What A Day Why Conservatism Is Dead In The Trump Era
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Aug 28, 2025 
Bill Kristol, editor at large for The Bulwark and a long-time figure in Republican politics, discusses the troubling loyalty dynamics within the Trump administration. He highlights the authoritarian tendencies emerging during Trump's presidency and the Republican Party's reluctance to challenge these shifts. The conversation also touches on the evolution of conservatism from Reagan's ideals to Trump's influence, exploring the implications for democracy and political coalitions in the U.S.
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Authoritarianism Is Accelerating
- Bill Kristol warns the pace of authoritarianism in a second Trump term is accelerating, not slowing.
- He stresses we are only seven months into a four-year term so the risk grows over time.
Three Spokes Of Authoritarian Power
- Kristol outlines three complementary spokes of the authoritarian project: internal personalization, outside intimidation, and targeting critics.
- He warns combining federal control, intimidation of institutions, and punitive actions against opponents becomes very dangerous.
Elite Accommodation vs. Public Resistance
- Kristol highlights elite accommodation: business, universities, media, and even some liberal elites are not fighting Trump effectively.
- He argues the public is often more resistant to Trump than elites who accommodate him.