Weekly Roundup: MAGA Masculinity, the Iran War, and the DOGE Files: What Happens When Power Rejects Expertise (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

On this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller dive headfirst into the Trump administration's approach to Iran—and the deeper worldview shaping it. They examine the escalating conflict, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the administration's apparent failure to anticipate Iran's most obvious leverage point. 

But beyond the geopolitics, Brad and Dan argue that something larger is at play: a model of "MAGA masculinity" that prizes action over thought, rejects expertise, and treats diplomacy and long-term relationships as weakness. From Pete Hegseth's press conferences to the firing of intelligence experts and counter-terrorism staff, they trace how a culture that glorifies brute force and disdain for knowledge can produce catastrophic decision-making—with real human costs. 

In the second half of the show, the conversation turns to newly released depositions from former DOGE officials tasked with slashing federal grants. The clips reveal young operatives with little expertise making sweeping cuts based largely on whether projects referenced feminism, LGBTQ people, or racial minorities—raising serious questions about the real meaning behind the administration's war on "DEI." 

Brad and Dan connect these revelations back to their broader theme: a governing philosophy rooted in domination, resentment, and the rejection of intellectual or moral accountability. They close by asking whether the Iran conflict could fracture the MAGA coalition ahead of the midterms—and by reflecting on what healthier forms of masculinity, leadership, and public responsibility might look like in contrast. 

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-maga-masculinity-the-iran-war-and-the-doge-files-what-happens-when-power-rejects-expertise?hsLang=en