Excellent piece Ruth! Interesting that Trump trotted out his usual arguments, but this time with a record; where in 2016 he had none. Further, his references to Biden are arguably projection. Thank you for making us think!
Of all of the nasty rhetoric that has been spewed by the Orange Menace to Society, I think this speech was by far the most terrifying. He has absolutely laid out what his return to power will mean. It will be ugly, violent, vengeful. No one will be safe. He will start by having his mob and his minions take out the most vulnerable - LGBTQ+ people. And then move on to anyone who has wronged him - all Democrats, most of the press, more than a few Republicans not deemed to be sufficiently loyal. He cannot be allowed back into power.
As Keith Olberman says as he closes his daily podcast "Arrest Trump now while we still can!"
Secondary psychopaths like Trump get great joy from hurting others because they have no remorse, no conscience and are sadistic. They see vengeance as a virtue. Trump needs to be institutionalized.
These parallels between Mussolini and Trump are deeply disturbing. It seems that Trump has exceeded Mussolini in his bombastic claims of victim/savior. It’s absolutely stunning that his followers and supporters have granted him a pass on a huge array of crimes and wrong doing. What’s unbelievable, to me, is the apparent worship of a person, that in almost all other circumstances would have been incarcerated because of their extreme danger to society/humanity. As Professor Eddie Glaude stated in a recent MSNBC Interview, commenting on the apparent acceptance of Trump’s conduct, “when lipstick is placed on a pig, the pig is still a pig.”
Ruth, you do not have to answer me directly, but perhaps sometime you might write about more on how peace loving people may most effectively resist and attempt to change, or enlighten others, the forces of hate and division in the world. What is the most effective way to stop fascism, in other words?
Tall request, I know. Very interested in any and all thoughts you have written about or are considering about how the forces for the common good (weal) may join together to overcome the forces of evil. Is it possible? Thank you for being you, Ruth!
Great piece, again, professor! I mainly listen during the Lucid Q&A but I would be interested in your thoughts on the GOPs use of the term Democrat instead of the grammatically correct Democrats, I first recall Bush Jr using it and thought it was fishy then. I have also often wondered why many of us feel so much better hearing the hard truths from you (and others) despite it being so deeply troubling Good luck with everything you are working on, it is very much appreciated =]
Perhaps it’s true for you James .... I’m able to listen to the hard truths that Ruth communicates, because of her unspoken equanimity, and her relaxed confidence in simply conveying a deep and complicated history of authoritarian tragedy, that always includes reminders that we are ... now ... all empowered to successfully resist the rise of authoritarians, just as those before us did
I recently stumbled on a really helpful psychological concept in a Bill Browder interview that helps describe some particularly difficult leadership styles and really jibes well with everything here. The more I digest it, the more it seems to me to be at the very heart of fascist psychology.
The hubris-nemesis complex was developed as a leadership model in the late 90s to help make sense of problematic leaders like Castro and Milošević. But it definitely describes Putin and Trump very well also. It states that leaders that act with BOTH great hubris and as nemesis, an opposing force to counter others perceived hubris, this complex becomes very problematic, escalatory, dangerous and difficult to counter.
It seems to me like Trump attempts to push this same complex on his followers - pushing grievances that would make opponents seem hubristic so to justify Trump taking on the role of nemesis on their behalf. However, from where I am sitting, him pushing such grievances in post-truth fashion and disconnected from reality is itself an extreme act of hubris, creating a cult that would befit a God, outside the bounds of acceptable behavior for humans.
Something to ponder...... Pinochet of Chile, Erdogan, Trump, David Koresh, Mussolini, Stalin, Milosevic, Charles Koch, Allen Dulles, Josef Mengele, Ayn Rand and Ted Bundy. All were/are either primary or secondary psychopaths. Hitler was a probable psychopath.
These are extremely dangerous people, especially if they attain power. They have no conscience.
We in the pro-democracy position, cannot forget that we can use humor also - for the purposes of good for our persuasion. When we use it, it's meaningful, but gentler. As democrats usually are anyway.
There has been a ton of recent research linking the so-called dark triad of antisocial personality types - psychopathy, narcissism and Machiveilianism - to autocratic personality types on both right and left wing.
