To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Anne Applebaum: Americans Are Not Angry Enough Yet
Oct 28, 2025
Anne Applebaum, a historian and journalist based in Poland, dives into the alarming decline of democratic norms in the U.S. She emphasizes the critical nature of the upcoming midterm elections and discusses how gerrymandering and voter ID laws threaten fair voting. Applebaum warns of the dangers of complacency and explores how the administration's corruption erodes accountability. Highlighting the stark contrasts between American protests and those abroad, she underscores the global implications of America’s democratic decay and the urgent need for vigilance.
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Focus On Midterms, Not Third-Term Fantasies
- Steve Bannon's talk of a third Trump term is mainly attention-seeking and flattering to Trump.
- Anne Applebaum says the more immediate threat is midterm manipulation, not speculative third-term plans.
Coordinated Assault On Voting Rules
- Applebaum warns of coordinated attacks on electoral norms: gerrymandering, federal demands for voter rolls, and restrictive ID laws.
- She says these moves are new, concerted, and aimed at undermining state-run elections ahead of the midterms.
Kleptocracy Undermines Political Deterrence
- Applebaum catalogs wide-ranging kleptocratic behavior and weak accountability within the administration.
- She argues this erodes the deterrent fear politicians once had of losing power and being held accountable.
