American Decline

How “The Godfather” Explains Trump’s Presidency

The Atlantic’s Jonathan Rauch joins Mona to talk about Trump’s Achilles Heel. The two discuss Trumpism through the lens of “patrimonialism”—a corrupt, loyalty-based system where the state is treated as the leader’s personal property. Rauch explains how this framework better describes Trump’s regime than classic authoritarianism, emphasizing its inherent incompetence and corruption. The most effective way to counter it? A relentless, focused campaign highlighting Trump as the most corrupt president in American history (which he is.)

Categories: American Decline

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