Autocracy in America The Columnist
16 snips
Sep 19, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Bret Stephens, a New York Times columnist and author of the 2017 Renew Democracy Initiative manifesto, shares insights on the current threats to American democracy. He reflects on his early warnings about Trump and emphasizes the need for a more pragmatic approach towards Trump supporters. Bret and Garry Kasparov explore the rise of illiberal politics and the importance of civil discourse. They envision a potential political realignment that could pave the way for a stronger liberal party, igniting hope for the future of democracy in the U.S.
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Liberal Democracy Under Dual Threat
- The liberal-democratic order faces coordinated threats from both inside and outside states.
- Renew Democracy Initiative framed the danger as political authoritarianism and ideological extremism.
First Meeting At The Wall Street Journal
- Bret Stephens recalled meeting Garry Kasparov at a Wall Street Journal lunch early in their careers.
- He described jumping at the chance and remembered his move from the Jerusalem Post back to the Journal.
Trump As Reality-TV Politician
- Stephens compared Trump's tactics to a reality-TV style of mass persuasion and personality politics.
- He suggested Trump seized the psychology of conservative media and mass persuasion better than critics did.