Bannon`s War Room Episode 5007: Tanenhaus Returns: Buckley And The Conservative Revolution
Dec 18, 2025
Sam Tanenhaus, historian and author, joins to dive deep into the life of William F. Buckley and the roots of the conservative movement. He reveals Buckley’s early admiration for McCarthy and how he countered liberal narratives by founding National Review. Tanenhaus discusses Buckley’s ability to connect with the working class, his ideological battles with figures like Ayn Rand, and his strategic moves to maintain conservative credibility. The conversation sheds light on the intricate alliances and tensions that shaped modern conservatism.
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Climate Groups Scrutinized For China Ties
- Gabe Kaminsky reports 26 Republican attorneys general asked DOJ to probe climate nonprofits for possible FARA violations tied to China.
- The Energy Foundation China operates in Beijing and San Francisco and raises national-security concerns about foreign influence on U.S. energy policy.
FARA Enforcement Is Selective And Uncertain
- FARA prosecutions were historically rare but increased after 2016, and DOJ under Pam Bondi signaled focus only on the most serious cases.
- That makes large-scale FARA enforcement uncertain despite state AG pressure to act on alleged China-linked nonprofits.
Buckley’s Early Admiration For McCarthy
- Sam Tanenhaus recounts Bill Buckley's early admiration for Joe McCarthy after hearing him at Yale in 1948.
- Buckley saw McCarthy as asking uncomfortable questions the public wanted answered about communist infiltration.