The Daily Beast Podcast The Sinister Source of Trump's Autocracy Playbook
8 snips
Jun 13, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, M. Gessen, a Russian and American journalist known for their incisive reporting on autocracy, shares insights on the alarming parallels between Putin's regime and Trump's governance. They argue that the real danger lies in Americans adapting to a crumbling democracy, as Trump challenges every institution with relentless attacks. Gessen highlights the importance of visionary leadership to combat growing complacency and emphasizes that public engagement is vital for safeguarding democracy in these turbulent times.
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Comfort as Danger in Autocracy
- Humans naturally get used to shocking events to survive, which is dangerous during autocratic takeovers.
- We may already be adapting too comfortably to the slow destruction of democracy around us.
Trump's Overwhelming Attack Style
- Trump overwhelms the system by attacking everything at once, unlike traditional autocracies that proceed gradually.
- This simultaneous bombardment numbs the public and institutions, making the autocratic shift harder to counteract.
Judiciary Under Attack
- Courts are the last check on Trump's power, so his attacks on judges and legal institutions are critically dangerous.
- Destroying the judiciary undermines democracy's foundation and rebuilding it is extremely difficult, as seen in Poland and Russia.
