The quote from Michael Wolff’s "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" suggests that liberals often relied on their expertise in various fields as a stronghold against broader, more compelling narratives that seemed to overshadow their arguments. It implies that expertise, while valuable, can be insufficient against larger trends and the realities of political dynamics.

This perspective highlights the struggle between intellectual knowledge and the force of prevailing socio-political movements. The assertion indicates that expertise alone cannot sustain a political stance when faced with overwhelming public sentiments or ideological shifts, emphasizing a need for liberals to adapt their approach beyond mere specialization.