Intelligence Squared The Age of the Strongman: Understanding Trump, with Anne Applebaum (Part One)
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Oct 25, 2025 
Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian known for her work on authoritarianism, joins host Gideon Rachman to explore the implications of Donald Trump's leadership style. They dive into the traits that define a 'strongman', contrasting Trump's approach to past autocrats like Putin. Applebaum discusses the radicalization of Trump's second term and how his administration could reshape federal institutions and democracy. The conversation highlights concerns about authoritarian tactics, media influence, and the financial motives behind political maneuvers.
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Crisis As Justification For Power
- Strongman leaders sell a constant crisis narrative and claim only they can fix it.
- That narrative justifies bypassing institutions and concentrating power quickly.
Radicalized Support After January 6th
- January 6th attracted more radical supporters who saw Trump's willingness to overturn elections as an asset.
- These groups then planned a second administration and prepared written agendas like Project 2025.
Act First, Defend Later Tactic
- The administration often acts, then faces courts, using a tactic of pushing legal boundaries.
- This modus operandi erodes norms by making reversal legally and politically difficult.
