This whole pathetic tirade of a speech was so unhinged: A purely grievance-driven rant against gender and racial equality, delivered by a completely unqualified man who is convinced it is his prerogative to rule and dominate in all spheres of life. The embodiment of Trumpism as a political project.

The Right’s core claim is that they represent an authentic, “real” America that is constantly being victimized - made to suffer under the yoke of leftist/liberal overreach, and therefore rightfully aggrieved. And so many leading Democrats/liberals look at that and go: “I agree.”

This is a regime at war: With large segments of the population, with pluralistic democracy and American society as it actually exists. They are not looking to reform or compromise, they desire to destroy, conquer, and dominate.

I wrote about why binary categories of Trump “winning vs losing” or being “weak vs strong” are not very helpful right now. They tend to reproduce mood swings more than they help generate plausible analysis.   An attempt to take stock of where we are:

Is Trump Winning? Is He Losing? (And are those maybe the wrong questions to ask?) Kimmel uncanceled, Comey indicted, a terrifying “domestic terrorism” directive, and troops to Portland: Where does America stand in the struggle against encroaching authoritarianism? Some thoughts from my new piece:

As always, I am providing audio versions of all the pieces I publish on Democracy Americana to make them more accessible (read by me, not some ghastly AI).   And for paid members, there is a new feature: You can download the voiceovers in podcast form wherever you get your pods:

Is Trump Winning? Is He Losing? (And are those maybe the wrong questions to ask?) Kimmel uncanceled, Comey indicted, a terrifying “domestic terrorism” directive, and troops to Portland: Where does America stand in the struggle against encroaching authoritarianism? Some thoughts from my new piece:

I wrote about why binary categories of Trump “winning vs losing” or being “weak vs strong” are not very helpful right now. They tend to reproduce mood swings more than they help generate plausible analysis.   An attempt to take stock of where we are:

Is Trump Winning? Is He Losing?   Kimmel uncanceled, Comey indicted, a terrifying “domestic terrorism” directive, and troops to Portland: Where does America stand in the struggle against encroaching authoritarianism?   New piece:

In an attempt to take stock of where we are, I wrote about how binary categories of “winning/losing” or “weak/strong” are just not very helpful right now. They tend to reproduce mood swings more than they help generate plausible analysis.

Is Trump Winning? Is He Losing?   Kimmel uncanceled, Comey indicted, a terrifying “domestic terrorism” directive, and troops to Portland: Where does America stand in the struggle against encroaching authoritarianism?   New piece:

Ezra Klein has played a fascinating role in entrenching “polarization” as the – deeply flawed – master narrative of our time: His 2020 book “Why We’re Polarized” did a lot to propagate the idea. But if you read the book carefully, Klein inadvertently provides a good case *against* this diagnosis.

This week’s piece was a very personal one:   I wrote about why I left academia, why I left America, why I left Substack – and why I am asking for support as I am starting over as a full-time independent writer.   If you’ll indulge me:

Thomas has been an essential read the last several years. He presciently described the radicalization of the right (not just Trump, but the broader right) in clear terms and explained exactly why they would run an administration like this. I will subscribe to this and you should too!

This is precisely the claim that evidently animates the rigthwing majority on the Court: That any "burden" placed upon the regime by insisting the constitution is still in effect, the separation of powers is still a thing, and the law is still the law, causes the government irreparable harm.

The Trumpist regime is causing so much damage, so much destruction. We must remember that this goes far beyond politics in a narrow sense, that the radical goons currently in charge of the U.S. government are threatening the health and the lives of so many millions. Please read this.

I had an extended conversation with the FAZ podcast (in German) - about Christian nationalism as the defining political identity on the American Right, about ideology and religion in Trumpism, and about why MAGA is at war with the very idea of pluralistic democracy. Really enjoyed this one:

A disaster that Starmer insists on ignoring the mountain of empirical evidence from across "Western" democracies that adopting rightwing positions and frameworks only ever helps the Right win legitimacy and votes. An utter disaster that so many Democrats in the U.S. insist on doing Starmerism.

One of the most useful conversations I had as I was researching my book was with Thomas. His viewpoint is invaluable and I recommend following along.

“My biggest issue is the fact that Substack insists on actively supporting leading far-right activists and propagandists like Christopher Rufo, Curtis Yarvin, and Richard Hanania – not only platforming, but actively promoting them as important thinkers.”

Really psyched to see that @thomaszimmer.bsky.social has launched this full-time newsletter! He's essential reading for understanding our slide into authoritarianism. I just subscribed!

Historian Thomas Zimmer has been one of the most clear-eyed observers and analysts of US political culture and the global far right over the past 5+ years. He's left Substack and started over at a new site that is NOT a Nazi bar. I encourage you to check out what he's doing there.

I have been writing Democracy Americana for almost three years. It was always entirely free. But now I am asking for your support, as things have changed.   I wrote about why I left academia and chose to become a full-time independent writer:

My friend @thomaszimmer.bsky.social is deservedly revered for his magisterial, in-depth analyses of the crisis of American democracy. Please subscribe to his relaunched newsletter Democracy Americana over on Steady and support his important work!

