Ruth Ben-Ghiat and I talk about how moral collapse explains Trump's ability to control American elites — and why it's also an opportunity to oppose him
The resignation last week by top Commerce Dept. official Evan Feinman and his whistleblower letter provide an immediate, specific opportunity for grassroots groups all over the country to take direct action and not wait for courts or legislators. He was the department's top official overseeing rural broadband internet access. He says Musk and DOGE are trying to redirect federal funds for developing rural broadband access and force those programs to use Musk's Starlink satellite system instead (not only a flagrant conflict of interest and a cash grab, but far slower service than broadband). These funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD), within Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are distributed by states, and the state utility commissions (like the CPUC here in California) process the applications from local governments and entities for the funds. That means people have local and state officials and decision-makers they can hold accountable on this issue by demanding that they refuse to accept or distribute any federal funds tied to using Starlink. Targeting Musk himself is difficult and problematic for people who are far from DC or even a Tesla dealership. But this is of direct interest to many Americans in rural areas, it would certainly anger them ("Did you know billionaire Musk wants to force you to have slower internet to enrich himself, instead of the faster broadband internet you paid for?"), and it's more winnable because local/county/state officials and bureaucrats can be more easily made to feel pressure from their own jurisdictions.
I’m happy to see your comment. My friend Jess Piper in Missouri has a wonderful Substack where she is dedicated to trying to help rule Missouri, but real America in general. She was just interviewed on the contrarian if you get that look at it it’s great and she had a speaking engagement with Nebraska Democrats and Iowa Democrats this past week and they are all speaking about this problem. They don’t want Starlink. They want their broadband and I’m happy you’re bringing attention to that.
Anand, your interviews are superb!!! I really wish I had a transcript of this one because your words were sublime at the end about how we can prevail. I would love to make some signs, quoting you, for protests I attend🙏🏽🙌🏾👏🏽
I’d like to see a movement inside the Democratic coalition that is rooted in patriotism and rhetoric that is welcome to all Americans but with fresh branding. Something like the New Blue movement (or something), and just anoint the leaders that WE want, not who we are assigned. We don’t need to malign those older establishment Dems but we can maneuver around them using the real power base in the country—the People. The party is too paternalistic. We need fresh energy, a bold reformist vision and positive, unrelenting populism that asserts itself so powerfully that it just takes over. Think Tea Party but flipped — not just white and reactionary, but diverse, cross-generational and aggressively engaged at the grassroots level using humor, community and a renewal of abundance politics. I believe we are seeing the green shoots of that now and we should harness it. Call out the cowardice by actually being the Home of the Brave, not just saying it. We can co-op the nation’s 250th birthday NOW by starting a peacefully but passionately pursued revolutionary movement with civil disobedience and good trouble. We should not leave 1776 to the traitorous Right. No! We reclaim it right now. Waiting for leadership is futile. We are the damn leaders!
Dear Anand: You may also want to include a DONATE button here for those of us who are already subscribers and for those who aren't. Thank you, and your staff, and your hardworking guests for pushing oxygen through into what has become a culture-at-large miasma. You're blessings, all!
Can you comment on Curtis Yarvin's influence on what's happening? He seems to be driving the intentional destruction with the aim to create a monarchy. TIA!
Thank you fit this thoughtful, timely discussion. I agree income and wealth inequalities that Republicans never want to talk about have moved to center stage in recent weeks - as the richest man in the world and his team of tech toddlers ransack government offices and treat ordinary workers like trash.
One opposition leader understands this issue in his bones, and that is Bernie Sanders. He’s drawing huge, diverse crowds for a reason: he cares about the working and middle classes and their daily struggles in a system that most agree is rigged for the wealthiest. Not everyone agrees with his solutions, but he convincingly describes how the system that Trump is making far worse fails most Americans.
Entrenched Democratic leaders would be wise to pay attention.
Thank you, Anand and Ruth! You make such a positive difference in the pro-democracy efforts, contributing your intellect and most importantly, heart and soul! Continue shining the light on humanity!
