Victor Davis Hanson Recovering After Lung Cancer Surgery

Daily Signal senior contributor Victor Davis Hanson is recovering from major cancer surgery that removed part of his lung, according to an update provided by his co-host Jack Fowler.

“Victor did have surgery two days before Christmas, and it was major surgery,” Fowler said on the latest episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “It was cancer surgery, and Victor had a part of his lung removed, and that’s major surgery, and I think it’s fair to say the surgery was successful. It got what it was looking for.”

Fowler revealed that Hanson experienced serious complications following the Dec. 30 operation.

“There were serious post-op issues. So Victor is recovering from major surgery and significant post-operation issues,” Fowler said. “He is near where he had the surgery at Stanford.”

Fowler noted the overwhelming support Hanson has received during his recovery.

“I think millions of people were praying for Victor. I know tons of priests were saying Masses for him. So he’s deeply appreciative, and he’ll be back soon,” Fowler said. “Not soon enough, but he’ll be back soon to his audio and video home.”

Hanson, the Martin and Illie Anderson senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Wayne and Marcia Buske distinguished fellow in history at Hillsdale College, first announced in late December that he would undergo a major medical operation.

On the Dec. 26 episode of his show, Hanson announced he would have an operation to address an ongoing health problem.

“I don’t want to talk about my own problems, but I’ve had people call me and say, ‘You don’t look well, you’re hoarse, or you’re coughing.’ But it’s been a nine-month odyssey because the problem I had for a nonsmoker and nondrinker was a rare type and very hard to diagnose, so it’s no one’s fault other than my own perhaps for not realizing why I was not getting well,” Hanson said.

Earlier this month, Condoleezza Rice, Hoover Institution director and senior fellow, posted a statement from Hanson about his recovery.

Hanson joined The Daily Signal as a senior contributor in 2025, providing daily video commentaries. In October, The Daily Signal acquired his popular podcast, which is available four times throughout the week and has continued with Fowler hosting during Hanson’s absence.

Fowler prerecorded several episodes with Hanson prior to his Dec. 30 surgery, including a March Madness-style series that pitted “16 terrible issues” against each other. Hanson acted as the judge, ultimately ruling on the greatest existential threat to the United States.

With the series now concluded, Fowler is interviewing newsmakers about topical issues. In the latest episode, he spoke with Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies.