Podcast appearances and mentions of ruth ben ghiat

We just talked live with our regular Monday guest, the scholar of authoritarianism Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and 2,400 of you, and she told us about:* How the new budget turns ICE — the masked, unidentified, plainclothes agents who've been taking people off the streets — into something new for America: a secret police force. * Why masked gangs of enforcers are a “force multiplier of fear,” letting authoritarians exercise power beyond their numbers and popular support.* How to reclaim patriotism from the far-right and own it — the far-right isn't the ship, it's a barnacle.* Rejecting the idea of a fortress America in favor of the older, better idea of a nation of immigrants, with all of its diverse flavors and tastes.* How Hungary's fearless Pride marchers point the way forward for opposing authoritarianism.You won't want to miss any of it. Just click on the video player above to watch the entire conversation.We are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that you support the work that goes into bringing you The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Your support is how we keep the lights on, pay our writers and editors a fair wage, and build the new media we all deserve. When you subscribe, you help us reach more people. Join us today, or if you are already a member, give a gift or group subscription.And if you haven't already, please subscribe to Ruth Ben-Ghiat's newsletter, Lucid.Join us for more Live conversations this week!Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 8, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, we'll be joined by former Department of Homeland Security official and Donald Trump critic Miles Taylor and Wesleyan University president Michael S. Roth. Then on Wednesday, July 9, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, we'll meet with The Ink Book Club. And on Thursday, July 10, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, we'll talk again with messaging guru Anat Shenker-Osorio.To join and watch, download the Substack app (click on the button below) and turn on notifications — you'll get an alert once we're live, and you can watch, chat, and even participate in the conversation during our Book Club meetings from your iOS or Android mobile device. If you're using a computer, you can also watch (and ask questions in the text chat) on our homepage. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

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

We just talked live to our regular Monday guest, the scholar of authoritarianism Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and 2,600 of you. We dug into Trump's war on reality itself, as evidenced in his lies about the success of his bombings of Iran's nuclear sites, and the gaslighting of calling Trump's cruel budget “beautiful.”Ruth explained how Trump has been able to achieve many of the goals of dictators even as the United States remains a largely free society. The ends may be the same, but Trump is adapting the means to what is legally possible in the United States.We also talked about how Zohran Mamdani's victory as an unabashed progressive in New York City may point the way toward beating Trumpism — if the Democratic Party can be pressured to learn any lessons.We are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that you support the work that goes into bringing you The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Your support is how we keep the lights on, pay our writers and editors a fair wage, and build the new media we all deserve. When you subscribe, you help us reach more people. Join us today, or if you are already a member, give a gift or group subscription.And if you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe to Ruth Ben-Ghiat's newsletter, Lucid.Join us for more Live conversation this week!Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, we'll be talking to foreign policy expert Matt Duss.To join and watch, download the Substack app (click on the button below) and turn on notifications — you'll get an alert once we're live, and you can watch, chat, and even participate in the conversation during our Book Club meetings from your iOS or Android mobile device. If you're using a computer, you can also watch (and ask questions in the text chat) on our homepage. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

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.

Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayoral primary has electrified people across the country and stirred hope in the dark. So today we talked to three experts — messaging guru Anat Shenker-Osorio, strategist and writer Waleed Shahid, and New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander — to understand what happened in the race and what it bodes for the future of the Democratic Party.Shenker-Osorio talked to us about how Mamdani's campaign was a textbook example of two of her political mantras — Sell the brownie, not the recipe, and Animate the base to persuade the middle.Lander took us inside how he and Mamdani were able to do what Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders ultimately weren't in 2020 — collaborate as progressives to advance shared goals. He told us about how their partnership helped bridge the gap between Muslim and Jewish voters, and how it demonstrated that, even in this very dark timeline, politics can be a team sport instead of a contest of self-interest.And Shahid talked about Mamdani's win as a triumph of substance, not vibes. Mamdani's real talk about Palestinians and the war in Gaza, about democratic socialist policy ideas, and about himself were all important in telling a story that could connect Democrats across ideology. He also talked about the very real work that remains to be done if progressive candidates are to do better with Black voters.We are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that you support the work that goes into bringing you The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Your support is how we keep the lights on, pay our writers and editors a fair wage, and build the new media we all deserve. When you subscribe, you help us reach more people. Join us today, or if you are already a member, give a gift or group subscription.Join us for more Live conversations next week!On Monday, June 30, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, we'll be joined by scholar of authoritarianism Ruth Ben-Ghiat. On Tuesday, July 1, also at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, we'll be talking to foreign policy expert and former Bernie Sanders advisor Matt Duss. Then on Wednesday, July 2, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, we'll meet with the Book Club to start talking about Karim Dimechkie's The Uproar.To join and watch, download the Substack app (click on the button below) and turn on notifications — you'll get an alert once we're live, and you can watch, chat, and even participate in the conversation during our Book Club meetings from your iOS or Android mobile device. If you're using a computer, you can also watch (and ask questions in the text chat) on our homepage. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

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. What's happening in Los Angeles with Trump's use of the National Guard and the Marines? What's his end goal? Are we headed towards autocracy? How effective are the No Kings protests and the resistance movement? And how can her book serve as a guide for navigating through this existential crisis? Ruth answers these questions and more. Don't miss this incredibly insightful conversation. 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

Today, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, scholar of authoritarian regimes, joined 3,000 Ink and Lucid readers to discuss the weekend's dueling events: the huge turnout all over the country for No Kings rallies, and the much smaller crowds that turned out for Donald Trump's limp military spectacle in Washington, D.C.Trump may have big authoritarian pretensions, but why was it so hard for him to get the military parade he dreamed of? We discuss.We are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that you support the work that goes into bringing you The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Your support is how we keep the lights on, pay our writers and editors a fair wage, and build the new media we all deserve. When you subscribe, you help us reach more people. Join us today, or if you are already a member, give a gift or group subscription.And for more of Ruth Ben-Ghiat's thinking on authoritarianism, its history, and its future, make sure to subscribe to her newsletter, Lucid. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

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.

To coin a proverb, one fascism scholar is an expert; two is an unlawful gathering. So today we talked with scholars of fascism Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Jason Stanley (and 4,100 readers) about whether Donald Trump's disproportionate response to anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles puts the United States further down the path towards a police state — or opens up possibilities for an effective and sustained mass response.Both suggest that Trump is over-responding to the Los Angeles protests as “insurance” — he's not concerned these protests specifically; like the military parade planned for next week, it's about habituating Americans to seeing force on the streets, to pressure people not to protect their neighbors and communities, because the regime is weak, not strong. And as benefits stop and the economy contracts, Ruth suggests, a reckoning — and a real mass movement — is on the way.What does that look like? As Jason told us, it's going to require something new. “Fascism is a revolution,” he says, “and you cannot defeat a revolution by returning to the status quo.” “When we resist,” says Ruth, “we're modeling a different ethos — becoming part of something bigger.”We're keeping this video open to all. If you appreciate the work that goes into The Ink and haven't already done so, we hope you'll become a supporting subscriber.Your support is how we keep the lights on, pay our writers and editors a fair wage, and build the new media we all deserve. And when you subscribe, you help us reach more people.Join us today, or if you are already a member, give a gift or group subscription.And if you haven't yet, make sure to subscribe to Ruth Ben-Ghiat's newsletter, Lucid. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

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.

