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cover of episode Kash Patel’s Crusade Against the Media

Kash Patel’s Crusade Against the Media

2024/12/4
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On the Media

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Elaina Plott Calabro
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节目主持人概述了卡什·帕特尔被提名为FBI局长的争议性,强调了他缺乏经验以及对特朗普的忠诚。这引发了对帕特尔资格和潜在偏见的担忧,并质疑媒体对他的报道是否充分。 Elaina Plott Calabro详细介绍了帕特尔从一名称职的律师转变为特朗普坚定支持者的过程。她指出,2016年在德克萨斯州的一次法庭事件中,帕特尔因穿着不当而受到法官的斥责,司法部也没有公开为他辩护,这可能是他政治立场转变的催化剂之一。此后,帕特尔与努涅斯议员合作调查通俄门事件,并认为媒体对他的负面报道是“体制”在针对他。Calabro还揭示了帕特尔在其自传中对事件的描述与其他目击者的说法存在差异,他总是将自己塑造成英雄或受害者。她指出,帕特尔通过向特朗普兜售自己是阻止“深层政府”的唯一屏障的形象,最终进入国家安全委员会。Calabro还讨论了帕特尔曾威胁要追究媒体和政府中“阴谋者”的责任,并曾试图利用“意大利门”阴谋论推动调查。她认为,帕特尔可能会利用FBI局长职位收集证据,并将其交给总检察长,以打击他认为的“深层政府”和敌人,他的怨恨由来已久。Calabro还描述了帕特尔在离开特朗普政府后,通过销售印有自己名字的商品、出版书籍和进行各种商业活动来维持生计,并巩固自己与特朗普的关系。她总结说,即使帕特尔未能获得FBI局长职位,特朗普也可能会在他未来的政府中为他安排重要职位。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did Kash Patel's career trajectory shift so dramatically from a competent prosecutor to a controversial Trump loyalist?

Kash Patel's career shift was catalyzed by a 2016 incident where a federal judge berated him for not wearing a tie to court, and the Department of Justice declined to defend him publicly. This event made him feel the system was rigged and led him to seek out conservative leaders he deemed strong, like Devin Nunes, which eventually aligned him with Trump's agenda.

Why did Kash Patel become so deeply involved with conspiracy theories and Trump's inner circle?

Kash Patel's involvement with conspiracy theories and Trump's inner circle was driven by his belief that he was the only one standing against the deep state. His work with Devin Nunes on the Russia investigation and his promotion to the National Security Council solidified his role as a key figure in Trump's efforts to expose perceived corruption.

Why is Kash Patel's nomination as FBI director controversial?

Kash Patel's nomination as FBI director is controversial due to his lack of experience, his history of promoting conspiracy theories, and his threats against the media. Firing the current FBI director, Christopher Wray, who has two years left in his term, is also seen as an alarming break from norms.

Why did Kash Patel face difficulties finding work after the first Trump administration?

Kash Patel faced difficulties finding work after the first Trump administration because his reputation was tarnished by his association with conspiracy theories and his controversial actions. This led him to commodify his association with Trump through various side hustles, including selling branded merchandise and writing books.

Why is Kash Patel's threat to come after the media and perceived enemies concerning?

Kash Patel's threat to come after the media and perceived enemies is concerning because of his history of promoting conspiracy theories and his willingness to use his position to pursue personal vendettas. His actions in the past, such as his involvement in the Italy Gate conspiracy, show that he is willing to act on his whims, even if they are baseless.

Why does Elena Plot Calabro believe Kash Patel will have a role in Trump's second term, regardless of his FBI director nomination?

Elena Plot Calabro believes Kash Patel will have a role in Trump's second term because of Trump's repeated attempts to elevate him to powerful positions, such as deputy FBI director and deputy CIA director. Trump's trust in Patel and his willingness to find ways to install him in key roles, even bypassing confirmation processes, suggests he will find a way to give Patel significant power.

Chapters
This chapter explores Kash Patel's career trajectory, highlighting his transformation from a seemingly apolitical attorney to a staunch Trump supporter. It details his rapid rise through government ranks and focuses on a pivotal incident involving a judge's rebuke that seemingly fueled his disillusionment with the system.
  • Kash Patel's rapid rise in government, despite limited experience
  • A critical incident involving a judge's rebuke in Houston
  • Patel's shift from apolitical to staunchly pro-Trump
  • The perceived 'rigged system' as a catalyst for his political transformation

Shownotes Transcript

Over the weekend, president-elect Donald Trump nominated a little-known, largely inexperienced civil servant to an enormous role in his upcoming administration – Kash Patel as FBI director. 

Firing current FBI director Christopher Wray, who has 2 years left in his 10 year term, would itself be an alarming break in norms. Atlantic staff writer Elaina Plott Calabro), profiled Kash Patel in August, chartint his rise to power, starting at the very beginning of his legal career. She explains how he came to loathe the media, and love Trump.

Further reading:

"The Man Who Will Do Anything For Trump)," by Elaina Plott Calabro

"What the FBI Has Done, and Kash Patel Could Do)," by Jon Allsop

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