Has Trump Corrupted the Military?

Has Trump Corrupted the Military?

From The David Frum Show by The Atlantic

May 27, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 61

About this episode

David Frum discusses the implications of recent peace talks with Iran and the politicization of the military under Trump, featuring an interview with Representative Jason Crow.

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. 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 TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: David Frum

Guest: Jason Crow

Topics covered

  • Trump
  • military
  • politicization
  • peace talks
  • Iran
  • biography

Keywords

  • Trump
  • military
  • peace talks
  • Iran
  • politicization
  • David Frum
  • Jason Crow

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic

Books & works: The Life of Samuel Johnson

Places: United States, Iran

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