We just got off another truly inspiring Live conversation, this time with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the former physician, epidemiologist, and public health official running for Senate in Michigan. He talked to us about what being a child of immigrants taught him about America, why he moved from public health to politics, his vision for the future, and why defeating Trump isn't just about winning the political fight, but winning the peace with a radical empathy that addresses the insecurity MAGA voters feel, and brings them around to a shared idea of the America that could be.As El-Sayed told us:So often we are so frustrated by where we are as a society, about all the pain that we've seen at the hands of Donald Trump, that we want to go to those folks who support him and be like, “Don't you see how stupid this decision was?” And we want to prove them wrong.And I think if we're serious about the future, we've got to get them to being right. And that's a very different process.That's not about me being right and you being wrong. That's about you being right because I created a space within which you felt safe enough to have a sense where you could look at facts and reality and say, “You know what? I made a mistake.” Where we're not going to jump on them and be like, “Yeah, you did.” No, no. Hey, we're all trying to move forward here. We get that sometimes when scary, powerful people come along, that they turn other people against the truth. So let's get folks to be right.You won't want to miss this one, and we hope you'll share it far and wide. Let's keep going. Let's keep growing. Thank you, one and all.This was a great conversation, and one which we think everyone needs to hear, so we're keeping it open to all in the spirit of public service. We're trying to be good citizens by keeping as many of these conversations as we can open to all. A lot of other newsletters don't do that. But we want to know if people will support our work even when we do make it available at no cost.If you appreciate this labor and haven't already done so, we hope you'll become a supporting subscriber.That's how we keep the lights on, pay our writers and editors a fair wage, and build the new media we all deserve. When you subscribe, you help us reach more people.Join us today. Or give a gift or group subscription.A programming note: More Live conversation!Join us again on Monday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, when we'll be back with scholar of fascism Ruth Ben-Ghiat. We hope to see you all there!To join and watch, download the Substack app (click on the button below) and turn on notifications — you'll get an alert that we're live and you can watch from your iOS or Android mobile device. And if you haven't already, subscribe to The Ink to access full videos of past conversations and to join the chat during our live events.Readers like you make The Ink possible and keep it independent. If you haven't already joined us, sign up today for our mailing list, support our work, and help build a free and fearless media future by becoming a paying subscriber. And if you're already a part of our community, thank you! And we'd appreciate it if you'd consider giving a subscription to The Ink as a gift or for a group you belong to. Or pick up a mug, tote bag, or T-shirt! We appreciate it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the.ink/subscribe

Has the United States become an autocracy? As Donald Trump marks his 100th day in office, Ellen and Alona are joined by Ruth Ben-Ghiat, scholar of authoritarianism and author of Strongmen: from Mussolini to the present (2020). She also writes a Substack called “Lucid” which focuses on autocracy.Ruth analyses the Trump administration's rapid shift towards authoritarianism. She talks about Trump's personality cult, how strongmen portray machismo and the potential for a female strongman figure. She also discusses how autocrats use corruption, violence and propaganda to stay in power, and how ICE roundups echo the past, resembling a “secret police force”.Ruth answers: can the Democrats can learn anything from Trump? What's the best way to challenge an illiberal president? And how does this end?Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss their bookshelves for this week's “banger or dud”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Last weekend, #teslatakedown had its biggest global day of action yet. This coming Saturday, April 5, nearly 1,000 “Hands Off!” rallies are scheduled across the U.S. Is this the beginning of large-scale resistance to the Trump-Musk(-Vance?) regime?We just talked to Ruth Ben-Ghiat and nearly 4,000 readers of Lucid and The Ink about their hopes and plans for the upcoming protests, about what to make of Yale intellectuals going into exile, about why so many of our power elites seem to see their f**k-you money as f**k-me money, how to deal with authoritarian trial balloons involving Greenland and a third term, and what is working in the resistance.Share this far and wide. Subscribe to Lucid. And let's keep going. Let's keep growing. Thank you one and all.In the public interest, we are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that folks support the half dozen or so people who now write for and edit and otherwise support the work of The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Take a moment to support fearless, independent reporting, and to help us keep bringing you conversations like this one. Or give a gift or group subscription.Stand up for media that bows to no tyrant or billionaire. Join us today. Or give a gift or group subscription. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

