#1776 Trump's Pharaoh Complex, Our Flawed Constitution, and the 250th Anniversary
Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Jay Tomlinson
4.5 • 3.4K Ratings
🗓️ 12 March 2026
⏱️ 220 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Air Date: 3/11/2026
Today is episode 1776, in the year of our nation's 250th birthday, and we thought the occasion called for something big. So, we're tracing the full arc — from the constitutional compromises that made this country possible to the authoritarian vanity project that those compromises eventually also made possible. We're talking about the history, the structures, and the insecure current-but-temporary president who thinks a $400 million ballroom and a coin with his face on both sides will make him a pharaoh.
Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!
BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)
Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!
TOP TAKES
KP 1: The Fight for a True Democracy Part 1 - 1619 - Air Date 8-23-19
KP 2: THE BROKEN CONSTITUTION with Noah Feldman Part 1 - Political Philosophy Podcast - Air Date 11-30-21
KP 3: Black History Month Is Different This Year Part 1 - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 2-19-26
KP 4: Will Trump Turn Americas 250th Birthday Into a MAGA-fest Part 1 - The Bunker - Air Date 3-3-26
KP 5: Trumps Gilded White House Makeover Is All About Power Part 1 - Reveal - Air Date 12-10-26
KP 7: Cass Sunstein on Interpreting the US Constitution Part 1 - Democracy Paradox - Air Date 8-15-23
(00:55:00) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
On Why America's Coat Doesn't Fit and Why They're Erasing History to Hide It
DEEPER DIVES
(01:07:08) SECTION A: CONSTITUTION
A1: Slavery in the Constitution Part 1 - Teaching Hard History - Air Date 11-4-25
A2: #699 - No Kings - Dogma Debate - Air Date 7-4-24
A3: Slavery in the Constitution Part 2 - Teaching Hard History - Air Date 11-4-25
A4: THE BROKEN CONSTITUTION with Noah Feldman Part 2 - Political Philosophy Podcast - Air Date 11-30-21
A5: The Fight for a True Democracy Part 2 - 1619 - Air Date 8-23-19
A6: Cass Sunstein on Interpreting the US Constitution Part 2 - Democracy Paradox - Air Date 8-15-23
(02:05:58) SECTION B: TRUMPLAND
B2: Trump Reportedly Pushing for His Name on 2 More Landmarks - ABC News - Air Date 2-6-26
B4: Will Trump Turn Americas 250th Birthday Into a MAGA-fest Part 2 - The Bunker - Air Date 3-3-26
B5: Trump Builds Personality Cult as Democracy Crumbles - Mary Trump Media - Air Date 12-29-25
B6: Trumps Gilded White House Makeover Is All About Power Part 2 - Reveal - Air Date 12-10-26
(02:51:18) SECTION C: AUTHORITARIAN NOSTALGIA
C2: Black History Month Is Different This Year Part 2 - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 2-19-26
SHOW IMAGE CREDITS
Description: A chaotic composite image against a decomposing American flag background. The Arc de Triomphe (standing in for the proposed "arch d'Trump"), a gilded White House facade, and a rendering of Trump's proposed gilded ballroom all stand behind an image of Trump giving two thumbs up. He is smiling and wearing a tall Uncle Sam-style hat, unaware a bald eagle is about to attack. A gold ribbon with 250th in awkward gold letters floats above it all.
Credit: Internal composite design. | Elements from Pixabay and Canva (paid Pro Content License)
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!
Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Owning a home is full of surprises. Some wonderful, some? Not so much. And when something breaks, it can feel like the whole day unravels. That's why homeserv exists. For as little as $4.99 a month, you'll always have someone to call, a trusted professional ready to help, bringing peace of mind to 4.5 million homeowners nationwide. For plans starting at just 499 a month, go to |
| 0:22.0 | homeserve.com. That's homeserve.com. Not available everywhere. Most plans range between 499 to |
| 0:27.2 | $11.99 a month your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. Welcome to this episode from the |
| 0:34.8 | award-winning Best of the Left podcast. Today is episode 1776 in the year of our nation's 250th birthday, just as I planned it when I started the show 20 years ago. |
| 0:46.8 | And we thought the occasion called for something big. |
| 0:49.9 | So we're tracing the full arc from the constitutional compromises that made this country possible |
| 0:56.0 | to the authoritarian vanity projects that those compromises eventually also made possible. |
| 1:03.2 | We're talking about the history, the structures, and the insecure current but temporary president |
| 1:10.3 | who thinks a $400 million ballroom and a coin with his |
| 1:14.5 | face on both sides will make him a pharaoh. For those looking for a quick overview, |
| 1:19.6 | the sources providing our top takes in about 55 minutes today include 1619, the Political |
| 1:26.0 | Philosophy Podcast, Radio Atlantic, The Bunker, Reveal, Velshi, |
| 1:31.8 | and Democracy Paradox. Then, in the additional deeper dives, half of the show, there will be more |
| 1:36.6 | in three sections, Section A, Constitution, Section B, Trump Land, and Section C, authoritarian nostalgia. |
| 1:45.5 | But first, a reminder to check out our new show Solved on the Best of Left YouTube channel. |
| 1:50.0 | We're really proud of the show we're making and think you'll get real value out of it. |
| 1:53.1 | Plus, you checking it out will help us find new viewers on YouTube. |
| 1:56.7 | So thanks in advance for all of your views, likes, subscribes, and comments. |
| 2:00.7 | That's all on the Best of Left YouTube channel linked in the show notes. |
| 2:04.4 | And now, on to the show. |
| 2:09.7 | So you kind of have to put yourself in the scene. |
| 2:16.2 | It is June of 1776 and Thomas Jefferson at the very young age of 33 years old |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Jay Tomlinson, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Jay Tomlinson and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.