Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On this week’s episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts about the recently reported peace talks between the United States and Iran. David argues that these reported talks indicate the United States is losing the war in Iran, and that the loss highlights what has always been true: The presidency is too big a job for Donald Trump.
Then David is joined by Representative Jason Crow of Colorado to discuss Trump’s politicization of the American military, lessons from the war in Iran, and the chaos at Pete Hegseth’s “Department of War.”
David ends with a discussion of James Boswell’s classic biography, The Life of Samuel Johnson.
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00:00 Introduction
00:32 Reaction to Iran War News
01:42 War Aims and Reality Check
03:35 Trump as a Faction Leader
10:27 Congressman Jason Crow
11:20 Iran War Update
14:50 Rushed Decisions Endanger Troops
17:24 Politicizing The High Command
24:20 Illegal Orders and Elections
29:30 Caribbean Strikes
36:56 Recruiting Democrats for 2026
42:02 The Life of Samuel Johnson
On this week’s episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with his thoughts about the recently reported peace talks between the United States and Iran. David argues that these reported talks indicate the United States is losing the war in Iran, and that the loss highlights what has always been true: The presidency is too big a job for Donald Trump.
Then David is joined by Representative Jason Crow of Colorado to discuss Trump’s politicization of the American military, lessons from the war in Iran, and the chaos at Pete Hegseth’s “Department of War.”
David ends with a discussion of James Boswell’s classic biography, The Life of Samuel Johnson.
Sign up for David Frum’s newsletter alert to find out when a new story is published: theatlantic.com/author/david-frum/?follow=true&utm_campaign=frum-yt
Subscribe to “The David Frum Show” on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-david-frum-show/id1305908387
Subscribe to “The David Frum Show” on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/79CBHEDdEbdykveVgbpWs7
Follow The Atlantic on Instagram: instagram.com/theatlantic/?hl=en
Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple podcasts.
Subscribe today at accounts.theatlantic.com/products/?utm_medium=cr&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=apple_podcasts
Subscribe to The Atlantic on YouTube: bit.ly/subAtlanticYT
#davidfrum #thedavidfrumshow #theatlantic
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Reaction to Iran War News
01:42 War Aims and Reality Check
03:35 Trump as a Faction Leader
10:27 Congressman Jason Crow
11:20 Iran War Update
14:50 Rushed Decisions Endanger Troops
17:24 Politicizing The High Command
24:20 Illegal Orders and Elections
29:30 Caribbean Strikes
36:56 Recruiting Democrats for 2026
42:02 The Life of Samuel Johnson