BigTentUSA hosted a crucial conversation with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, historian and author, and Barbara McQuade, former U.S. Attorney and MSNBC Legal Analyst. Kimberly Atkins Stohr, senior opinion writer and columnist at The Boston Globe, moderated the conversation.Both Ben-Ghiat and McQuade are recognized for their expertise in analyzing and addressing challenges to democratic institutions and the rule of law. Together, they discussed connections between historical fascist tactics and the current threats facing America today. This timely discussion shed light on the strategies used to manipulate public perception, erode trust in democracy, and consolidate power—offered insights into how we can resist and respond.ABOUT THE SPEAKERSRuth Ben-Ghiat is a Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University, specializing in the study of fascism, authoritarianism, and propaganda. She has authored several books, including the New York Times bestseller Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, which examines how illiberal leaders use propaganda, corruption, violence, and machismo to maintain power. In addition to her academic work, Ben-Ghiat publishes “Lucid,” a Substack newsletter focused on threats to democracy, and serves as an advisor to Protect Democracy.Barbara McQuade is a professor from practice at the University of Michigan Law School, her alma mater, where she teaches courses in criminal law, criminal procedure, national security, and data privacy. She is also a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, and a co-host of the podcast #SistersInLaw. From 2010 to 2017, McQuade served as U.S Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Ms. McQuade was appointed by President Barack Obama, and was the first woman to serve in her position. Earlier in her career, she worked as a sports writer and copy editor, a judicial law clerk, an associate in private practice, and an assistant U.S. attorney. She is also the Author of Attack From Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America.Kimberly Atkins Stohr is a senior opinion writer and columnist at The Boston Globe. She is also an MSNBC contributor, a frequent panelist on NBC's “Meet the Press,” and co-host of the weekly Politicon legal news podcast #SistersInLaw. Previously, Kim was the inaugural columnist for The Emancipator, a collaboration between The Boston Globe and Boston University's Center for Antiracist Research that reframes the conversation about racial justice and equality. Download her newest Podcast: Justice By Design HERE.Watch YouTube Recording Learn More: BigTentUSA This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bigtentnews.substack.com

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.

What if the way Trump has bent American elites to his will is also the key to beating him?We talked earlier this afternoon with Ruth Ben-Ghiat — and more than 5,000 readers of The Ink and Lucid — about her new piece about moral collapse under Trump. Ruth writes about how Trump has attacked the idea of America at the level of the human soul, hollowing out not just institutions but people. But that also means an organized opposition can take the moral high ground and remind Americans of what they can be, beyond Trump.What does — or could — that kind of resistance look like? Can a progressive movement get the fossilized Democratic Party to face a reckoning? Is it time for a leadership fight, even if it seems inconvenient — and could that fight within the Democratic Party help mobilize people against authoritarianism?More people want to be free than want to be chained. A real opposition has to build solidarity, and bring together a coalition of movement organizations, faith groups, and labor — but it also needs to offer a better vision of life, and of what this country can be.Share this far and wide. Subscribe to Lucid. And let's keep going. Let's keep growing. Thank you one and all.In the public interest, we are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that folks support the half dozen or so people who now write for and edit and otherwise support the work of The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Take a moment to support fearless, independent reporting, and to help us keep bringing you conversations like this one. Or give a gift or group subscription.Stand up for media that bows to no tyrant or billionaire. Join us today. Or give a gift or group subscription. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

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.

