

The Infernal Triangle (w/ Rick Perlstein)
34 snips Oct 25, 2024
Rick Perlstein, an acclaimed author on American conservatism, joins the discussion to explore the media's failures in addressing Trump and the far right. He critiques how elite journalism often simplifies complex narratives and inadvertently enables right-wing movements. The conversation highlights the Democratic Party's tendency towards 'conservatism lite' and reflects on the historical evolution of conservative thought. Perlstein also examines the troubling relationship between polling, public sentiment, and the implications for democracy today.
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Misjudging the Right
- Rick Perlstein reflects on his 2017 mea culpa piece about misjudging the right.
- He admits to previously downplaying the extremist elements and focusing too much on the establishment narrative.
Journalistic Conventions
- Perlstein critiques journalistic conventions that hinder accurate coverage of Trump and the far right.
- He points to "sane washing," both-sidesism, and horse-race narratives as major issues.
Trump's Spokesman
- Sam Adler-Bell mentions a New Yorker piece profiling Trump's spokesman, Stephen Chung.
- The piece highlights how Chung's behind-the-scenes helpfulness allows journalists to cover the Trump campaign conventionally, despite his extreme public statements.