Conservative scholar and media veteran Victor Davis Hanson announced Friday that he is stepping away from his show while he undergoes treatment for what he described as a “serious” health problem, telling listeners he is preparing for a major medical procedure and leaning on faith as he moves forward.
Hanson shared the news during the Friday episode of his podcast, Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words, explaining that he has been dealing with a difficult and undisclosed medical condition and is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday.
“I’m having a major operation, and I’ve been presented with a serious problem,” Hanson said. “But I’m going to do all I can to solve it. And that’s all I can do and trust in the power of prayer and faith — and in a wonderful surgeon.”
Hanson told listeners he ultimately sought care at Stanford Medicine, which he described as the best medical center he knows. He praised the doctors and staff there, saying they have been “absolutely wonderful,” and expressed confidence that things will work out “one way or another.”
For years, Hanson has been a familiar and respected voice on Fox News and across conservative media, known for his historical perspective, blunt analysis, and unapologetic defense of traditional American values. He has also appeared regularly on other right-leaning outlets, building a loyal following over decades in public life.
Hanson has been a strong supporter of Donald Trump, arguing that Trump represented the kind of outsider leadership the country needed after what he has described as decades of political drift. In 2019, Hanson published The Case for Trump, laying out his argument that Trump was uniquely positioned to dismantle what he called a corrupt and entrenched political order.
Now 72 years old, Hanson has also been a sharp critic of Democrats and progressive policies. In a 2022 conversation with Mark Levin, Hanson warned that the country was experiencing what he called an outbreak of “craziness” under President Joe Biden. He framed the political moment as revolutionary, arguing that the energy of the Left was focused on destroying Trump personally.
“We’re in a revolutionary situation,” Hanson said at the time. “It’s out to destroy a particular person, Donald Trump.”
Beyond television and podcasting, Hanson continues to be active in conservative intellectual circles. He joined The Daily Signal in January and serves as a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. A California native, Hanson holds a bachelor’s degree in Classics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in the same field from Stanford University.
During his Friday show, Hanson said he had largely kept his health struggles private, describing the past nine months as a difficult “odyssey.” He explained that the condition was rare and hard to diagnose, especially for someone who does not smoke or drink.
“The problem I had for a nonsmoker and nondrinker was a rare type and very hard to diagnose,” Hanson said, adding that he partly blamed himself for not realizing sooner why he was not recovering.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Hanson struck an optimistic tone, telling listeners he expects to be fine and expressing gratitude for the concern and kindness shown by his supporters. The Daily Signal said Hanson’s co-host, Jack Fowler, will anchor the program solo while Hanson focuses on his recovery.
As he steps back temporarily, Hanson made clear that faith, gratitude, and determination remain at the center of his outlook — traits his audience has long associated with his voice and work.
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