We Don't Believe You: A Conversation with Anne Applebaum
Summary
Host Leigh McGowan interviews historian Anne Applebaum on the rise of global autocracies and their influence on the Trump administration. They discuss how modern dictators cooperate through shared interests in corruption and undermining liberal democracy, rather than ideology. Applebaum warns that the U.S. is no longer opposing this trend, with Trump’s administration potentially selling foreign policy for personal gain. The conversation highlights the importance of high voter turnout to protect democratic institutions, citing Hungary’s recent election as a key example.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Anne Applebaum's background
The network of modern autocrats and their shared interests
Trump's conflicts of interest and selling foreign policy
Sponsor reads: Illumina mask and Noble suitcase
The coalition of groups benefiting from the breakdown of norms
The justice system, election integrity, and voter turnout
Lessons from Viktor Orban's rise and fall in Hungary
Iran, Russia, and the erosion of US military power
Conclusion and call to action for voters
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