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The Bulwark Podcast

Bret Stephens: Pray Kamala Wins

Oct 25, 2024
Bret Stephens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning opinion columnist for the New York Times and former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, shares his sharp insights alongside Tim Miller. They dive deep into the corrosive effects of Trump's potential return on democracy and discuss the implications of leadership disinhibition. The conversation shifts to the intertwining of tech powers, particularly Elon Musk's foreign policy impacts. Stephens also evaluates the complexities of voting choices, netting a thought-provoking look at Kamala Harris's strategic positioning in contemporary politics.
51:39

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Trump's disinhibition poses a significant threat to democracy due to his lack of restraint and potential for deliberate cruelty.
  • Voting for Kamala Harris is portrayed as a pragmatic alternative to safeguard democratic institutions against the dangers of another Trump term.

Deep dives

Understanding Trump's Unique Threat

The discussion revolves around Donald Trump's disinhibition, a trait characterized by impulsiveness and a lack of restraint, which is both a strength and a dangerous flaw. This disinhibition manifests in Trump's willingness to speak without filtering his words, often leading to controversial and harmful statements. It is pointed out that during his first term, there were individuals around him that acted as inhibitors to temper his more reckless ideas, but many of these individuals are no longer present. The concern is that in a potential second term, Trump could act without constraints, amplifying the threat he poses if there are no checks on his power.

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