Podcast appearances and mentions of ruth ben ghiat

Buckle up, history buffs and democracy defenders. We're sitting down with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, author of Strongman, and one of the leading experts on authoritarianism, to connect the dots between today's political chaos and the playbooks of history's most dangerous leaders. The parallels are less "ancient history" and more "this week's headlines," and Ruth is here to decode every one of them.Heidi and Joel also unpack the shifting electoral map, with a look at Senate battlegrounds, emerging gubernatorial contests, and what the current political climate means for voters heading into the next cycle.In this episode:How today's administration mirrors the tactics of historic autocratsThe anatomy of a cult of personality, and how they're builtThe "only I can do it" syndrome and why it resonatesThe TINA trap: why "There Is No Alternative" is so dangerousWhat the bunker mentality reveals about autocratic fearReligion, symbols, and grievance as tools of authoritarian powerThe warning signs of democratic erosion, and how fast it movesWhy American resilience may be the one thing autocrats can't plan forGuest:Ruth Ben-Ghiat - Twitter | Substack: LucidThe playbook for autocracy isn't buried in history books; it's playing out in real time. Tune in, get informed, and maybe think twice before you call this just another political phase.The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject). (00:00) - Introduction to Ruth Ben-Ghiat's expertise on authoritarianism (00:01) - The unique and dangerous nature of today's political threats (00:23) - How Trump's demagoguery compares to Mussolini and fascist archetypes (00:35) - The impact of social progress and backlash, race, gender, and democracy (00:26) - The trajectory toward an ethno-state and the exploitation of wealth (00:46) - How policies are weaponized to transfer wealth and create division (00:28) - The challenge of former loyalists re-entering politics amid autocratic influence (00:46) - The rapid speed of autocratic consolidation—Hungary, Russia, and beyond (00:39) - The uncharted and disturbing destruction of public health and welfare (00:19) - The cult of personality, authoritarian playbook, and Trump's messaging (00:57) - The autocratic “no alternative” syndrome and potential successors (00:38) - The fears and vulnerabilities of autocrats like Trump—hidden bunker fears (00:46) - How autocrats boast confidence but tremble behind the scenes (00:13) - The risks of loyalists and whether they can escape the grip of the cult (00:42) - The changing landscape of election rules and the future of democracy (00:52) - The costly mistake of intervening in foreign conflicts (00:24) - The lasting legacy—how Trump's era might be remembered forever