The resignation last week by top Commerce Dept. official Evan Feinman and his whistleblower letter provide an immediate, specific opportunity for grassroots groups all over the country to take direct action and not wait for courts or legislators. He was the department's top official overseeing rural broadband internet access. He says Musk and DOGE are trying to redirect federal funds for developing rural broadband access and force those programs to use Musk's Starlink satellite system instead (not only a flagrant conflict of interest and a cash grab, but far slower service than broadband). These funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD), within Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are distributed by states, and the state utility commissions (like the CPUC here in California) process the applications from local governments and entities for the funds. That means people have local and state officials and decision-makers they can hold accountable on this issue by demanding that they refuse to accept or distribute any federal funds tied to using Starlink. Targeting Musk himself is difficult and problematic for people who are far from DC or even a Tesla dealership. But this is of direct interest to many Americans in rural areas, it would certainly anger them ("Did you know billionaire Musk wants to force you to have slower internet to enrich himself, instead of the faster broadband internet you paid for?"), and it's more winnable because local/county/state officials and bureaucrats can be more easily made to feel pressure from their own jurisdictions.
I’m happy to see your comment. My friend Jess Piper in Missouri has a wonderful Substack where she is dedicated to trying to help rule Missouri, but real America in general. She was just interviewed on the contrarian if you get that look at it it’s great and she had a speaking engagement with Nebraska Democrats and Iowa Democrats this past week and they are all speaking about this problem. They don’t want Starlink. They want their broadband and I’m happy you’re bringing attention to that.
@jesspiper here and @piperformissouri.bsky.social Please check her out! A new leader for sure!
Anand, your interviews are superb!!! I really wish I had a transcript of this one because your words were sublime at the end about how we can prevail. I would love to make some signs, quoting you, for protests I attend🙏🏽🙌🏾👏🏽
I’d like to see a movement inside the Democratic coalition that is rooted in patriotism and rhetoric that is welcome to all Americans but with fresh branding. Something like the New Blue movement (or something), and just anoint the leaders that WE want, not who we are assigned. We don’t need to malign those older establishment Dems but we can maneuver around them using the real power base in the country—the People. The party is too paternalistic. We need fresh energy, a bold reformist vision and positive, unrelenting populism that asserts itself so powerfully that it just takes over. Think Tea Party but flipped — not just white and reactionary, but diverse, cross-generational and aggressively engaged at the grassroots level using humor, community and a renewal of abundance politics. I believe we are seeing the green shoots of that now and we should harness it. Call out the cowardice by actually being the Home of the Brave, not just saying it. We can co-op the nation’s 250th birthday NOW by starting a peacefully but passionately pursued revolutionary movement with civil disobedience and good trouble. We should not leave 1776 to the traitorous Right. No! We reclaim it right now. Waiting for leadership is futile. We are the damn leaders!
Dear Anand: You may also want to include a DONATE button here for those of us who are already subscribers and for those who aren't. Thank you, and your staff, and your hardworking guests for pushing oxygen through into what has become a culture-at-large miasma. You're blessings, all!
These conversations have become my happy times. Really meaningful and just beautiful.
"More people want to be free than want to be chained". Dude. Anand! Your words?
🥰
Can you comment on Curtis Yarvin's influence on what's happening? He seems to be driving the intentional destruction with the aim to create a monarchy. TIA!
These are always so inspirational. Thank you! Thank you for your work and for keeping us informed, engaged, and dare I say, hopeful.
The only thing that will change is when he is gone forever.
Thank you fit this thoughtful, timely discussion. I agree income and wealth inequalities that Republicans never want to talk about have moved to center stage in recent weeks - as the richest man in the world and his team of tech toddlers ransack government offices and treat ordinary workers like trash.
One opposition leader understands this issue in his bones, and that is Bernie Sanders. He’s drawing huge, diverse crowds for a reason: he cares about the working and middle classes and their daily struggles in a system that most agree is rigged for the wealthiest. Not everyone agrees with his solutions, but he convincingly describes how the system that Trump is making far worse fails most Americans.
Entrenched Democratic leaders would be wise to pay attention.
Thank you, Anand and Ruth! You make such a positive difference in the pro-democracy efforts, contributing your intellect and most importantly, heart and soul! Continue shining the light on humanity!
Appreciate your discussions with Ruth
Oh wow, like Ruth just said!
Re elites, they have something to lose, a form of compromat…All the more reason we need a grassroots movement.
Love you guys!
Morally flimsy elite. Yes!