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Ruth Ben-Ghiat on the Midterms, Democrat Control and Accountability, and Trump's Autocratic Overreach as his Time is Running Out

Episode 572: Ruth Ben-Ghiat on the Midterms, Democrat Control and Accountability, and Trump's Autocratic Overreach as his Time is Running Out

Professor, author, opinion columnist, MS NOW commentator, and fascism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Show notes

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 and I discuss the midterm results and what they mean for America heading into '27; the road ahead for Democrats and Republicans as Congress prepares for a change in power; the trend towards rejecting autocracy both here and abroad; and the lingering concerns over what the weakened, lame-duck Trump and his corrupt DOJ may attempt as his time is running out. Don't miss this incredibly insightful conversation.

But first, Andy and The Back Room crew discuss the latest election results, Hegseth's humiliating Tomb of the Unknown Soldier fiasco, and the NVIDIA/Jensen Huang scandal. Plus, the week's winners and losers, and Andy's rant on the Power of the People.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
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Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Ruth Ben-Ghiat

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