A report from the non-profit watchdog group Public Citizen points out that while Donald Trump insists that donations are paying for his vanity project ballroom, those donors are being granted federal contracts totaling more than $50 billion. Ruth Ben Ghiat, author of "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present,” and Timothy L. O'Brien, senior executive editor of Bloomberg Opinion, discuss Donald Trump's corruption and how his behavior is typical of authoritarians, from trying to put his name and face on everything to going to war against the free press. The discovery of the screwworm parasite in cattle in Texas has raised alarm about the struggling U.S. cattle industry and the already high price of beef for American consumers. Ali Velshi explains the careful government precautions necessary to protect American livestock from the damaging screwworm, and how Donald Trump threw those precautions out the window.  Rebecca Cooke, Democratic candidate for Congress from Wisconsin, talks with Ali Velshi about the hardships farmers have endured as a result of Donald Trump's policies and why his words on a visit with Wisconsin farmers rang hollow to anyone actually experiencing the fallout from Trump's tariffs, high fuel prices, cuts to local services and more. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We dissect Trump's dictator psychology with New York University's Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an expert in the history of fascism.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat (historian of fascism +NYT bestselling author of Strongmen) is an internationally recognised expert in how psychologically unstable men come to power and use corruption, sexual predation, staged victimhood and violence to rule. She's recently, however, turned her focus to how societies subjected to such tyranny have survived and fought back…using moral authority.Ruth is an American history professor at New York University and a political commentator with an expertise in fascism and authoritarian leaders. Her 2020 book Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present was a global bestseller. She publishes the hugely popular Substack Lucid, a newsletter on threats to democracy and will publish her next book, Resisting Autocracy: What History Teaches About Fighting Back, next year.SHOW NOTESBe sure to check out her Substack LucidPurchase Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present hereYou can catch up on the Ece Temelkuran episode hereThis episode with Lindsey Stonebridge on Hannah Arendt's ideas on resistance might also interest you-----Watch on YouTube or SubstackIf you need to know a bit more about me… head to my "about" pageFor more such conversations, subscribe to my Substack newsletter, it's where I interact the most!Let's connect on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, and propaganda. She is the recipient of Guggenheim and other fellowships; an advisor to Protect Democracy; an MSNBC opinion columnist and television commentator; and publishes Lucid, a newsletter on threats to democracy. Her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, looks at how illiberal leaders use propaganda, corruption, violence, and machismo - and how they can be defeated. Ruth's back with us again for a discussion on Trump's second-term autocratic overreach, including his latest brazen act of corruption, the $1.776-billion 'Anti-Weaponization' slush-fund and his IRS immunity 'settlement'. So is Ruth as optimistic as she was back in December? Tune in to see where Ruth currently stands on Trump's threats to democracy; her takeaways from his recent China summit; Viktor Orban's defeat and it's impact on Trump and American politics; and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Ruth Ben Ghiat reminds us that unless we want America to become a white, christian ethno-state, we need to be engaging now. Now is the best time as the administration sets everything on fire and people start to feel the pain. According to Ruth, we're actually ahead of the curve in terms of resistance, so we need ramp it up, if anything overcompensate with positive action. Autocrats want us to feel helpless and hopeless, but we're not. Getting out of this mess is going to be an uphill battle, but it's not a lost cause. In fact, if we play our cards right, we might even be able to build something way better than we had before. As always, if you find worth in what we do, please consider SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You'll get this podcast ad free, along with a bunch of other perks, like the rants directly to your inbox and the knowledge that you're making this kind of highly researched, factual information possible. If that interests you, please go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and subscribe today!! Thank you so much! xoPG Guest social: Website: https://ruthbenghiat.com As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward! All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl This episode is sponsored by… iQBar: TEXT PG to 64000 https://Quince.com/politicsgirl https://SundaysForDogs.com/PoliticsGirl50 code: politicsgirl50 https://laundrysauce.com code: politicsgirl20

May 6, 2026; 6pm; Congress grilled Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the Epstein files, in which he is named over 200 times. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Nancy Erika Smith, Emily Bazelon, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Jason Johnson. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

-- On the Show -- Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins us on Substack Live to discuss how Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric, institutional pressure, and personality cult dynamics fit into historical patterns of authoritarianism -- Republican senators warn that Donald Trump's controversies and economic anxiety threaten to cost the Republican Party control of both the House and the Senate in the midterms -- Donald Trump forgets that he already endorsed Clay Fuller, claims total exoneration in the Jeffrey Epstein matter, and appears disconnected from key details surrounding his own allies -- Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly blames Donald Trump for fostering a bullying political culture that she warns could damage Republican chances in the midterms and deepen internal fractures within the movement -- New polling shows Donald Trump's approval rating at 34 percent, with economic frustration and cost of living concerns driving sharp erosion among financially struggling voters -- Dan Bongino reverses years of claims about hidden Jeffrey Epstein evidence after leaving the FBI, now saying the agency lacks the explosive material once promised -- Donald Trump posts a series of aggressive Truth Social messages attacking Democrats, threatening executive action on voter identification, and lashing out at critics including Bill Maher -- On the Bonus Show: Rev. Jesse Jackson dies at 84, Stephen Colbert says CBS blocked his James Talarico interview, Colorado could remove all penalties for prostitution, and much more...

