Be it Resolved, this is America's golden age

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What happened over the last four years was that American society underwent a massive accelerating deterioration brought on by the left, sometimes accentuated by a few on the right, while the American people suffered. Are we even in a decent age? Are we even in an age we can feel good on a basic human level about?

The golden age of America means that people not as privileged as you and me perhaps can maybe achieve what we have.

If this is such a golden age, why does nobody else want to be a part of it?

Welcome to this special edition of the Munk Debates podcast. On this episode, we're sharing the opening statements from the Munk Debate on Trump's America, which took place on May 29th in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,000 people at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. The debate resolution, be it resolved, this is America's golden age. Arguing in favor of the motion was the political consultant, pollster, and senior counselor to President Trump during his first term, Kellyanne Conway. Her debating partner was the president of the right-wing think tank, the Heritage Foundation, and the architect of Project 2025, Kevin D. Roberts. Opposing the motion was the New York Times columnist, podcaster, and best-selling author, one of America's most influential commentators, Ezra Klein. His debate partner was Ben Rhodes, who served President Obama as a senior advisor and is co-host of the popular podcast, Pod Save the World. As with all of our live Munk Debates, the audience voted on this resolution prior to hearing the debate. Initially, 85% of attendees voted against the debate motion and 15% were in favor. We did another poll after the debate to find out how many people had changed their minds once they'd listened to the arguments from both sides. But first, let's join the debate in action with Kevin D. Roberts giving his opening statement in favor of the motion, be it resolved, this is America's golden age. [audience applauding]

What a pleasure to be with you tonight, and I come as a friend of Canada, even though I'm an American. [audience applauding] Actually, especially because I'm an American. And it is a real honor to be here with you to help facilitate, along with my three fellow debaters, the noble mission of the Munk Debates, which is civil discourse, a vital attribute in the shared cultural inheritance of our two countries. And of course, as I look at the debate results, I've drawn the conclusion that you're telling me there's a chance. [audience laughing] I'm tempted to tariff you into submission, [audience laughing] but I suspect that won't work. And so instead, I've got an idea. If you cheer for Kellyanne and me, then we will give you a 10% discount code for one of those new