Masha Gessen

Well, at this point, there's every indication, and by every indication, I mean all the things that he constantly says, that he actually thinks that that's how government should work. It should be one person making decisions.

Well, at this point, there's every indication, and by every indication, I mean all the things that he constantly says, that he actually thinks that that's how government should work. It should be one person making decisions.

Exactly.

Exactly.

Yeah. Or... Calling out the governor of Maine for, I guess in his opinion, not following his executive order on disallowing transgender athletes in sports. With the governor responding that the state of Maine has its own laws. And him basically saying, I can't remember the exact quote, but basically saying, I'm in charge here and we'll see who wins.

Yeah. Or... Calling out the governor of Maine for, I guess in his opinion, not following his executive order on disallowing transgender athletes in sports. With the governor responding that the state of Maine has its own laws. And him basically saying, I can't remember the exact quote, but basically saying, I'm in charge here and we'll see who wins.

A better future that's basically the past is a common trait to all modern autocrats. I mean, in the 20th century, we also had some futuristic autocrats. The Soviet totalitarianism was probably the most vivid example. But all the autocrats have come to power in the world like in the last 15 or so years on this wave of of resurgent autocracies, they're all past-oriented.

A better future that's basically the past is a common trait to all modern autocrats. I mean, in the 20th century, we also had some futuristic autocrats. The Soviet totalitarianism was probably the most vivid example. But all the autocrats have come to power in the world like in the last 15 or so years on this wave of of resurgent autocracies, they're all past-oriented.

They're saying, like, we had a glorious past and we've got to go back to it. Yeah, it's make whatever country great again. And it's always an imaginary past. When you felt comfortable, when you didn't have these anxieties, when your children were just like you, when men were men and women were women, and everyone spoke the same language as you do.

They're saying, like, we had a glorious past and we've got to go back to it. Yeah, it's make whatever country great again. And it's always an imaginary past. When you felt comfortable, when you didn't have these anxieties, when your children were just like you, when men were men and women were women, and everyone spoke the same language as you do.

I think a few things are happening there, and I think they're pretty scary. I think the first time he mentioned Greenland, which was during his first term, it was probably at a moment's inspiration. He probably meant nothing by it.

I think a few things are happening there, and I think they're pretty scary. I think the first time he mentioned Greenland, which was during his first term, it was probably at a moment's inspiration. He probably meant nothing by it.

Exactly, which is very much… What he does all the time. Yeah. One thing about Trump, though, is that he's very sensitive to being heard. Greenland was heard. And because Greenland was heard, it became a kind of a day fix. And so now in his second term, he's bringing up Greenland again. I think it's a whole other story. It's no longer an absurd trolling kind of meme thing.

Exactly, which is very much… What he does all the time. Yeah. One thing about Trump, though, is that he's very sensitive to being heard. Greenland was heard. And because Greenland was heard, it became a kind of a day fix. And so now in his second term, he's bringing up Greenland again. I think it's a whole other story. It's no longer an absurd trolling kind of meme thing.

It's beginning to approach policy. And I think that the way that he is also throwing around the Panama Canal and the Gulf of America, of course he's doing this because... totalitarian leaders have to promise expansion that's like why um it's it's like it's an axiom uh what are you saying no what do you like they have a rule book that they have to follow absolutely um I'm actually half serious.

It's beginning to approach policy. And I think that the way that he is also throwing around the Panama Canal and the Gulf of America, of course he's doing this because... totalitarian leaders have to promise expansion that's like why um it's it's like it's an axiom uh what are you saying no what do you like they have a rule book that they have to follow absolutely um I'm actually half serious.

Exactly.

Exactly.

Yeah, we're going to take over other lands. And what it is, I think, is it's a promise of greatness. It's a trade-off. Generally speaking, autocratic regimes don't, in the long run, prove economically beneficial.

Yeah, we're going to take over other lands. And what it is, I think, is it's a promise of greatness. It's a trade-off. Generally speaking, autocratic regimes don't, in the long run, prove economically beneficial.