The Washington Roundtable discusses Donald Trump's recent “explosion of the ego” and tendency toward megalomania, and they consider how the evolution of autocratic regimes in history can help us to predict how the rest of his Presidency may unfold. They are joined by Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, who is the author of “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present.” The group looks at how, as autocrats' popularity decreases—as Trump's has recently in the polls—these figures develop paranoia and entrench themselves in untenable positions, a phenomenon called “autocratic backfire.” “The key is that they end up constructing a kind of echo chamber. And so they overestimate their own abilities,” Ben-Ghiat says. “They start to believe their own propaganda.”This week's reading: “ ‘If We Don't Have Free Speech, Then We Just Don't Have a Free Country,' ” by Susan B. Glasser “Pam Bondi's Contempt for Congress,” by Ruth Marcus “Is There a Remedy for Presidential Profiteering?,” by David D. Kirkpatrick “What Does Xi Jinping Want?” by Isaac Chotiner “Bad Bunny's All-American Super Bowl Halftime Show,” by Kelefa Sanneh “Jeffrey Epstein's Bonfire of the Élites,” by John Cassidy Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

James Carville and Al hunt are joined on the sofa by Ruth Ben-Ghiat discussing the current landscape of education and authoritarianism, the characteristics of strongmen leaders, and the implications of fascism in modern politics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the rule of law, the reactionary nature of fascism, and the global authoritarian landscape. The discussion also touches on the future of democracy, leadership, and the challenges of restoring trust and diplomacy in America.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Authoritarianism and Strong Men02:54 The Nature of Strong Men and the Rule of Law05:50 Fascism and Its Characteristics09:16 The Reactionary Nature of Fascism12:07 The Global Landscape of Authoritarianism15:00 The Future of Democracy and Leadership17:55 Restoring Trust in America and Its Institutions

