The U.S. has been a model for other aspiring democracies since 1776. At the same time, the idea of America as the leader of the democratic world has also had a unifying effect at home. It’s what has kept this diverse country of many faiths and ethnicities together, and it has been our national identity. But with Trump actively undermining those ideals, what will we be unified around? Plus, the potential new whites-favored refugee policy, Trump’s psychological comfort to the Russian war effort, Hegseth got himself a state media press room at the Pentagon, JD is totally cool with lots of Nazi talk—and could the administration be trying to start a war in Venezuela so it can expand its militaristic crackdown on the streets here?

Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller.

show notes

Anne's new piece, "The Beacon of Democracy Goes Dark"
Anne on the Nobel Peace Prize winner
"Ukraine’s Plan to Starve the Russian War Machine," by Anne
Ian McEwan's "What We Know" — second recommendation this week!
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Anne Applebaum: The Loss of 'Democratic Faith'

The Bulwark Podcast