Masha Gessen offers a plausible Trump-Russia theory
Jun 6, 2017
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Masha Gessen debates the existence of a conspiracy between the US and Russian governments, explores the Trump-Russia investigation, discusses Trump's contradictory statements and poor response under pressure, delves into bullshitting and its role in authoritarian regimes, highlights the power of ideology, examines toxic politics and conspiracy theories, and offers book recommendations.
It is essential to differentiate between concrete evidence and speculative theories when analyzing the Trump-Russia connection.
The Trump-Russia investigation could extend for years, leading to continuous allegations, leaks, and political battles.
Conspiracy theories in American politics, such as the Trump-Russia narrative, can be divisive, undermine trust in institutions, and distort political conversations.
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Masha Gessen on the Trump-Russia Connection and Conspiracy Theories
Masha Gessen, a Russian American journalist, discusses the Trump-Russia connection and the prevalence of conspiracy theories surrounding it. Gessen provides insights into the potential consequences of the Trump-Russia narrative and the dangers of adopting a conspiratorial frame of mind. She emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the situation and calls for a focus on concrete evidence rather than speculative theories.
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The Implications of the Trump-Russia Investigation and Potential Scenarios
The podcast examines the potential consequences of the ongoing Trump-Russia investigation. While some hope for a quick resolution or a silver bullet that will remove Trump from office, the discussion suggests that these expectations may be unrealistic. Instead, it suggests that the investigation could extend for years, resulting in continuous allegations, leaks, and political battles. The podcast also speculates on potential scenarios, including Trump's resignation, the rise of popular anti-government movements, and the possibility of war as a distraction tactic for the president.
The Danger of Conspiratorial Thinking and its Impact on American Politics
The podcast discusses the danger of conspiracy theories in American politics, particularly in the context of the Trump-Russia narrative. It highlights how conspiracy theories can be divisive, undermine trust in institutions, and lead to a distorted political conversation. The discussion also touches on the importance of developing a clear and compelling vision for the future, as opposed to solely focusing on the removal of President Trump. It urges a cautious approach in navigating the complexities of the current political landscape and avoiding the pitfalls of conspiratorial thinking.
Masha Gessen is a Russian-American journalist and the author of, among other books, The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin. Since the election, she has been analyzing Donald Trump through the lens of Russian politics and personalities in a series of viral essays in the New York Review of Books. But as the Trump campaign's relationship with Russia has evolved into a dominant storyline of his presidency, Gessen has grown skeptical. She thinks the left has been overwhelmed by conspiratorial thinking on Russia. That doesn't mean, she hastens to say, that there is no conspiracy. But there is also wishful thinking, and lazy thinking, and a hope that the normal mechanisms of politics can be bypassed."For more than six months now, Russia has served as a crutch for the American imagination," Gessen wrote. "It is used to explain how Trump could have happened to us, and it is also called upon to give us hope. When the Russian conspiracy behind Trump is finally fully exposed, our national nightmare will be over."In this podcast, Gessen and I talk about all things Trump and Russia. I ask her for both the plausible and sinister explanations for the many meetings and mysteries that surround Trump's associates. We talk about the ways Trump is and isn't like Putin, how studying autocracies has helped her interpret this moment in American politics, the psychology of Jared Kushner, and much more. Enjoy!Books:Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism Victor Klemperer, I Will Bear WitnessTimothy Snyder, On Tyranny