What City Will Trump, ICE, Noem Target Next? Trump is an Authoritarian Strongman. Is Martial Law & The Insurrection Act Coming Soon? Senator Kelly Sues Hegseth. Poll: New High of 45% in US Identify as Political Independents. Bye, Aaron Rodgers!   In this all-new episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff, host Paul Rieckhoff sits down with NYU historian and author Ruth Ben-Ghiat for a powerful, no-BS briefing on Trump, ICE, the “forever war” at home, and the global authoritarian threat. From Minneapolis to Venezuela, from the Insurrection Act to propaganda and personality cults, Ruth explains how strongmen operate, why so many Americans still underestimate the danger, and what every listener can do—right now—to defend democracy.​ Paul also opens the show with his trademark rapid-fire rundown of the day's chaos: ICE raids turning American cities into “ghost towns,” war-crime questions in Venezuela, a brutal new death toll in Iran, and another deadly night in Ukraine. He breaks down a new Gallup poll showing a record 45% of Americans now identify as political independents—and why that makes this community more important than ever.​ This is a must-hear episode for independents, veterans, national security pros, and anyone who feels that helicopters sound different now, that black vans mean something new, and that America is in a fight for its soul. As always, Paul brings the five I's—independence, integrity, information, inspiration, and impact—and Ruth brings the historical receipts. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Ruth's work at ruthbenghiat.com and follow her on Instagram or X. -Subscribe to Ruth's SubStack Lucid here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Harry talks to Anne Applebaum about the Trump administration's chaotic and slanted approach to ending the war in Ukraine. Applebaum exposes the perverse heavily pro-Russian underpinnings of the U.S. plan that kicked off the latest round of talks. After contrasting Ukraine's repudiation of corruption with Trump's embrace of it, the pair zoom out to discuss the global battle for democracy and what's still at stake on the frontlines in Eastern Europe. Plus, a bonus: a discussion with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, on the rise of authoritarians around the world, and their shared tactics. Mentioned in this episode: Applebaum's Substack: https://anneapplebaum.substack.com/ Applebaum's writing for the Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/anne-applebaum/ Ruth Ben-Ghiat's Substack: https://lucid.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've been listening to the Prospect Podcast, Media Confidential's sister podcast. To subscribe on Spotify, click HERE. For Apple podcasts, click HERE. In the final podcast of the year, Ellen and Alona look back at their favourite episodes from 2025. During a dark year, Prospect has been collecting glimmers of hope. They asked some of the most interesting thinkers today—from politics, to environment to tech—for their perspectives on hope and optimism. What keeps them fighting for a more just world?Philosopher Slavoj Zizek and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan talk about the merits of pessimism. Human rights lawyer Philippe Sands discusses justice in the age of international impunity, while authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat considers the situation in the US.Poet and writer Robert Macfarlane reflects on preserving nature in a time of destruction. Cory Doctorow and Laura Bates weigh in on transformations in technology and artificial intelligence. Yassmin Abdel-Magied discusses the humanitarianism crisis in Sudan, while Nicola Kelly explores the untold immigration story.Plus, veteran journalist and outgoing Prospect editor Alan Rusbridger joins the podcast to reflect on his journey, his mistakes, and how he feels about the future—including the contentious thing that unexpectedly makes him feel hopeful.You can revisit all our episodes from the past year here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we near the end of 2025, Trump has implemented Opus Dei's Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 to fundamentally gut America's core values and checks and balances. The depth of harm is incalculable and Americans are 70% against Trump's handling of the economy. Threats to free speech, ignoring Constitutional guarantees, unprecedented corruption and violence undermine people's feelings of safety and security. So we are resharing this vital interview in the hopes of educating and motivating millions of Americans and people worldwide to stand up for democracy and rule of law. In this discussion with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, we discuss the subtle and often sinister ways authoritarianism intertwines with the psychological mechanisms of control. We connect the dots from my experiences with cults and coercive persuasion. Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a historian, as an NYU professor and expert on fascism and authoritarianism. She is also a celebrated author,  Her book Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present explores the tactics of illiberal rulers and the history of resistance against them. With a focus on unraveling the complex tapestry of undue influence in modern politics, my discussion with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat sheds light on the intricate relationship between authoritarianism and its psychological underpinnings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final podcast of the year, Ellen and Alona look back at their favourite episodes from 2025. During a dark year, Prospect has been collecting glimmers of hope. They asked some of the most interesting thinkers today—from politics, to environment to tech—for their perspectives on hope and optimism. What keeps them fighting for a more just world?Philosopher Slavoj Zizek and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan talk about the merits of pessimism. Human rights lawyer Philippe Sands discusses justice in the age of international impunity, while authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat considers the situation in the US.Poet and writer Robert Macfarlane reflects on preserving nature in a time of destruction. Cory Doctorow and Laura Bates weigh in on transformations in technology and artificial intelligence. Yassmin Abdel-Magied discusses the humanitarianism crisis in Sudan, while Nicola Kelly explores the untold immigration story.Plus, veteran journalist and outgoing Prospect editor Alan Rusbridger joins the podcast to reflect on his journey, his mistakes, and how he feels about the future—including the contentious thing that unexpectedly makes him feel hopeful.You can revisit all our episodes from the past year here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, and propaganda. She is the recipient of Guggenheim and other fellowships; an advisor to Protect Democracy; an MSNBC opinion columnist and television commentator; and publishes Lucid, a newsletter on threats to democracy. Her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, looks at how illiberal leaders use propaganda, corruption, violence, and machismo - and how they can be defeated. Has Donald Trump been weakened by recent elections, scandals, and his own chaos and incompetence? Is he less of a threat to democracy today than he was in January? What might he do next as his approval continues to plummet and his desperation increases? How effective has the resistance movement been? And how concerned should we be about Pete Hegseth and Trump's grip on the military? Ruth shares her thoughts on these questions and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