Apparently the autocratic axis of personality is more fundamental than the right-left political axis and fundamentally related to antisocial behavior at least at the cusp of mental illness. The psychology of autocracy is really all about justifying domination and unfair/antisocial/abusive behavior to get your way, and the dark triad are all quite similar in that they get that same job done.
Indeed! And a step beyond this is the Dark Tetrad, where we add sadism to the mix. This is quite common among tyrants in their quest for dominance and submission.
These indictments cannot come fast enough! On MSNBC last night, *BREAKING NEWS* came out of GA where there, the GA Legislature (1st the House, then the Senate yesterday) voted on & passed a bill allowing the Legislature to vote out any DA that "they don't like" that is seeking to investigate & indict someone! Not only did this bill pass but Brian Kemp supportive of it & is expected to sign it in a few weeks. Apparently some things with it still need ironing out & could go into affect later this year. Of course, my first thought is, "this is how they go after Fani Willis & prevent her from indicting Trump!". Well, Fani Willis still has a bit of time before this bill affects her, but...NOT MUCH time at all.
If more states follow suit, this further nails the coffin shut on democracy. I could easily see this taking place in FL, TX and other southern states. It's no accident that it's starting with GA.
Excellent point! The Arizona State Legislature has many fascist members like Wendy Rogers and Warren Petersen. They are clearly anti-democracy and strive to block all attempts at retaining democracy.
I heard this, as well, Mari Lynn. The idea that the legislature can overcome the judiciary! That is what Netanyahu is trying to do in Israel. Once again, the evil cleverness of the forces of evil amaze me! How do we prevent that? Please, Fanny, indict Trump. Please DOJ, indict Trump.
This is an absolutely excellent essay, Ruth, but the justice for this country is not coming fast enough. And as one commentor just said the "parallels between Mussolini and Trump are deeply disturbing."
I would like to ask a question for someone who would like to remain anonymous at this point. In the state of Ohio this individual is being encouraged to become politically involved at the local level where it is most needed. School Board member, Board of Trustees member, etc.. This individual has already received some information regarding local level Pennsylvania, i.e. School Board (greater time commitment, no compensation), Board of Trustees (less time commitment, some compensation, some travel). Any information would be most helpful! Thanks and I'll share!
My guess is the roles that offer the least compensation, are the ones most hurting and in need of authentic leadership. Hope that helps, just a thought ..... Thanks Diane for always looking out for democracy!!!
Can't come fast enough. I keep thinking they must be un-snarling greater webs than the naked eye (ours) can see. The longer an investigation goes on, the greater the exposure that is revealed, in general ....
Exceptional service to the denizens of this country Ruth! The neofascist radicalization being unleashed by Putin and a plethora of bots, should be front page news around this country! Your summary of what appears to be a fading CPAC event, should be shared amongst the public as historical evidence of what a second opportunity holds with fascist.
I am 100% convinced that Trump will become the Republican nominee in 24, despite two impeachments, a traitorous attempt to overthrow the government in a failed auto coup and despite likely indictments.
People have argued with me about this but the reason I give is this; No one else will be able to massage the erogenous zone of the MAGA base better than the charismatic demagogue Trump, who is a genius at propaganda. Nothing compares to his "Fascist cocktail of negative emotions". Except Mussolini. (thanks for that one Ruth) Over the last five years Trump has created a fascist leader cult that is bonded to him like welded steel.
An authoritarian leader cult is unprecedented in American history and is no doubt a grave threat to its 240 year old experiment in democracy! So in my view, DeSantis will not be able to beat Trump at gaining a simple majority of rabid MAGA primary voters in separate primaries. Its the power of the cult.
Can Biden beat a fascist demagogue again, one who is bent on vengeance? I believe he can because large majorities realize the peril and will come out in droves like they did in 20 and 22 to save it from this existential evil.
Stolen election and his dangerous rhetoric about Biden.
Thank you!
Thank you, I talked about it a bit on MSNBC last night
Excellent piece Ruth! Interesting that Trump trotted out his usual arguments, but this time with a record; where in 2016 he had none. Further, his references to Biden are arguably projection. Thank you for making us think!
Thank you Tom!
Of all of the nasty rhetoric that has been spewed by the Orange Menace to Society, I think this speech was by far the most terrifying. He has absolutely laid out what his return to power will mean. It will be ugly, violent, vengeful. No one will be safe. He will start by having his mob and his minions take out the most vulnerable - LGBTQ+ people. And then move on to anyone who has wronged him - all Democrats, most of the press, more than a few Republicans not deemed to be sufficiently loyal. He cannot be allowed back into power.
