THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent
Trump-Musk Threats Darken as Their Anger at Enemies Takes Ominous Turn
Feb 18, 2025
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.
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
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