On this week's episode of 'The Saturday Show with Jonathan Capehart': Bully. President Trump is using the bully pulpit of the presidency to bend critics and the reluctant at home and abroad to his will. Ruth Ben-Ghiat will explain how this fits an authoritarian pattern. And Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joins me to discuss Trump's daily threats to federal workers and agencies, and his new demand of support for Speaker Johnson's new short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown in 6 days. D.C.'s Dilemma: The mayor of the nation's capitol, Muriel Bowser joins me for a wide-ranging conversation, from Trump's threat of a federal takeover to why D.C.'s relationship with the President and Congress is way more fraught than any other city or state in the country. Social Insecurity. Martin O'Malley, former commissioner of the Social Security Administration, explains why he says recent cuts to the safety net for millions of seniors could collapse the program in 90 days or less. And, on Wisconsin: Another crucial race for that state's Supreme Court that could swing the ideological majority conservative. Judge Susan Crawford is running to ensure the court maintains its 4-3 liberal majortiy and explains her platform. All that and more on “The Saturday Show with Jonathan Capehart.” 

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit the.inkWe just finished talking with Ruth Ben-Ghiat — and 5,111 Ink and Lucid readers — about the world-changing meeting in the Oval Office last Friday and much more.We talked about:* Some new language from Trump that Ruth noticed in the Oval Office meeting that reeks of his being compromised* The end of the “Free World” and the new incarnation America the meeting seemed to soft launch* How the USAID and other cuts dovetail with a Kremlin agenda of reducing the American footprint in the world* Elon Musk's DOGE rampage as the grift that keeps on giving, as captured by a surreal new photograph this week* Whether the Democratic Party even knows it has a problem* Why it's so important to refuse the story of your powerlessness, even as you find ways to take care of yourself and yoursAs always, these Lives are open to all who join. Later, we post the full videos for our supporting subscribers to rewatch and share.Above, a short preview is open to all. If you want to watch the whole thing, subscribe. That's how we keep the lights on, pay our writers and editors a fair wage, and build the new media we all deserve.Stand up for media that bows to no tyrant or billionaire. Join us today.

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. 

