Ep. 268: Donald Trump's Authoritarianism Report Card

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a historian at New York University who specializes in authoritarianism, aesthetics, cultural politics, and Italian history. She is the author of numerous books including an upcoming project on authoritarianism and political strongmen. Ben-Ghiat is also a regular contributor to CNN, The Atlantic, and The Huffington Post.

Professor Ben-Ghiat explains how Donald Trump is continuing to wear down America’s democratic institutions – and the public – to a point where authoritarian rule will be accepted as the new normal. Ben-Ghiat also warns how Trump leads a personality cult, which in keeping with how authoritarian regimes have historically taken power, is consuming the American government.

And Professor Ben-Ghiat predicts that Donald Trump is still waiting for the moment when he can declare a national emergency and fully take power by suspending the Constitution and the rule of law.

****If you learn from and enjoy The Chauncey DeVega Show please show some love by making a donation to support the podcast via the Paypal link at ChaunceyDeVega.com or through Patreon. We are 90 percent to the goal and your help in reaching it would be so appreciated.

I do not run commercials or advertisements here on The Chauncey DeVega Show despite having received many offers to do so. Instead, The Chauncey DeVega Show relies upon your generosity and kindness during its two fundraisers each year. Your generosity and goodness allows the show to continue, stay commercial-free, and grow.****

Chauncey DeVega explains how Donald Trump created a crisis with Iran by killing Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani in order to distract the American people from impeachment. And Chauncey also shares his thoughts on “democracy fatigue” and how people can take that energy and turn it into resistance and other productive action against the Age of Trump.

SELECTED LINKS OF INTEREST FOR THIS EPISODE OF THE CHAUNCEY DEVEGA SHOW  

Iran and Donald Trump's mind: Is this crisis his Reichstag fire? Here's What War With Iran Would Actually Look Like Congress: War Profiteering Is Real. We Need to End It. Increased Tensions With Iran Could Boost Defense Spending Trump’s Distraction by Assassination Susan Rice tears into Trump over "despicable lies" on Obama and Iran

WHERE CAN YOU FIND ME?

On Twitter:

https://twitter.com/chaunceydevega

On Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/chauncey.devega

My email:

chaunceydevega@gmail.com

Leave a voicemail for The Chauncey DeVega Show:

(262) 864-0154

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE CHAUNCEY DEVEGA SHOW?

Via Paypal at ChaunceyDeVega.com

Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/thechaunceydevegashow

Please subscribe to and follow my new podcast The Truth Report

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-report-with-chauncey-devega/id1465522298

http://thetruthreportwithchaunceydevega.libsyn.com/

Music at the end of this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show is by JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. You can listen to some of their great music on Spotify.