Apple News Today: An Alarm Bell for American Democracy
Hosted by Shemitah Basu | Released on April 25, 2025
Introduction
In the April 25, 2025 episode of Apple News Today, host Shemitah Basu delves into pressing concerns surrounding the state of American democracy. Highlighting recent judicial setbacks for President Donald Trump and examining broader threats to democratic norms, the episode features an insightful conversation with NYU Professor Ruth Ben Ghiat, an expert on authoritarianism and author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. Additionally, the episode touches on various other significant news stories, including the environmental impact of polite interactions with AI chatbots and recent developments in abortion laws.
The State of American Democracy
The episode opens with a concerning overview of the current political climate in the United States. Basu references a survey involving over 500 political scientists, revealing a widespread belief that the U.S. is transitioning from a liberal democracy toward authoritarianism. This sentiment is polarized, with some citizens strongly resonating with these academic concerns, while others staunchly defend President Trump as a savior of the nation.
Key Quote:
[00:00]
Shemitah Basu: "A survey of more than 500 political scientists found the vast majority believe the United States is quickly swinging from a liberal democracy to some form of authoritarianism."
Expert Insights on Authoritarianism
To unpack these alarming trends, Basu interviews Professor Ruth Ben Ghiat. Ghiat provides a historical perspective on authoritarianism, emphasizing that autocratic leaders often target specific groups to consolidate power. She draws parallels between past strongmen like Mussolini and contemporary figures, noting persistent themes such as the persecution of opposition politicians, judges, journalists, LGBTQ communities, religious minorities, and immigrants.
Key Quotes:
[01:54]
Ruth Ben Ghiat: "Authoritarianism is an evolution. Autocrats go after the same groups over a hundred years... For example, autocrats go after the opposition politicians... They go after LGBTQ people, religious minorities... immigrants."
[04:22]
Shemitah Basu: "As we approach the 100th day mark of Trump's second term here, what specific actions are you observing that concern you?"
[04:33]
Ruth Ben Ghiat: "There are structural things that correspond to authoritarianism, where the government becomes a place for loyalists rather than competent officials... The leader's personal power becomes paramount."
Ghiat also introduces the concept of "electoral autocracy," where leaders maintain the facade of democratic processes, such as elections and independent media, while manipulating these systems to retain power undemocratically.
Key Quote:
[04:33]
Ruth Ben Ghiat: "...we have something called electoral autocracy, where even in Russia, in Turkey, in Hungary, you keep other parties going... So, we have to keep that in mind, that it doesn't look like the old days."
Trump’s Consolidation of Power
Discussing President Trump's actions, Ghiat outlines how his administration has systematically undermined democratic institutions. She points to the consolidation of control over the GOP, the Supreme Court's granting of presidential immunity for official acts, and the implementation of Project 2025—a comprehensive governance plan aimed at entrenching Trump's influence.
Key Quote:
[04:22]
Ruth Ben Ghiat: "Trump consolidated his control over his partners, so consolidated his control over the GOP. The Supreme Court... gave the office of the president immunity for official acts."
Basu probes the extent to which the erosion of democratic norms is directly attributable to Trump versus broader, long-standing political trends. Ghiat acknowledges Trump's adeptness at tapping into widespread disaffection and positioning himself as the savior of neglected demographics, particularly the white working class.
Historical Context and Unique American Challenges
Ghiat situates the current situation within a broader historical framework of authoritarianism, emphasizing that while certain patterns are consistent, the American case presents unique challenges. She highlights the unprecedented nature of an ex-president like Trump returning to power and attempting to undermine democratic institutions through a "self-coup."
Key Quotes:
[09:13]
Shemitah Basu: "There's clearly something completely different happening here, too. There's an unprecedented element."
[09:51]
Ruth Ben Ghiat: "Americans are different... if you look at these things, comparatively, we're completely unique in voting back in somebody who tried to overthrow the government."
Ghiat underscores the rapid pace at which democratic backsliding is occurring in the U.S., surpassing previous instances seen in countries like Russia and Hungary. She emphasizes the critical role of elections in potentially reversing these trends, provided they remain free and fair.
Strategies to Halt Democratic Backsliding
When discussing potential remedies, Ghiat advocates for several strategies to combat the erosion of democratic norms:
- Maintaining Free Elections: Ensuring that electoral processes remain transparent and fair to allow for meaningful political competition.
- Mass Nonviolent Protest: Mobilizing public dissent to pressure elites to abandon support for autocratic leaders.
- Faith Institutions: Leveraging religious and moral frameworks to promote decency and uphold democratic values.
- Community Dialogue: Encouraging conversations across polarized groups to bridge divides and foster mutual understanding.
Key Quote:
[11:19]
Ruth Ben Ghiat: "Accountability. And is government working for the people? Or are our rights and our entitlements... being taken away?"
Legal Setbacks for President Trump
Following the interview, Basu provides an update on several legal challenges facing President Trump:
- Voter Registration Laws: A federal court rejected Trump's attempt to mandate documented proof of citizenship for voter registration.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Schools: Another court temporarily blocked the administration's efforts to remove diversity-related initiatives from public schools.
- Deportation Cases: A federal judge ordered the return of an individual wrongly deported to El Salvador and criticized the Department of Justice for potential non-compliance regarding ongoing cases.
Key Quote:
[11:54]
Shemitah Basu: "A federal judge ordered the administration to bring back yet another man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador... their refusal to do so can only be viewed as willful and intentional non-compliance."
Impact of Abortion Bans
The episode also addresses recent legislative actions related to abortion:
- Increased Mortality Rates: Pregnant individuals in states with abortion bans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth.
- Protective Measures: Conversely, states enforcing abortion access protections have seen a decrease in pregnancy-related deaths.
- Healthcare Provider Warnings: Health professionals have long cautioned that abortion bans pose severe risks to patient lives, often complicating timely access to necessary care despite supposed exceptions.
Key Quote:
[11:54]
Shemitah Basu: "Pregnancy-related deaths dropped in states that have enacted measures to protect access to abortion... bans on abortion access pose a serious threat to the lives of pregnant patients."
Environmental and Economic Costs of Politeness to AI
In a lighter yet impactful segment, Basu explores the unintended consequences of polite interactions with AI chatbots like ChatGPT. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that phrases like "please" and "thank you" cumulatively cost tens of millions of dollars and have a significant environmental footprint due to increased computational demands. While some argue that politeness fosters better human-AI relationships, studies suggest that how we treat AI reflects our treatment of one another.
Key Quote:
[11:54]
Shemitah Basu: "Extra words increase the computational load, therefore requiring more electricity and more water... there really is no good reason to be polite to your AI of choice."
Conclusion
Apple News Today concludes by directing listeners to further resources and upcoming stories, including an in-depth profile of Russell Vogt, the director of the Federal Office of Management and Budget and a key figure behind Project 2025. Shemitah Basu encourages her audience to stay informed through the Apple News app and anticipates continuing coverage of these critical issues in future episodes.
Final Note:
[11:54]
Shemitah Basu: "Enjoy the weekend and I'll be back with the news on Monday."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the episode's exploration of American democracy's fragility, the legal battles facing former President Trump, and other significant societal issues, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the discussions and insights shared.