Tom Nichols: The Buzz Has Worn Off

What It Covers

Tom Nichols critiques Trump's announcement of a new naval fleet bearing his name, analyzes declining MAGA enthusiasm, examines newly released Epstein documents implicating Trump, and discusses CBS News killing a story about detainees sent to El Salvador.

Key Questions Answered

• •Naval Strategy Misstep: Trump proposes building massive battleship-style vessels three times larger than current Arleigh Burke destroyers, ignoring Navy recommendations for smaller, maneuverable ships and lacking shipbuilding infrastructure to deliver within promised two-and-a-half year timeline.
• •Nuclear Weapons Reversal: Administration plans to place nuclear munitions on surface ships, reversing George H.W. Bush and Dick Cheney's decision to remove them, making vessels high-priority targets and creating operational burdens that naval officers actively oppose.
• •MAGA Momentum Collapse: Trump flags, bumper stickers, and yard signs have largely disappeared from red areas, supporters avoid discussing politics, and Trump lacks energy to effectively bully dissenting Republicans like Indiana legislators who previously supported him.
• •Media Capitulation: CBS News killed a sixty Minutes investigation about U.S. detainees sent to El Salvador torture facilities, with Barry Weiss implementing a rule preventing stories when government refuses comment, effectively granting administration veto power over reporting.