October 3, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on President Trump's escalating power grabs and is joined by former SDNY prosecutor Maya Wiley and NYU's Ruth Ben Ghiat. Plus, Melber delivers an analysis of Taylor Swift's new album "The Life of a Showgirl." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump is not as dumb as he looks. Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins us today with a warning about Trump's next authoritarian moves. Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Join our free newsletter: https://hubs.ly/Q03jcbrc0 Strongmen by Run Ben-Ghiat https://ruthbenghiat.com/strongmen/ Ben-Ghiat's Substack: https://lucid.substack.com/ Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket Shop Democracy Docket merch: https://store.democracydocket.com #MarcElias #politics #democracy #news

We finally brought on an expert in fascism and authoritarian leaders, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, to answer our burning questions about Canks and the MAGA movement.Order our new book, join our cult, and more by clicking here: https://linktr.ee/ivehaditpodcast.Thank you to our sponsors:This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/HADITRoBody: Go to https://ro.co/hadit to see if you qualify.Homes.com: When it comes to finding a home - not just a house - we have everything you need to know, all in one place. https://homes.com. We've done your home work.Apretude by Viiv Healthcare: Learn more at https://APRETUDE.com or call 1-888-240-0340.Progressive: Give Progressive a try after this episode at https://Progressive.comFollow Us:I've Had It Podcast: @IvehaditpodcastJennifer Welch: @mizzwelchAngie "Pumps" Sullivan: @pumpspumpspumpsSpecial Guest: Ruth Ben-Ghiat @ruthbenghiatSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Bolsonaro to Orbán, what drives leaders who reject democratic norms—and what keeps them in power? One Decision hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dealove sit down to explore the makings of an authoritarian leader, including the times Sir Richard met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Later, they speak with historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat about the modern autocrat's playbook, and how tech oligarchs may be helping to shape a new version of authoritarianism from inside the system. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

What happens when a billionaire tech mogul starts to look less like a CEO and more like a modern-day messiah? This week, Chelsea, Amanda, and Reese team up with historian and authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) to explore the cult of personality surrounding Elon Musk. The man behind Tesla, SpaceX, X, and a growing empire of followers who treat his every post like prophecy. From the mysterious emerald mine origin story to estranged family ties, secret children, and that whole “saving humanity by going to Mars” thing, we unpack how Musk has cultivated a mythos that feels more like a belief system than a business plan. What does it mean when a company's success is inseparable from the quirks of its leader? And how does social media supercharge a fanbase into a digital congregation? We're breaking down the doublethink, the brand loyalty, and the bizarre Twitter-era sermons that keep the cult of Elon alive. Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles.  Thank you to our sponsors! Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/st3nalv7 #CashAppPod *Referral Reward Disclaimer: As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account.   Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULT to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULT Please consider donating to those affected by ICE activity in the LA Area. Team SLAC are donating to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, an LA-based immigrant rights organization providing legal services, policy advocacy, and direct aid to those most impacted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nicolle Wallace on the Trump administration's claim that Iran's nuclear program has been obliterated, a blow from the Senate Parliamentarian to the Republican spending bill, and one Democratic senator's new “economic war plan”.GUESTS: Courtney Kube, Julian Barnes, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, Vaughn Hillyard, Mitch Landrieu, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Amanda Carpenter, Jacob Soboroff and Andrea Flores.

Tonight on The Last Word: Outrage grows over the handcuffing of Senator Alex Padilla. Also, “No Kings” protests are expected in over 2,000 cities on Saturday. Plus, Iran launches retaliatory missiles into Israel. And Trump policies disrupt life on the U.S.-Canada border. M. Gessen, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, David Rothkopf, Sylvie Boudreau, and Rep. Becca Balint join Ali Velshi.

Critics are accusing President Donald Trump of assaulting America's democracy after he commandeered the National Guard and deployed Marines to California amid mostly peaceful protests against immigration raids. Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a cabinet member's press conference in his state of California and handcuffed after trying to ask a question. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Professor of History at New York University, joins The Weekend to discuss how similar actions played out in autocratic regimes throughout history.