Hey, folks! Anand here.I just had another informative, illuminating, head-spinning, therapeutic, and, dare I say, healing conversation with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, the scholar of authoritarianism and editor of Lucid, the newsletter covering autocracy and threats to democracy globally.Thank you to the more than 4,000 of you who joined live. Talk about building a new kind of media. Wow. We are floored.People who like freedom and democracy turn out to be numerous. That is good news.If you missed our live conversation, we encourage you to watch the entire video above.In the public interest, we are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that folks support the half dozen or so people who now write for and edit and otherwise support the work of The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Take a moment to support fearless, independent reporting, and to help us keep bringing you conversations like this one. Or give a gift or group subscription.Your support allows us to open these ideas to as many people as possible, no paywall.Call notes from The Ink's managing editor, Michael BerkWe covered a lot of territory:* It's the three-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and, even more significantly, perhaps the end of an 80-year transatlantic era as Donald Trump does his best to withdraw from America's commitments and replace them with a mafioso, art-of-the-deal transactionalism — and we talked about how this leaves a vacuum for Russian and Chinese power.* We talked about the continuing failure of legacy media to call things what they are — to continue to tell the story of what Trump and Musk are up to as a business story, of Musk applying startup techniques to government, of Trump acting like a businessman — when, Ben-Ghiat reminds us, these “drain the swamp” efforts are one of the oldest authoritarian scams.* We looked at what the German elections might mean, and saw some signs of hope in the AfD's underperformance — and the way in which young voters turned to the left in big numbers. For Ben-Ghiat, this is a lesson that, to oppose autocrats, you can't run to the center — you need to dig in and stand for progressive values.* And, as we often do, we talked about the psychological ground of politics, about how Musk's OPM letter demanding federal employees justify their existence in bullet points is part of an overall strategy to create trauma, one that goes back to Project 2025 and OPM head Russell Vought's plan to keep government workers in distress. As Ben-Ghiat told us, this is part of the playbook: authoritarians threaten — and they don't need to act further because people just obey. That's what people need to resist.Everyone should head over to Lucid, by the way, and read Ben-Ghiat's account of her disinvitation from delivering her Bancroft Lecture at the U.S. Naval Academy — it's a case study in how authoritarians stifle dissent and something everyone should be aware of — because it illustrates how afraid they are of that dissent, and how critical it is to express it.Marching ordersWe've been trying to turn these talks into opportunities and come up with advice you can act on right away.A point we kept coming back to in this morning's conversation was that our sense of alarm is not joined by enough people. We are outnumbered by people who are broadly sympathetic but not alarmed. And that's something that we need to change.Our marching orders for you this week are simple:Be the anti-fascist skunk at the garden party of apathy and obedience.If you hear about local protests, tell everyone — as Anat Shenker-Osorio told us last week, creating social proof — giving people the incentive to act like they think their neighbors are acting — is essential to building political power, and it's easy to get started.* The enemy is denial and the desire for life to go on, to be able to go about your business as usual. It's up to us to make the connections, to show people how what Trump and Musk are doing will make business-as-usual impossible.* If you hear about local protests, tell people, spread the news — if people think nobody is resisting, that creates negative momentum. So create positive momentum* Most people don't want to be subjugated — they want to be free. Remind them.Again, in the public interest, we are opening this video to all. But we're also asking candidly that folks support the half dozen or so people who now write for and edit and otherwise support the work of The Ink by becoming a paying subscriber.Take a moment to support fearless, independent reporting, and to help us keep bringing you conversations like this one. Or give a gift or group subscription.Your support allows us to open these ideas to as many people as possible, no paywall. Get full access to The.Ink at the.ink/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit the.inkRuth Ben-Ghiat has the answers so many of us have been desperate for, ever since fascism leapt out of the history pages and became a modern-day American menace, so we've been making sure to check in with her every week for a wide-ranging conversation about the Trump administration's hostile takeover of America, and what we can do about it.We'll be talking with Ben-Ghiat again this coming Monday, February 24, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time — that's an hour and a half earlier than usual, so mark your calendars — and pardon this late-breaking change! We're looking forward to it as we always do, and we'd love for you to join us. In the meantime, watch this past week's conversation above, and subscribe to Ben-Ghiat's great newsletter, Lucid, to catch up with all of her in-depth analysis of what we're facing in this moment and her thoughts on what we can learn from her study of authoritarian regimes around the world. It's an essential resource in these times.To join and watch, download the Substack app (click on the button below) and turn on notifications — you'll get an alert that we're live and you can watch from your iOS or Android mobile device. And if you haven't already, subscribe to The Ink to access full videos of past conversations and to join the chat during our live events.See you on Monday!Readers like you make The Ink possible and keep it independent. Sign up to join our mailing list, support my work, and help build a free and fearless media future by becoming a paying subscriber today. And when you join, you'll get full access to videos like these. And if you're already a part of our community, thank you!

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.

