Anne Applebaum: Trump Is Building an Autocracy | On Putin, Kushner, and America’s Future
Summary
In this episode, the host discusses the author’s book *Autocracy, Inc.* and argues that US foreign policy now serves private interests rather than national security. The conversation details how business envoys have replaced diplomats, with examples from Brazil, the Gulf states, and Ukraine negotiations. The author also explains how the administration’s global far-right ideology and transactional approach mirror modern autocracies. Finally, they address the erosion of democratic norms through surveillance technology, the weaponization of the DOJ, and the potential impact of the 2026 midterm…
Topics discussed
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Introduction: Business deals replacing diplomacy
Historical parallels: United Fruit and State Dept funding
Crypto industry links and business envoys in foreign policy
Brazil diplomacy: Bolsonaro, Lula, and Kushner's role
Gulf states and investment in Kushner's company
Russia negotiations: Witkoff, Kushner, and mineral deals
Unprecedented conflict of interest in peace negotiations
Breakdown of the National Security Council process
Lack of strategic thinking and State Department ideologues
Access via business communities and foreign state strategies
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Revolutionary mindset vs. traditional Republicanism
Corporate interests: Tech, crypto, and mining companies
Radical transformation of the administrative state
Defining enemies: Center-right, Christian Democrats, and the Left
Complex stance on China and potential deals
Iran and Venezuela: Deal-making with authoritarian regimes
Non-ideological enemies and corporate benefit
Comparison of Trump and Putin: Dominance and conquest
Transnational repression and European security concerns
US becoming an autocracy: Roots in Citizens United
Money in US politics: Unprecedented global scale
Inaugural donations as bribes and token sales
Motivations of donors and foreign envoys
New scale of blatant corruption and access
Buying pardons and impunity: The new market
Blocking investigations and open avenues for corruption
Market in influence buying: Unprecedented scale
Qualitative shift in American corruption vs. abroad
Comparison to Zimbabwe: Facilitation fees for access
Surveillance technology and its integration into US fabric
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Origins of mass surveillance in Xinjiang
Tracking via electricity, travel, and social media data
ICE use of camera and surveillance technology in US
Potential for abuse of surveillance by current administration
Lack of regulation on AI and surveillance privacy
Tech company power: Money and information control
Algorithmic bias favoring extremist rhetoric
Radicalization of political discourse via social media
Tech power to suppress or boost political campaigns
Comparison to 19th-century moguls: Surveillance difference
Impact of social media vs. newspapers on public atmosphere
Blacklisting risks and the feature of assassinations
Transnational repression: Belarus, Russia, and China
US potential for hunting dissidents abroad
Use of DOJ and FBI powers against political enemies
Legal harassment as a tool to neutralize opposition
Forward-looking: Impact of 2026 midterms on power structures
Congressional oversight and constitutional checks
Questioning revolutionary fervor and emboldening critics
Global perception of US instability and opportunity
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Misunderstanding the depth of democratic erosion
Loss of privacy and speech in specific communities
Manipulation of midterms: Redistricting and voter suppression
Open manipulation of elections and public awareness
Modern autocracy: Institutional undermining without coups
Slow decline and the danger of irreversible change
Closing remarks
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