Tonight on The Last Word: Conservatives slam Donald Trump's tariffs as unconstitutional. Also, tourism from nations hit by Trump's tariffs plummets. Plus, while leaving his White House role Elon Musk dodged a question about a New York Times reports on his alleged drug use on the campaign trail. And Trump pardons criminals convicted of tax and fraud crimes. Jared Bernstein, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and Brendan Ballou join Ali Velshi.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Friday, May 16, and reports on the new Supreme Court ruling dealing President Trump another loss and the latest on the Diddy trial. Plus, comedian and actor Ed Helms joins Melber. Plus, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Ankush Khardori join.

A quick Google search reveals many articles, commentaries, social media posts, and scholarly debates on whether or not America is sliding into an authoritarian state. But is that really what's going on here? Or is calling the current political climate “authoritarian” simply a case of liberals being melodramatic? Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and expert on fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection at New York University, joins The Excerpt to share her expertise. Also available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a recent pulse-check on the health of our democracy by Bright Line Watch, hundreds of scholars warned that the U.S. is heading swiftly toward authoritarianism. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history at New York University who specializes in the subject, explains how we got here. Plus, setbacks for Trump in court, pregnant people in states with abortion bans are almost twice as likely to die during pregnancy or soon after giving birth, and the hidden costs of being polite to a chatbot. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Nicolle Wallace on the political price of Trump's handling of the U.S. economy, the Trump family's increased efforts to profit from cryptocurrency, and dire circumstances in Ukraine as the Trump administration attempts to secure a peace deal.  Joined by: Robert Armstrong, Sarah Longwell, David Gura, David Yaffe-Bellany, Amb. Michael McFaul, Ben Rhodes, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Kevin Baron, and Harry Litman.

Nicolle Wallace discusses the new information on questionable privacy decisions made by Trump administration national security officials as fallout continues from Signalgate, Senator Cory Booker's marathon speech on the Senate floor, while Trump shows no signs of stopping his targeting of law firms that employ his perceived critics as another one capitulates, and more.Joined by: Sen. Chris Murphy, Mike Schmidt, Mary McCord, Kristy Greenberg, Nick Miroff, Tim Miller, Marc Elias, John Heilemann, and Ruth Ben-Ghiat.

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.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:Check out Ruth's book and newsletter – https://ruthbenghiat.com/Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Nicolle Wallace discusses new reporting that the Pentagon was planning to brief Elon Musk on military plans for a possible conflict with China, the ‘Fighting Oligarchy' tour's huge crowds while Republicans get heckled by dissatisfied voters, law firms and universities bending to the president's demands, and more.Joined by: Julian Barnes, Rev. Al Sharpton, General Barry McCaffrey, Rep. Jim Himes, Mitch Landrieu, Mike Schmidt, Kristy Greenberg, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and Allison Riggs.

Charles Coleman Jr. is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Douglas Brinkley, Janai Nelson, Lisa Rubin, Caroline Randall Williams, and Imani Perry.

Nicolle Wallace on rising public health concerns after Elon Musk's sweeping cuts to USAID, a major government contract Starlink is set to score, and the Trump administration's continued shift away from democratic norms.   Joined by: Dr. Craig Spencer, Dr. Michael Osterholm, John Heilemann, Kyle Lewis, Tim Miller, Marty Baron, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Marc Elias, Alan Rappeport, and Lesli Linka Glatter. 

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump abruptly fires Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman CQ Brown. Plus, Kash Patel is sworn in as Trump's new FBI director. Also, Trump attacks Zelenskyy while praising his talks with Putin. And PA State Rep. Mandy Steele warns against Trump's medical research cuts. Jennifer Rubin, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Michael McFaul also join Ali Velshi.

