Robert Kagan on the Limits of Liberalism and Dangers of Donald Trump

Israel-Hamas Talks • Noem’s Dog Days • DeSantis Bends the Knee [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair Hive logo image]( Robert Kagan on the Limits of Liberalism and Dangers of Donald Trump Good morning. Donald Trump might be a political anomaly, argues Robert Kagan, but the movement around him is far from unique. In an [interview]( with Eric Lutz, the senior Brookings fellow chronicles America’s streak of anti-liberal “traditionalism,” which he traces back to the country’s origins in his new book, Rebellion. “At the founding,” Kagan says of the Framers, “they understood the system was in violation of the very liberal principles that they were trying to implant—and that the Revolution was supposedly fought for.” Elsewhere, Lutz [observes]( a glimmer of hope in the talks between Israel and Hamas over a potential ceasefire in Gaza. Plus, Bess Levin [rips]( Ron DeSantis for (predictably) bending the knee to Trump months after dropping out of the GOP presidential primary. Thanks for reading. [Image may contain: Person, Flag, People, Clothing, and Hat]( [Robert Kagan on the Limits of Liberalism and Dangers of Donald Trump]( By [Eric Lutz]( [In an interview with Vanity Fair, the senior Brookings fellow plumbs the racist “traditionalism” that was baked into America’s origins—and connects it to the ex-president’s authoritarian ambitions today: “I don’t want to be a flip of the coin away from possibly saying that the government that was established by the founders is destroyed.”]( [Read more button](   [A Glimmer of Hope for an Israel-Hamas Ceasefire]( By [Eric Lutz]( [Israel has indicated an interest in restoring “sustainable calm” in Gaza. Still, that doesn’t mean negotiations will be straightforward.]( [Read more button](   [Ron DeSantis Requested a Sit-Down to Kiss Trump’s Ring, Protect His 2028 Ambitions: Report]( By [Bess Levin]( [The pair met in Florida for several hours last weekend.]( [Read more button](   [Kristi Noem Doubles Down on Decision to Kill Family Dog, Adds That She Killed 3 Horses “a Few Weeks Ago”]( By [Bess Levin]( [Cricket was a 14-month-old puppy.]( [Read more button](   Get on the list Subscribe to our Hollywood newsletter for your essential industry and awards-season news, every day. [Sign Up Now](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn](   This e-mail was sent to you by The Hive. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( Sent from Condé Nast, 1 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007 Copyright © 2024 Condé Nast