instructor at the Harvard Extension School. He writes about international security, nuclear weapons, Russia, and the challenges to democracy in the United States and around the world—along with occasional contrarian views on popular culture. His books include The Death of Expertise and ‘Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault From Within on Modern Democracy.’ He is also a five-time undefeated Jeopardy champion.

Background Reading

The new Washington Post and ABC News poll I referred to at the top of the show. Notice it is of American adults and not registered or likely voters.

Tom’s Work Mentioned in the Show:

The Narcissists Who Endanger America, The Atlantic Magazine, April 14, 2023

Tucker Carlson Is the Emblem of GOP Cynicism, The Atlantic Magazine, April 26, 2023

At Least Never Trumpers Stood and Fought, The Atlantic Magazine, October 30, 2020

Latest Book: Our Own Worst Enemy: The assault from within on modern democracy

Right on my desk where I left it

Join the Conversation:

Please comment below on what you think of the episode below and join me on Chat and Notes to discuss the battles we are facing today for the soul of our nation. I try to read and reply to many of the comments on MeidasTouch as well and take your feedback. I’d love to hear from you!

Find the Show:

Apple Podcast: New Episode every week on Thursday afternoon:

MeidasTouch: We premiere every Friday night at 11:00 PM EST and 8:00 PM PT on the MeidasTouch Network on YouTube. You can watch last week’s episode with historian Kevin M. Kruse:

You can also find Short’s and Hot Takes from me on topics of the day. My most recent was the absolutely insane campaign and ad and ignoble history of Kentucky GOP Gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft:

I also am really hitting Senator Tommy Tuberville for continuing to hold key flag officer nominations from moving forward.