3 chapters across the catalog
Ruth Ben-Ghiat and the Authoritarian Playbook Narrative
PBS featured NYU historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat to analyze Donald Trump's rhetoric through the lens of authoritarianism. Ben-Ghiat claimed that Trump's "drain the swamp" slogan was originally used by Mussolini; however, fact-checkers have noted that Mussolini used the phrase literally regarding physical swamps, whereas the political metaphor is considered uniquely American.
A comparison is drawn between Bastille Day and Donald Trump's "drain the swamp" rhetoric. The discussion focuses on Trump's public telegraphing of upcoming ICE raids scheduled for Sunday, questioning whether the lack of surprise indicates a strategic feint or a scam.
Southern Poverty Law Center and Donald Trump YouTube Address
The media's focus on racism following the election of Donald Trump is analyzed, specifically targeting the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). SPLC editor Ryan Lentz is criticized for linking Trump's "drain the swamp" YouTube announcement to white supremacy. The claim is made that the media is attempting to frame common political slogans as coded racist language.