We explore the future of leadership, focusing on cognitive levels, emotional intelligence, and trust with Todd Hollow Bist. We discuss the importance of self-awareness, using presence to regulate emotions, and fostering breakthrough conversations in challenging environments. We consider the role of psychological age in leadership, how dialectic thinking can drive innovation, and practical techniques for building trust and enhancing team dynamics. SHOWNOTES are here.  Key Quotes "Our work begins with understanding, not judgment, seeking common ground through shared strengths." Zoë Routh "The brain wants to grow, but ambiguity and stress can push us down in cognitive levels." – Todd Hollow Bist "Presence is the muscle we use to stay at our best cognitive levels and resist being triggered into reactive behaviour." – Todd Hollow Bist "Leadership is about understanding people at a deeper level—not just what they say, but how they feel about it." – Todd Hollow Bist Questions Asked How can leaders have breakthrough conversations in a polarised world? What are cognitive levels, and how do they shape leadership effectiveness? How does psychological age affect adult behaviour in leadership settings? What is dialectic thinking, and how can it lead to innovative conversations? What are practical ways to develop greater self-awareness as a leader? Take Action Reflect on how ambiguity and stress influence your decision-making and emotional responses. Practise presence as a way to regulate emotions and maintain leadership effectiveness. Engage in dialectic thinking: next time you have a disagreement, focus on understanding the other person's feelings, not just their argument. Observe how psychological age manifests in yourself and your team. Are you reacting from a mature, adult state or reverting to earlier behavioural patterns? Tip of the Week Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You'll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff. Key Moments 00:00 - Welcome back to the show 00:28 - Reflections on the current political climate 01:07 - Personal updates and Magic Mind 06:39 - Introducing Todd Hollow Bist 07:45 - Todd's journey into leadership 11:07 - Understanding cognitive levels 24:16 - Practical applications of cognitive levels 31:11 - Navigating emotional responses in leadership 32:10 - The role of empathy in building trust 34:45 - Recognising and testing trust in relationships 39:20 - Developing self-awareness and cognitive levels 49:52 - Dialectic thinking for innovative conversations 53:03 - Rapid-fire questions and leadership insights 58:43 - Book recommendation: Strongmen by Ruth Ben-Ghiat 59:47 - Closing thoughts and encouragement   Power Games Kickstarter Campaign, sign up here:  https://www.zoerouth.com/power-games   MagicMind Nootropic: They have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code TFLPOD20 at checkout. You can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/TFLPOD  

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.

Fascism and authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins the show to discuss President Donald Trump's first few days in office, the classic strongman tactics he's already using to consolidate power, and what we can do to fight back against authoritarian creep. Daniella and Colin also talk about Trump's most dangerous executive orders.

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.

Trump's Ominous Response to the Recent Terrorist Attacks | An American Despot is About to Take Charge With So Much More Power Than Hitler Had in 1933 | A Republican Court Kills Net Neutrality to Reward Unpopular and Antiquated Cable and Telecom Giants backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

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

Tonight on The Last Word: Democratic governors vow to protect their states from Donald Trump. Also, Vice President Harris says we will never give up the fight for our democracy. And authoritarian world leaders praise Trump's victory. Rep.-elect Eugene Vindman, Caroline Randall Williams, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and Michael Beschloss join Ali Velshi.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Friday, November 8, and reports on Donald Trump's plans for his second term and reactions to the 2024 Election. Former Governor Howard Dean joins to discuss. Michele Norris, Chai Komanduri, and Ruth Ben-Ghiat also join the show.

Nov 3, 2021In the Hot Notes: Republican Glenn Youngkin wins Virginia, but Dems do well pretty much everywhere else; House Democrats are putting Paid Family Leave BACK into the budget reconciliation; Senate Republicans filibuster voting rights for the fourth time; Merrick Garland drops a pair of Trump legal challenges that blocked federal benefits for same-sex couples; plus Dana and Allison deliver your Good News.Our Guest:Ruth Ben-Ghiathttps://twitter.com/ruthbenghiathttps://lucid.substack.com/p/welcome-to-lucid 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 https://muellershewrote.substack.comhttps://twitter.com/MuellerSheWrotehttps://www.threads.net/@muellershewrotehttps://www.tiktok.com/@muellershewrotehttps://instagram.com/muellershewroteDana Goldberghttps://twitter.com/DGComedyhttps://www.instagram.com/dgcomedyhttps://www.facebook.com/dgcomedyhttps://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

Tonight on All In. Breaking news as Israel strikes Iran. Then, we go to Houston as Beyonce takes the stage for the Harris campaign and Democrats make a stand for reproductive rights. Meanwhile, Donald Trump finds a new message. 11 days out, how Republicans are working through their support of a strongman. And why one MAGA lawmaker says Donald Trump should be awarded a win in North Carolina before the votes are even counted.Guests: Courtney Kube, Ayman Mohyeldin, Ben Rhodes, Michael Beschloss, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Dr. William Barber, Alexi Mccammond, Tatishe Nteta Want more of Chris? Download and subscribe to his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.