Nicolle Wallace on the stunning resignation of Manhattan's acting U.S. Attorney after being ordered by the Justice Department to drop the corruption charges against Eric Adams.   Joined by: Mimi Roche, Andrew Weissmann, Chris Hayes, Dr. Ashish Jha, Dr. Kavita Patel, Lisa Rubin, Michael Crowley, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Amb. Michael McFaul, and Alex Wagner.

Ali Velshi – in for Nicolle Wallace – on how the courts are pushing back against Trump's agenda, the consequences of his new tariffs, and the ultimate goal of Elon Musk's power grab.Joined by: Vaughn Hillyard, Melissa Murray, David Jolly, Sen. Tina Smith, Christine Romans, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Andrew Weissmann, Eddie Glaude, Jeff Stein, and John Hudson.

Nicolle Wallace on Team Trump's war against the nation's top law enforcement agency, the price American consumers will pay due to Trump's tariffs, and Elon Musk's sweeping plans to dismantle USAID.Joined by: Glenn Thrush, Ryan Reilly, Frank Figliuzzi, Andrew Weissmann, Yamiche Alcindor, Christine Romans, Vaughn Hillyard, Teddy Schleifer, Ben Rhodes, Garrett Graff, and Ruth Ben-Ghiat.

Nicolle Wallace on Southern California's ongoing wildfire crisis, the pending release of Jack Smith's election interference special report, questions of character ahead of Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearings, and MAGA's feuding factions. Joined by: Ellison Barber, Chad Augustin, Andrew Weissmann, Glenn Thrush, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Ben Rhodes, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Amy McGrath, Eddie Glaude, Tim Miller, and Liz Kreutz. 

Nicolle Wallace discusses the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history as it continues to ravage communities, Attorney General Merrick Garland's effort to release Jack Smith's Jan. 6 probe, President-elect Trump's attempt to avoid sentencing by taking it to the nation's highest court, and Meta's decision to end its fact-checking program.Joined by: Jacob Soboroff, Steve Patterson, Sen. Alex Padilla, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete, David Jolly, Mike Murphy, La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Michael Davitt, Dr. Vin Gupta, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and Angelo Carusone. 

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Monday, Jan. 6, and reports on the first election certification since the Jan. 6 insurrection. Douglas Brinkley, Neal Katyal, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Bill Kristol join.

Nicolle Wallace is joined by Brian Williams, Peter Baker, Rev. Al Sharpton, Basil Smikle, Steve Schmidt, Bill Adair, Stuart Stevens, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Eddie Glaude, Andrew Weissmann, and Dan Harris. To read the transcript of President Carter's ‘Malaise Speech', visit https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/address-the-nation-energy-and-national-goals-the-malaise-speech

Nicolle Wallace is joined by Mara Gay, Paul Rieckhoff, Matt Dowd, Tim Snyder, John Brennan, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Frank Figliuzzi, Tom Winter, and Marc Elias.

"The Bad Guys Are Winning," wrote Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic in 2021. "The War on History Is a War on Democracy," warned Timothy Snyder in The New York Times, also in 2021. "The GOP has found a Putin-lite to fawn over. That's bad news for democracy," argued Ruth Ben-Ghiat on MSNBC the following year, 2022. Within the last 10 years or so, and especially since the 2016 election of Trump, these authors — Anne Applebaum, Timothy Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, in addition to several others — have become liberal-friendly experts on authoritarianism. On a regular basis, they make appearances on cable news and in the pages of legacy newspapers and magazines–in some cases, as staff members–in order to warn of how individual, one-off “strongmen” like Trump, Putin, Orban, and Xi, made up a vague “authoritarian” axis hellbent on destroying Democracy for its own sake. But what good does this framing do and who does it absolve? Instead of meaningfully contending with US's sprawling imperial power and internal systems of oppression — namely being the largest carceral state in the world — these MSNBC historians reheat decades-old Axis of Evil or Cold War good vs evil rhetoric, pinning the horrors of centuries of political violence on individual "mad men." Meanwhile, they selectively invoke the "authoritarian" label, fretting about the need to save some abstract notion of democracy from geopolitical Bad Guys while remaining silent as the US funds, arms and backs the most authoritarian process imaginable — the immiseration and destruction of an entire people — specifically in Gaza. On this episode, we look at the advent and influence of MSNBC-approved historians, dissecting their selective anti-authoritarian posture and discussing how their work does little more than polish their careers and provide cover for US and US-allied militarism. Our guest is historian and author Greg Grandin.