ICYMI yesterday: I need your help   I re-launched my newsletter at a new platform called “Steady” – and most importantly, I officially started my new life as a full-time independent writer.   I am extremely excited this moment has finally come. And I am utterly terrified.

I wonder if this regime is literate enough to know how effectively Zimmer illuminated the threats of Project 2025 and helped it bubble up to the point Trump knew it could cost him the election.

Historian Thomas Zimmer has left academia, Substack, and the US; now he’s launching his new career as an indie writer with a newsletter about “the ongoing struggle over how much democracy, and for whom, there should be in America”. Recommended! [steady.page]

Wenn Ihr Euch für all things American interessiert, dann MÜSST Ihr diesen Newsletter abonnieren!!! @thomaszimmer.bsky.social hat es einfach drauf.

I believe the mission of Democracy Ameriana is more relevant than ever. The idea behind this newsletter is to offer historically informed deep dives into our current political and societal conflict. I really want to keep going. I hope you will join me and make that possible.

Thomas has been one of the most thoughtful writers about the challenges to our basic democratic ideals in recent years. Take the time to check out and support his new work

I wrote about why we left America   I am starting my new life as a full-time writer focused on U.S. history and politics right after we left the United States. Life and work in America felt increasingly untenable for us. We were in the privileged position to have the choice to leave.

Some major personal news:   Things have really changed. Now I need your help.   On why I left academia, why I left America, and why I need your support as I am starting over as a full-time independent writer:   Onward. Forward. Steady:

Thomas saw what was happening here in 🇺🇸 earlier & more clearly than almost anyone. It is sad that 🇺🇸 & academia have lost him but great that his voice has found its new home 👇🧵

Re-launch day for Democracy Americana – and the official start of my new life as a full-time writer.   I know there is more important stuff going on than the latest personal news. But I want to be maximally transparent about why I left academia, left the U.S., left Substack - and need your support:

Dear @thomaszimmer.bsky.social we wish you a warm welcome to Steady. Your work is extremely important and we are more than happy to be on this journey together with you. Onwards and upwards!

Thomas is a terrific independent historian — please take a look!

Things have really changed. Now I need your help.   I wrote about why I left academia, why I left America, why I left Substack - and why I need your support as I am starting over as a full-time independent writer:   Some major personal news: steady.page/en/democracy...

Some major personal news:   Things have really changed. Now I need your help.   On why I left academia, why I left America, and why I need your support as I am starting over as a full-time independent writer:   Onward. Forward. Steady:

This is a key point: We need to recognize how dangerous, how precarious this moment is - but without perpetuating the Trumpists' assertions of strength and dominance. The gap between their authoritarian aspirations and the reality of American society remains vast. That's where the counter happens.

I had a great conversation with Swiss Radio yesterday: About the assault on free speech, comparisons to the second Red Scare, and where America stands as the Trumpists are determined to use the murder of Charlie Kirk as pretext for a further escalation of state repression (in German):

If you are interested in more such deep dives, and in English: I write a regular newsletter - the latest piece below. (This was the last piece published via Substack - I’m taking the newsletter to a new platform; re-launch on Tuesday. No worries, if you subscribe, you’ll be automatically migrated.)

As America nears a tipping point, Russell Vought desires a radical rightwing “counter-revolution.”   For @zeit.de, I wrote a profile of one of Trumpism’s key figures – and one of Trump’s most dangerous henchmen.   Some thoughts from the piece (since it is in German):

As America nears a tipping point, Russell Vought desires a radical rightwing “counter-revolution.”   For @zeit.de, I wrote a profile of one of Trumpism’s key figures – and one of Trump’s most dangerous henchmen.   Some thoughts from the piece (since it is in German):

I wrote a profile of Russell Vought for @zeit.de: A deep dive into the radicalization of the conservative movement he embodies and the ideological justifications for Trumpist extremism he propagates. As America nears a tipping point, Vought desires a radical “counter-revolution” (in German):

The (self-) Gleichschaltung of American society is accelerating. This is how 21st-century authoritarianism operates, spreads, consolidates power.

The key problem with what Ezra Klein says here is that he fails – or is unwilling – to grapple with the fundamental reality of the political conflict: The movement that dominates today’s Right fully rejects the very idea of “living here with each other” as equals. That’s their defining position.

The combination of aggressive buffoonery and/or utterly shameless authoritarian malice these people are constantly displaying... It's nauseating.

Much libertarianism. Much freedom. "We must mobilize the coercive powers of the state against our enemies because we are the sole representatives of real America and our opponents are fundamentally illegitimate" is dogma on today's Right. Utterly incompatible with pluralistic democracy.

I think the best place to be right now is deeply worried but stopping short of going full Doomer to remember that Donald Trump has like a 34% approval rating and if you’ve already granted him God-King powers in your mind you’re falling for what he wants everyone falling for.

Crucial to distinguish between   a) the Right claiming the Kirk murder is akin to the 1933 Reichstag fire (and demanding drastic state repression in response) and   b) an actual comparison between the situation in the United States today and Germany in early 1933.   A few thoughts on both: