LA Protests, Trump's Authoritarian Playbook, and Warner Bros. Discovery Split
whatshot 494 snips
Jun 10, 2025
Protests shake Los Angeles as activists voice their concerns on immigration and authority. Trump’s authoritarian tactics are under scrutiny, raising questions about how Democrats can effectively respond. In a dramatic twist, Trump threatens Elon Musk over political funding, igniting speculation about Musk's shifting loyalties. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery announces a major split into two companies, marking a significant shift in the media landscape. Join the discussion on these pressing issues and more as political tensions escalate.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Ordinary People Join LA Protests
A physics professor travelled an hour and a half to join protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Protesters included ordinary people compelled to act after watching events unfold on TV and social media.
insights INSIGHT
Militarization Signals Authoritarianism
Militarizing cities under the guise of patriotism signals a shift towards authoritarianism.
Normalizing soldiers in place of citizens marks society's slide into tyranny, echoing 1930s Germany.
insights INSIGHT
Provoking Violence to Justify Crackdowns
The deployment of troops can provoke violence to justify a crackdown by authoritarian forces.
America risks quietly fracturing into economically distinct and politically divergent regions.
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Kara and Scott discuss the protests in Los Angeles, dig into Trump's escalating authoritarian tactics, and debate how the Democratic Party should fight back. They also get some on-the-ground perspective from New York Times reporter Livia Albeck-Ripka, who's been covering the protests. Then, Trump threatens Elon Musk with “serious consequences” if he funds Democrats, but is Elon’s behavior on X a sign he’s crawling back? Plus, Warner Bros. Discovery confirms it’s splitting into two companies, just as Kara and Scott predicted.
We’ve got another call in show coming up! Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.