As Keith Olberman says as he closes his daily podcast "Arrest Trump now while we still can!"
Secondary psychopaths like Trump get great joy from hurting others because they have no remorse, no conscience and are sadistic. They see vengeance as a virtue. Trump needs to be institutionalized.
Absolutely frightening , thank you Ruth for your historical clarity !
Merci Michel!
These parallels between Mussolini and Trump are deeply disturbing. It seems that Trump has exceeded Mussolini in his bombastic claims of victim/savior. It’s absolutely stunning that his followers and supporters have granted him a pass on a huge array of crimes and wrong doing. What’s unbelievable, to me, is the apparent worship of a person, that in almost all other circumstances would have been incarcerated because of their extreme danger to society/humanity. As Professor Eddie Glaude stated in a recent MSNBC Interview, commenting on the apparent acceptance of Trump’s conduct, “when lipstick is placed on a pig, the pig is still a pig.”
Agree!
Dear Ruth
I am deeply honored by your reply! Thank you!
Ruth, you do not have to answer me directly, but perhaps sometime you might write about more on how peace loving people may most effectively resist and attempt to change, or enlighten others, the forces of hate and division in the world. What is the most effective way to stop fascism, in other words?
Tall request, I know. Very interested in any and all thoughts you have written about or are considering about how the forces for the common good (weal) may join together to overcome the forces of evil. Is it possible? Thank you for being you, Ruth!
Great piece, again, professor! I mainly listen during the Lucid Q&A but I would be interested in your thoughts on the GOPs use of the term Democrat instead of the grammatically correct Democrats, I first recall Bush Jr using it and thought it was fishy then. I have also often wondered why many of us feel so much better hearing the hard truths from you (and others) despite it being so deeply troubling Good luck with everything you are working on, it is very much appreciated =]
Perhaps it’s true for you James .... I’m able to listen to the hard truths that Ruth communicates, because of her unspoken equanimity, and her relaxed confidence in simply conveying a deep and complicated history of authoritarian tragedy, that always includes reminders that we are ... now ... all empowered to successfully resist the rise of authoritarians, just as those before us did
Semantics and language are clues. Meaningful question.
Thank you. No idea about the Democrat/s term.
Fantastic piece Ruth!
I recently stumbled on a really helpful psychological concept in a Bill Browder interview that helps describe some particularly difficult leadership styles and really jibes well with everything here. The more I digest it, the more it seems to me to be at the very heart of fascist psychology.
The hubris-nemesis complex was developed as a leadership model in the late 90s to help make sense of problematic leaders like Castro and Milošević. But it definitely describes Putin and Trump very well also. It states that leaders that act with BOTH great hubris and as nemesis, an opposing force to counter others perceived hubris, this complex becomes very problematic, escalatory, dangerous and difficult to counter.
It seems to me like Trump attempts to push this same complex on his followers - pushing grievances that would make opponents seem hubristic so to justify Trump taking on the role of nemesis on their behalf. However, from where I am sitting, him pushing such grievances in post-truth fashion and disconnected from reality is itself an extreme act of hubris, creating a cult that would befit a God, outside the bounds of acceptable behavior for humans.
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR461.pdf
Something to ponder...... Pinochet of Chile, Erdogan, Trump, David Koresh, Mussolini, Stalin, Milosevic, Charles Koch, Allen Dulles, Josef Mengele, Ayn Rand and Ted Bundy. All were/are either primary or secondary psychopaths. Hitler was a probable psychopath.
These are extremely dangerous people, especially if they attain power. They have no conscience.
Quite a good point about the impact of humor and how it helps manipulate.
Humor is a very sophisticated defense, one of the highest. Very disarming. Great link up, jogged the memory. Thanks.
Agree, and about the use of humor - in this context - is especially evil.
We in the pro-democracy position, cannot forget that we can use humor also - for the purposes of good for our persuasion. When we use it, it's meaningful, but gentler. As democrats usually are anyway.
Excellent points.
There has been a ton of recent research linking the so-called dark triad of antisocial personality types - psychopathy, narcissism and Machiveilianism - to autocratic personality types on both right and left wing.
