Making Sense with Sam Harris #460 — When the Center Cannot Hold
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Feb 20, 2026 
Jonah Goldberg, conservative commentator and longtime National Review figure, reflects on the fracturing of American conservatism and the politicization of federal institutions. He discusses reheating government norms after Trump. He explores party incentives driving polarization, infighting over figures like Nick Fuentes, and the political mechanics shaping midterms and oversight.
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Personalist Presidency Erodes Institutional Trust
- Trump has converted the presidency toward a personalist regime that blurs personal aims and state duties.
- Once norms and institutional trust break, they are hard to rebuild quickly.
Judicial Distrust Signals Systemic Damage
- Judges have rescinded the presumption of regularity because they distrust government lawyers' truthfulness.
- This legal erosion illustrates cascading damage when institutions lose credibility.
Primaries Pushed Parties Toward Their Extremes
- Primary incentives have shifted politicians toward pleasing the base rather than persuading the median voter.
- This structural change makes parties compete for extremes instead of building majority coalitions.