Intelligence Squared The Age of the Strongman: Understanding Trump, with Anne Applebaum (Part Two)
24 snips
Oct 27, 2025 
Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian known for her insights on authoritarianism, joins host Gideon Rachman for a deep dive into Trump’s leadership style. They explore whether Trump fits the 'strongman' mold alongside global figures like Putin and Xi. Applebaum discusses Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders and his potential to undermine democratic norms. They debate the impact of his administration on U.S. alliances and the likelihood of internal conflict within the MAGA movement. Is Trump more authoritarian than before? Applebaum's perspective sheds light on the unfolding drama.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Breaking Laws By Default
- The Trump administration often breaks norms first and relies on courts to catch up later.
- This tactic erodes rule of law and public faith in fairness over time.
Supreme Court As The Wildcard
- Conservative judges may be originalists who respect constitutional text, which could constrain extreme breaches.
- The Supreme Court's response will depend on whether justices act as jurists or partisan actors.
Admiration Plus Business Explains Ties
- Trump's affinity for leaders like Putin and Xi mixes admiration of power with long-standing Russia-facing business ties.
- Financial links and personal attraction to 'strongmen' explain alignment without requiring kompromat.
