Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for The Atlantic and expert on democracy, joins to discuss the startling corruption during the Trump presidency. They explore how authoritarian regimes undermine institutions and the personal cost of political polarization, particularly the loss of friendships. The conversation also touches on the erosion of trust in politics and the importance of reconciliation in fostering unity. Applebaum's insights into contemporary challenges illuminate the broader implications for democracy today.
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insights INSIGHT
WWII's True Victory: Reconciliation
The true victory of WWII was postwar reconciliation, not battlefield triumph.
The US led building a peaceful world based on values, now at risk of being forgotten.
insights INSIGHT
Corruption Links Authoritarian Regimes
Authoritarian regimes prioritize stealing and hiding money to keep power.
Rapid corruption usually precedes crackdowns on civil society and democracy.
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Unique Presidential Corruption
Trump's presidential term saw unprecedented self-enrichment.
Foreign and party money funneled into his businesses reshaped American politics.
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In 'Twilight of Democracy,' Anne Applebaum explores the rise of authoritarianism and nationalism in modern democracies. She argues that political systems with radically simple beliefs are inherently appealing, especially when they benefit loyal adherents to the exclusion of others. The book examines how despotic leaders rely on allies, bureaucrats, and media figures to support their rule and how modern authoritarian parties offer new paths to wealth and power. Applebaum draws on historical examples, including Stalinist central Europe and Nazi Germany, and investigates contemporary phenomena such as conspiracy theories, social media, and nostalgia. She warns that democracies are fragile and their survival depends on daily choices made by both elites and ordinary people.
Gulag
A History of the Soviet Camps
Anne Applebaum
This book provides a detailed and documented portrait of the Gulag, a vast array of Soviet concentration camps that held millions of political and criminal prisoners. Applebaum examines the origins of the Gulag under Lenin, its expansion under Stalin, and its eventual collapse. The book delves into the daily lives of prisoners, including their arrests, transportation, working and living conditions, and the impact of World War II on the camps. It also explores the cultural and social aspects of life within the Gulag, as well as its legacy and why it has remained relatively obscure in historical memory. The work is based on extensive research, including Soviet-era archives and personal accounts from survivors[1][4][5].
In this episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum reflects on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, examining how postwar reconciliation—not battlefield triumph—became America’s true finest hour. He contrasts that legacy with Donald Trump’s recent bombastic Victory Day statement, urging a rededication to the values that built a more peaceful world.
David is then joined by The Atlantic’s Anne Applebaum to discuss the astonishing and brazen corruption of the Trump presidency, how authoritarian regimes seek to break institutions, and the hardship of losing friendships to politics.
Finally, David answers listener questions on fostering open-minded political dialogue among polarized high-school students, why America hasn’t developed a strong worker-based political movement like its European counterparts, and how to think about class in modern U.S. politics. He also weighs in on the risk of data suppression under the Trump administration and reflects on whether his long-held conservative values still belong to the political right.
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The David Frum Show 
