Donald Trump is a symptom, not a disease. The disease is the

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The room was quiet, the flicker of a desk lamp casting a soft glow on the scattered papers before Jack. He sat at his desk, his fingers lightly drumming on the edge of a notebook, his eyes lost in thought. Outside, the steady rhythm of the world seemed far away, muted by the stillness of the room. Jack’s mind seemed occupied with something heavier, something he hadn’t quite sorted out yet.

Jeeny sat across from him, her cup of tea in hand, glancing between her book and Jack. She could sense the quiet restlessness in the air, the tension of thoughts Jack was trying to articulate. She waited patiently, knowing that sometimes a simple question was all it took to help bring clarity.

Host: The silence between them felt thick, like a conversation was waiting to unfold, just beyond reach.

Jeeny: Her voice, calm and purposeful, broke the silence. “Jack, I came across a quote today that made me think of you. It’s from Peter Hitchens. He said, ‘Donald Trump is a symptom, not a disease. The disease is the death of real political conservatism: a cool, intelligent reluctance to believe that all change is good, a love for the established, the particular, and the well-worn.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: His eyes flickered up to meet hers, the weight of the words settling in slowly. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers pausing on the edge of his notebook. “That’s a really interesting perspective, isn’t it? Hitchens seems to be saying that Trump isn’t the root cause of what’s wrong, but rather a symptom of a much deeper issue. He’s pointing out that the real problem is the erosion of traditional conservatism, the loss of the values that once defined it.”

He paused, his voice growing more reflective. “What he’s describing is a shift away from a conservatism that values the established and the well-worn — the things that have stood the test of time. It’s not about rejecting change entirely, but about approaching it with caution and a reluctance to embrace every new idea just because it’s different. It’s the belief that some things — the tried and tested ideas — are worth preserving, and that not all change is necessarily good.”

Jeeny: She nodded slowly, her gaze steady and thoughtful. “Exactly. What Hitchens is saying is that Trump, in a way, represents a break from traditional conservatism. He’s a reaction to the changing landscape of politics, but his approach isn’t rooted in the values that once defined conservatism — the values of caution, deliberation, and a respect for the familiar. Instead, Trump embodies a populist approach that embraces disruption, change, and challenge to the status quo.”

Her voice softened, almost reassuring, as she continued, “The disease, then, isn’t Trump himself, but the shift away from those conservative values, the loss of a thoughtful, reflective approach to change. The real issue is how conservatism has evolved into something different — something more reactive and less rooted in the principles that once gave it strength.”

Jack: His expression grew more serious as the depth of the quote settled in. “I think Hitchens is right. There’s a difference between embracing change for the sake of change and accepting it as a necessary evolution. But when change is embraced without reflection, it can undermine the very things that give us stability. True conservatism wasn’t about rejecting all change, but about being cautious and deliberate — about understanding the value of tradition and not throwing everything away in the name of progress.”

He smiled faintly, a quiet realization dawning. “Maybe it’s the balance between holding on to what works and being open to new ideas that’s missing today. And Trump, in a way, is the reaction to a world that’s discarded that balance.”

Jeeny: She smiled softly, her eyes filled with quiet encouragement. “Exactly. It’s about finding a balance between embracing progress and preserving the foundations that have worked. Change can be important, but it needs to be measured and thoughtful. Without that, we risk losing the very things that give us stability and meaning. The danger is in embracing change without considering its impact, and that’s what’s happened with the evolution of conservative thought.”

Her voice grew a little more optimistic, almost like a gentle reminder. “What Hitchens is really calling for is a return to a conservatism that values reflection, that values the wisdom of the past. Not to live in the past, but to acknowledge that the past has something to offer in shaping the future.”

Jack: He nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. “I see now. It’s not about rejecting all change, but about balancing it with a thoughtful respect for what has worked in the past. Trump, in that sense, is a reflection of how the political landscape has shifted, but it’s not the solution. The solution is in finding a way to honor the traditions and values that have given us stability, while still allowing for the evolution of ideas.”

He smiled slightly, a quiet sense of clarity filling him. “Maybe the real lesson is that we can embrace change, but we also need to preserve what works, what has stood the test of time.”

Jeeny: She smiled warmly, her voice full of quiet satisfaction. “Exactly. It’s about maintaining a healthy respect for tradition while still being open to progress. Change doesn’t have to be chaotic or disruptive, but it needs to be grounded in something meaningful, something stable.”

Host: The room felt lighter now, the earlier restlessness replaced with clarity. Jack seemed to have found peace in the understanding that the issue isn’t simply about embracing change, but about balancing it with respect for tradition and thoughtful reflection. The world outside continued its rhythm, but inside, the realization had settled: the path forward lies in preserving the values that give us stability while being thoughtful and intentional in our embrace of change.

End Scene.