In this moment of escalating authoritarianism, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. While we should be clear-eyed about the threats we face, we should also never underestimate the people’s capacity to push back. That’s the feeling I was left with after this genuinely engaging and substantive Substack Live conversation with Joy Reid on Thursday afternoon. This talk left me more informed about our crucial moment in history, but even more fired up and ready to keep spreading the truth.
While Joy was at MSNBC, she was among the very first mainstream media figures to spotlight Project 2025, and her early warnings about Trump’s authoritarian ambitions have been proven right time and time again. Now, in her Substack project
, she continues to be one of the boldest voices in media. I was honored to host her for my newsletter’s first Substack Live!In our talk, we traced how our warnings about Trump’s authoritarian ambitions are becoming reality. We broke down the targeting of pro-Palestinian students, the deportation of peaceful immigrants like Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a Salvadoran gulag, the Trump Administration’s defiance of a 9-0 Supreme Court ruling, and their open talk of deporting U.S. citizens.
We debunked in-depth the lies about Kilmar Abrego Garcia and how the Trump Administration is beta testing actions they plan to expand to broader groups of people. We also discussed Trump’s economic chaos and missteps—from tariffs dictated by ego to his incompetent government cuts. And, most poignantly, we discussed Trump’s unmistakable historical parallels with authoritarians of the past.
This is a must-watch conversation. Because, as Joy said, whatever you’re doing right now is what you would’ve done in the 1930s. The time to speak out is now, and we all have the technology to spread the truth faster than these authoritarians spread their lies. We all have to do our part.
And make sure to subscribe to Joy’s House!
Thank you for watching! In the face of unrelenting disinformation and authoritarian actions, clear truth-telling and independent media are a necessity. If you value in-depth analysis through a pro-democracy lens, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my newsletter. Paid subscribers empower this work and gain access to exclusive benefits. Your support makes a difference.
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