Democracy Now! Audio Jelani Cobb on Trumpism, Racism Within GOP, the Election of Mamdani in NYC & More Pt. 2
12 snips
Nov 10, 2025 
Jelani Cobb, a distinguished historian and dean at Columbia Journalism School, dives deep into the current political landscape. He examines the roots of Trumpism and the unsettling rise of white nationalism. Cobb discusses the implications of Zoran Mamdani's mayoral victory in NYC, linking it to broader issues of identity and economic inequality. He also critiques media accountability, the legal battles impacting journalism, and the importance of diverse media outlets. Plus, he reflects on his journey as a journalist, shaped by early influences and significant events like the Trayvon Martin case.
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Demographic Panic Fuels Political Violence
- Cobb links modern political violence and demographic panic to an 18th-century law treating three Black people gathered as a riot.
- He argues Trumpism draws energy from the same demographic anxiety that produced that law.
Institutional Shift Toward Extremism
- Cobb traces the Heritage Foundation's shift from mainstream conservatism to embracing xenophobic, Nazi-sympathizing politics.
- He sees that shift mirrored across the GOP as extremist elements became central to its base.
Hypocrisy In Right-Wing Rhetoric
- Cobb highlights a GOP tension: condemning left anti-Semitism while hosting supporters who praise Hitler.
- He warns this hypocrisy undermines credibility and reveals fascistic rhetoric aimed at vulnerable groups.