Apparently the autocratic axis of personality is more fundamental than the right-left political axis and fundamentally related to antisocial behavior at least at the cusp of mental illness. The psychology of autocracy is really all about justifying domination and unfair/antisocial/abusive behavior to get your way, and the dark triad are all quite similar in that they get that same job done.
Indeed! And a step beyond this is the Dark Tetrad, where we add sadism to the mix. This is quite common among tyrants in their quest for dominance and submission.
Sounds correct to me
Thanks for keeping history alive for those who are not remembering the evil before Trump.
These indictments cannot come fast enough! On MSNBC last night, *BREAKING NEWS* came out of GA where there, the GA Legislature (1st the House, then the Senate yesterday) voted on & passed a bill allowing the Legislature to vote out any DA that "they don't like" that is seeking to investigate & indict someone! Not only did this bill pass but Brian Kemp supportive of it & is expected to sign it in a few weeks. Apparently some things with it still need ironing out & could go into affect later this year. Of course, my first thought is, "this is how they go after Fani Willis & prevent her from indicting Trump!". Well, Fani Willis still has a bit of time before this bill affects her, but...NOT MUCH time at all.
If more states follow suit, this further nails the coffin shut on democracy. I could easily see this taking place in FL, TX and other southern states. It's no accident that it's starting with GA.
Excellent point! The Arizona State Legislature has many fascist members like Wendy Rogers and Warren Petersen. They are clearly anti-democracy and strive to block all attempts at retaining democracy.
I heard this, as well, Mari Lynn. The idea that the legislature can overcome the judiciary! That is what Netanyahu is trying to do in Israel. Once again, the evil cleverness of the forces of evil amaze me! How do we prevent that? Please, Fanny, indict Trump. Please DOJ, indict Trump.
It's like a battle between the three branches of government. An attempt to topple the tripod of democracy.
It might be time to draw a line in the dirt with these people. I've had all that I can take!
This is an absolutely excellent essay, Ruth, but the justice for this country is not coming fast enough. And as one commentor just said the "parallels between Mussolini and Trump are deeply disturbing."
We must keep fighting and fighting in new ways!
I would like to ask a question for someone who would like to remain anonymous at this point. In the state of Ohio this individual is being encouraged to become politically involved at the local level where it is most needed. School Board member, Board of Trustees member, etc.. This individual has already received some information regarding local level Pennsylvania, i.e. School Board (greater time commitment, no compensation), Board of Trustees (less time commitment, some compensation, some travel). Any information would be most helpful! Thanks and I'll share!
My guess is the roles that offer the least compensation, are the ones most hurting and in need of authentic leadership. Hope that helps, just a thought ..... Thanks Diane for always looking out for democracy!!!
Can't come fast enough. I keep thinking they must be un-snarling greater webs than the naked eye (ours) can see. The longer an investigation goes on, the greater the exposure that is revealed, in general ....
Thank you so much for your excellent and lucid piece on this fascist moment.
The fascists will not stand!
Exceptional service to the denizens of this country Ruth! The neofascist radicalization being unleashed by Putin and a plethora of bots, should be front page news around this country! Your summary of what appears to be a fading CPAC event, should be shared amongst the public as historical evidence of what a second opportunity holds with fascist.
Thanks for all you do Ruth!!
Thanks Patrick!
I am 100% convinced that Trump will become the Republican nominee in 24, despite two impeachments, a traitorous attempt to overthrow the government in a failed auto coup and despite likely indictments.
People have argued with me about this but the reason I give is this; No one else will be able to massage the erogenous zone of the MAGA base better than the charismatic demagogue Trump, who is a genius at propaganda. Nothing compares to his "Fascist cocktail of negative emotions". Except Mussolini. (thanks for that one Ruth) Over the last five years Trump has created a fascist leader cult that is bonded to him like welded steel.
An authoritarian leader cult is unprecedented in American history and is no doubt a grave threat to its 240 year old experiment in democracy! So in my view, DeSantis will not be able to beat Trump at gaining a simple majority of rabid MAGA primary voters in separate primaries. Its the power of the cult.
Can Biden beat a fascist demagogue again, one who is bent on vengeance? I believe he can because large majorities realize the peril and will come out in droves like they did in 20 and 22 to save it from this existential evil.
An exceptionally clear and and frightening piece. I wish it could appear in all of the “mainstream” media. Thank you!!