On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti The Jackpod: It can happen here. It is happening.
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Dec 19, 2025 Jack Beatty, an esteemed On Point news analyst who delves into history and politics, explores Philip Roth’s 2004 novel, 'The Plot Against America.' He draws intriguing parallels between the text and today's political climate, highlighting Roth's foresight during the Trump era. They discuss the chilling impact of anti-Semitism, the fear within the Roth family, and how the novel's imagery resonates with contemporary events. Beatty warns that complacency in the face of rising authoritarianism could be perilous, echoing historical lessons that demand attention.
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Literature As Political Mirror
- Philip Roth's The Plot Against America reads as a prophetic mirror to Trump's era, showing how familiar institutions can enable authoritarian shifts.
- Jack Beatty argues Roth's novel gains renewed seriousness as its scenarios echo contemporary politics.
Lindbergh's Real‑World Trajectory
- Jack Beatty recounts Lindbergh's fame, his admiration in the 1930s, and the tragic public life after his son's murder.
- Beatty describes Lindbergh's praise from Nazis and his racist, America First politics that later targeted Jewish Americans.
Simplicity Of The Anti‑War Appeal
- In Roth's novel Lindbergh campaigns as a heroic aviator promising to keep America out of war, simplifying choice into comfort over conflict.
- Beatty shows how that anti‑war appeal enables electoral landslides and majoritarian danger.