Why American Democracy Might Not Survive Trump

In just about two months, President Donald Trump has managed to thoroughly shake U.S. democratic structures to the core.

From firing thousands of federal workers and plunging the U.S. into a trade war, to testing the limits of our three supposedly coequal branches of government, it's been a lot to process. And the constant chaos makes it hard to grasp what's actually happening, big picture: Are we watching a wannabe strongman fumble through enacting a policy agenda that will likely prove to be deeply unpopular, or are we actually watching the end of American Democracy as we've known it for roughly the last century. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor at New York University and author of the book 'Strongmen,' explains what history can tell us about our current moment and what we can do about it.

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And in headlines: Venezuela said it would start accepting deportation flights from the U.S. again, Palestinian health officials said the death toll in Gaza has topped 50,000, and the White House said Second Lady Usha Vance is heading to Greenland… just for fun… scout's honor.

Show Notes:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:51 Interview with Fascism Expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat
13:02 Strategies for Resistance and Solidarity
15:35 Ads
16:31 Headlines
16:32 Venezuela Deportation Agreement
18:30 Tesla Trade-ins and Elon Musk
19:44 Gaza
20:35 Second Lady Usha Vance's Greenland Trip
21:38 Bernie Sanders and AOC's "Fighting Oligarchy Tour"
25:09 Conclusion

If you’re looking for hype, fake outrage, and groupthink, kindly keep moving. Our mission at What a Day is simple: to be your guide to what truly matters each morning (and the fun stuff you might have missed) in just 20 minutes. Host Jane Coaston brings you in-depth reporting and substantive analysis on the big stories shaping today and the creeping trends shaping tomorrow—and when she doesn’t know the answers, she asks someone even smarter to fill us all in. Radical, right?

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Photos courtesy of AP Photo Archive

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[rebekahlopez]

I hope Vance and the Delegation gets booed everywhere they go in Greenland!

[Dan-zcn]

Every single Judge who let This Thug Walk Free Should be REMOVED from the Bench

[maryburrell]

We should all be horrified. I never dreamed I would live to see the country turn into this.

[dlross]

I hope they're denied entry to Greenland. That would be fun to watch.

[shkit]

What gets me is, so many young people that say—“I don’t vote 🗳️ because I don’t know anything about politics” and the older non-voters say “my vote 🗳️doesn’t make a difference” 😢 Civics should be taught in school since 1st grade! If we survive this coup, Congress needs to start working on making sure more people vote. 🗳️ like make mandatory or make it more accessible.

[JohnTLyon]

If you aren't feeling apprehensive about Trump, you are dead inside.

[twintwitch]

We are in the 4th Turning. We have been moving toward this point since Regan. Where we are is not an accident or happenstance. Billionaires moved us in this direction. Too many Americans simply did not pay attention and did not think beyond the moment, again and again year after year, like lobsters in a pot as the water is heated from cold to boiling America is now in trouble. Is our reaction now just that of a lobster flailing in pain as reality sets in. Will we take our democracy back, can we?

[spacemaneric]

Jane, you are asking the questions that need to be asked. You’re an inspiring voice for the people. Your show has become one of my favorite and most trusted new sources. Thank you.

[LexiLouciferOfficial]

Betterhelp, let Jane out of this sponsorship. The betterhelp company doesn't deserve to have someone (who is working so hard to benefit humanity) promoting them while they are actively hurting humanity.
Thank you Jane, for the best news out here.

[clarencejones]

Jane,

Thank you for reminding us we’re not alone if what’s going through our head is.

“what would I do at the beginning of World War II?”

[Wenny_go]

As a XGeneration German, I'm wondering for months why is nobody doing anything and let pass so much important time.
IT'S REALLY TIME TO DO SOMETHING!!!!

[pierrevaillancourt]

hi from Canada, i am terrorized for what is happening

[CHRISSLATTERY-ir]

This is a 1984 Animal Farm in real-time.

[DougL-dw]

Greenland: Don't let ANYONE FROM THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS INTO YOUR COUNTRY!!! Our government CANNOT BE TRUSTED!!! We KNOW THIS!! We SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENCE!!!

[LAHaines-pzoo]

Ruth's great. So good you had her on!!

[robertrunyon]

Wow! Finally someone saying what I've been saying before trump even got into office!
Greeesh

[MrBamalam]

I think all students should un-enroll from Columbia and let them figure it out from there.

[WhatIsHappening]

I think alot of people don't pay attention until it directly affects them

[nouveauangel]

I’m fucking mad and hopeless at the same time.

[crkids]

I went to the Tucson rally it was so amazing!