Offline with Jon Favreau Can The Left Reclaim America's Story?
18 snips
Sep 11, 2025 
Join John Ganz, the author of 'When the Clock Broke' and a columnist at The Nation, as he delves into the fascinating dynamics of right-wing populism. He argues that Democrats must reclaim the narrative of American nostalgia to counteract an autocratic shift. The discussion touches on how Trumpism originated in the 1990s and the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance. Ganz also critiques the current Democratic rhetoric and highlights the power of storytelling in reshaping political engagement and connecting with voters.
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Viral Shitpost Goes Global
- John Ganz describes tweeting "Trump is dead" as a vacation shitpost that unexpectedly went viral.
- He watched it explode overnight and found the media reaction both funny and alarming.
Fascism As A Predictive Heuristic
- Ganz treats the "fascism" label as a predictive heuristic rather than strict definition.
- He argues the fascism framework helped anticipate events like January 6th and institutional co-option.
Parallel State Over Paramilitary Force
- Ganz notes Trumpism built a parallel, personally loyal state rather than a classic paramilitary takeover.
- He points to ICE expansion and conservative courts as the regime's institutional strategy.
