Trump-Musk Threats Darken as Their Anger at Enemies Takes Ominous Turn
Feb 18, 2025
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Steven Levitsky, co-author and scholar of authoritarianism, discusses the alarming behaviors of influential figures like Trump and Musk. He highlights how Musk's vitriol and Trump's assertions of presidential supremacy signal a disturbing trend toward authoritarianism in America. Levitsky draws parallels between these actions and historical threats to democracy, underscoring the urgent need for engagement and vigilance. The conversation emphasizes how these behaviors erode democratic values and the active role voters must play in reversing this tide.
The podcast highlights how Elon Musk and Donald Trump's authoritarian rhetoric signals a troubling decline in democratic norms within the Republican Party.
It emphasizes the critical need for grassroots activism and voter engagement to combat the troubling shift towards authoritarian governance in America.
Deep dives
Authoritarian Tendencies within the Republican Party
The Republican Party has increasingly adopted authoritarian characteristics, as evidenced by figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump making openly authoritarian statements without accountability. Musk's call for criminal punishment against media personnel highlights a growing trend of exerting pressure on the press, which is a common tactic used by autocratic regimes to control dissent. This shift is compounded by Trump’s nomination of individuals aligned with his rhetoric, further undermining the independence of institutions like the Department of Justice. As the party continues to endorse candidates with a history of undermining democratic norms, it signals an alarming departure from foundational democratic principles.
Competitive Authoritarianism Defined
Competitive authoritarianism is a phenomenon where democratically elected leaders leverage state power to suppress political competition, making future elections less free and fair. This model highlights that legitimate electoral victory does not preclude a leader from engaging in authoritarian practices once in power, as seen in historical instances with leaders like Hugo Chavez and Erdogan. Trump's recent actions demonstrate a clear attempt to erode checks on executive power, effectively making key state agencies tools for political manipulation. Understanding this form of governance underscores the risk of legitimizing autocratic behavior under the guise of electoral legitimacy.
The Role of Voter Engagement in Resisting Authoritarianism
To combat the shift towards authoritarianism, ordinary voters must actively participate in the democratic process by turning out to vote and engaging with local governance. Grassroots activism, such as attending town hall meetings, writing to representatives, and participating in protests, plays a crucial role in holding leadership accountable. The previous resistance movements have shown that grassroots actions can effectively counter authoritarian threats and shape electoral outcomes. Increased voter engagement and organization are essential in fostering a durable democratic culture and resisting anti-democratic trends.
Our descent into authoritarian rule continues. Over the weekend, Elon Musk raged on Twitter that people at CBS News deserve a “long prison sentence” based on a fabricated rationale. Meanwhile, President Trump tweeted out a line saying straight out that his presidency is above the law. And Trump nominated a nominee for U.S. Attorney in D.C. who has elevated the idea that DOJ should have no independence from the president. According to scholars of authoritarianism, these are the things that happen when a country is sliding into authoritarian rule. We talked to one such scholar, Steven Levitsky, co-author of a great new piece that charts what the path to American autocracy looks like. He explains how Trump-Musk’s latest moves, show how far along on this slide we truly are.