New Year, Same A**holes

E. Jean Carroll and the hosts argue that proximity to Donald Trump or his ideology 'unlocks the worst impulses in people.' They cite Jeff Bezos's 'dark turn' despite his wealth and Mark Zuckerberg's comments on men being 'neutered' in the workplace after interacting with Trump, as evidence of this corrupting effect. This influence leads individuals to justify or excuse immoral actions, becoming worse themselves.

Discussion of Jeff Bezos's 'dark turn' (11:47) and Mark Zuckerberg's comments on men being 'neutered' in the workplace (13:05) after interacting with Trump.

The hosts highlight that strict abortion bans, such as Oklahoma's 'no exceptions' law, disproportionately harm poor women. While affluent women can afford to travel to states with more permissive laws for necessary care, marginalized women lack this option, making these laws an attack on their economic and social standing rather than a universal restriction.

Discussion of Oklahoma's 'no exceptions' abortion law (15:43) and the need for women to travel to New Mexico, Colorado, or Kansas, emphasizing that this impacts 'poor women' (16:22).

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of 'Strongmen,' identifies three critical indicators of a society sliding towards authoritarianism: a president openly admiring dictators (e.g., Trump's praise for Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un), the systematic undermining of government functions (e.g., disaster relief, social security), and the politicization of the military, including the goal of using troops to police civilians.

Ben-Ghiat's discussion of a president admiring dictators (22:10), undermining government functions (23:19), and politicizing the military (24:02).

Autocrats deliberately discredit all forms of authority connected with institutions—judges, prosecutors, civil servants, teachers, librarians, and doctors. This tactic aims to politicize every aspect of society, disrupt unifying areas like schools and faith institutions, and ultimately dismantle the trust and common understanding of rules necessary for a cohesive society.

Ben-Ghiat's explanation of autocrats discrediting authorities from judges to school librarians (25:28) to politicize everything and disrupt unifying institutions (26:25).

For fiscally conservative voters, undermining the Fed and judiciary leads to a collapse of trust in regulatory and financial institutions. This results in disastrous economic policies, executive overreach, tariffs that harm businesses, and a weakening of the national economy. Such actions can inadvertently empower economic adversaries, as seen with policies allowing China to succeed in clean energy sectors.

Ben-Ghiat's discussion of undermining confidence in regulatory and financial institutions, business-harming executive orders, tariffs, and how these actions allow China to succeed (28:15).

Authoritarian leaders, driven by insatiable egos, demand constant adulation and loyalty from their subordinates and powerful figures, often through public spectacles. These 'show and tell trophy hours' humiliate oligarchs and ministers, forcing them to praise the leader. Failure to renew loyalty daily or exhibiting too much competence can lead to demotion or severe consequences, as seen in Putin's Russia where critics 'fall out of windows.'

Ben-Ghiat's description of Trump's 'show and tell trophy hour' (30:37), comparison to Bocasa's office (31:56), and the fate of Putin's oligarchs (33:52).