Can the left replicate the success of Joe Rogan's podcast with one of their own? The New Abnormal co-hosts discuss. Plus! Jeb Lund and David J. Roth, the co-hosts of the It's Christmastown podcast, battle it out once again to determine who is the most Thanksgiving American. Then, author and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins the show to discuss the shift in Trump's regime and the narrative that is being presented from him and his followers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicolle Wallace is joined by Mike Schmidt, Kristy Greenberg, Basil Smikle, Tim Miller, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Carol Leonnig, Amy McGrath, Angelo Carusone, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and McKay Coppins. 

Nov 16, 2021In the Hot Notes: Alex Jones is on the hook for all legal fees stemming from Sandy Hook lawsuits; Mnuchin and Pompeo discussed ousting Trump on January 6th; Michael Flynn pressured contacts within the Department of Defense to overturn the 2020 election; Pfizer is seeking FDA EUA for it's covid 19 antiviral pill; plus Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Our Guest:Rick Smithhttps://twitter.com/RickSmithShowhttps://www.thericksmithshow.com/Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of STRONGMENhttps://www.bookbub.com/books/strongmen-by-ruth-ben-ghiat-2021-1 Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill substack|Muellershewrote, twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewroteDana Goldbergtwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.comHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to look at the validity of Republican lawsuits challenges to the election, explain how they're using them to create an aura of legitimacy around future claims of election fraud, relay their progress in the courts, and share the reasons we should be confident in the system.  Then, the #Sisters break down the defamation suit against Trump brought by the exonerated Central Park Five and discuss why civil judgments seem more effective at holding MAGA accountable than criminal verdicts.  They also explore the free speech issues raised by Ruth Ben-Ghiat's cancellation by the Naval Academy and the difference between process and substance when it comes to the 1st Amendment. Check out Jill's New Politicon YouTube Show: Just The Facts Check out Kim's New Politicon Podcast: Justice By Design Get your #SistersInLaw MERCH at politicon.com/merch WEBSITE & TRANSCRIPT Email: SISTERSINLAW@POLITICON.COM or Thread to @sistersInLaw.podcast Mentioned By The #Sisters: Ruth Ben-Ghiat's Substack From Kim on how courts are rejecting Trump's attacks on elections Broken Relationships Museum Kjartansson/The National- A Lot of Sorrow Get text updates from #SistersInLaw and Politicon.  Please Support This Week's Sponsors: Osea Malibu: Get 10% off your order of clean beauty products from OSEA Malibu, with free samples and free shipping on orders over $60, when you go to oseamalibu.com and use promo code: SISTERS OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code: SISTERS at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod LolaVie: Get 15% off LolaVie with the code: SIL15 at https://www.lolavie.com/sil15 #lolaviepod Wild Grain:  Get $30 off and free croissants in every box when you start your subscription to delicious quick-bake artisanal pastries, pasta, and bread at wildgrain.com/sisters with promo code: SISTERS Get Barb's New Book:  Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America Get More From #SistersInLaw Joyce Vance: Twitter | University of Alabama Law | MSNBC | Civil Discourse Substack Jill Wine-Banks: Twitter | Facebook | Website | Author of The Watergate Girl: My Fight For Truth & Justice Against A Criminal President | Just The Facts YouTube Kimberly Atkins Stohr: Twitter | Boston Globe | WBUR | Unbound Newsletter | Justice By Design Podcast Barb McQuade: Twitter | University of Michigan Law | Just Security | MSNBC