Historian Julian Zelizer on Newt Gingrich’s Partisan Legacy

When Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, President Obama observed that Trump “is not an outlier; he is a culmination, a logical conclusion of the rhetoric and tactics of the Republican party.” In his new book, "Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich, The Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party," Julian Zelizer pinpoints the moment when our country was set on a path toward an era of bitterly partisan and ruthless politics, ignited by Newt Gingrich and his allies. From the Contract with America to the rise of the Tea Party and the Trump presidential campaign, Gingrich’s fingerprints can be seen throughout some of the most divisive episodes in contemporary American politics.

This event was produced in partnership with the John Brademas Center of New York University and the Brennan Center for Justice.

Julian E. Zelizer has been one of the pioneers in the revival of American political history. He is the author and editor of 19 books on American political history, including Taxing America: Wilbur D. Mills, Congress, and the State, 1945-1975—winner of the Ellis Hawley Prize for Best Book on Political History and the D.B. Prize for Best Book on Congress--On Capitol Hill: The Struggle to Reform Congress and its Consequences, 1948-2000, Arsenal of Democracy: The Politics of National Security—From World War II to the War on Terrorism, Jimmy Carter, Conservatives in Power: The Reagan Years, 1981-1989 (co-authored with Meg Jacobs), Governing America: The Revival of Political History and The Fierce Urgency of Now: Lyndon Johnson, Congress, and the Battle for the Great Society, winner of the D.B. Hardeman Prize for Best Book on Congress. In January 2019, Norton will publish his new book, co-authored with Kevin Kruse, entitled Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974. 

During her tenure at CNN, Camerota has covered breaking news stories on the ground both internationally and domestically, including the Paris and Brussels terror attacks, the tragic South Carolina church shooting, and the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, FL. Additionally, her coverage of Hurricane's Maria aftermath helped garner CNN an Edward R. Murrow Award. She has also been at the forefront of CNN's coverage of the 2016 elections, conducting news-making interviews with the Democratic and Republican nominees and many of the primary candidates. Outside of her role on New Day, Camerota has anchored primetime specials, including "Sexual Assault on Campus," a panel discussion on the epidemic of sexual assaults on college campuses, and "The Cosby Show: A Legend Under Fire," a one hour conversation with the comedian's alleged victims.