The Bunker – News without the nonsense King of Cruelty – How Trump wins by humiliating his enemies
Aug 12, 2025
Toby Buckle, host of the Political Philosophy Podcast, dives into the brutal tactics of Donald Trump and the art of humiliation in politics. He explains how Trump not only defeats opponents but aims to degrade them, using public insults and crowd manipulation. The discussion reveals the deep-rooted connection between humiliation and power dynamics, exploring its psychological impacts and historical context. Buckle highlights the normalization of cruelty in the MAGA movement and questions the potential spread of such tactics in UK politics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Humiliation Is Forced Recognition Of Domination
- Toby Buckle defines humiliation as the forced recognition of domination in power relations.
- He says it makes people do things they would never do if not dominated.
Humiliation Is Common But Hidden
- Toby Buckle says humiliation is common in personal and political life yet goes unspoken.
- People avoid reporting it because admitting weakness lowers social standing and credibility.
More Domination Means More Humiliation
- Toby Buckle argues societies with more domination (like slavery or serfdom) produce more humiliation.
- He suggests equality and fraternity reduce incentives to degrade others.