Podcast Summary: Autocracy in America – Episode: "The Return"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Autocracy in America
• Host/Author: The Atlantic
• Description: There are authoritarian tactics already at work in the United States. To root them out, you have to know where to look.
• Episode: The Return
• Release Date: July 11, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere episode titled "The Return," Anne Applebaum, a renowned historian and journalist, delves into the alarming rise of autocratic behaviors within American politics. Joined by Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion and vocal opponent of Putinism, the episode explores the parallels between Trump's second presidency and historical authoritarian regimes.

Setting the Stage for Autocracy in America

Anne Applebaum opens the discussion by reflecting on the podcast's first season, which examined existing autocratic practices in the U.S.—practices typically associated with non-democratic nations. She states:

"We looked at some of the ways in which the United States had already adopted practices common in the autocratic world."
[01:04]

Garry Kasparov adds historical context from his experiences combating Putin's autocracy in Russia, emphasizing the similarity in tactics:

"Russia is in a moment of crisis, and every decent person must stand up and resist the rise of the Putin dictatorship."
[03:31]

Parallels Between Trump’s Presidency and Autocratic Regimes

Applebaum draws direct comparisons between Trump's actions during his second term and those of Putin, highlighting a surge in kleptocratic behaviors:

"Trump has adopted the practices of kleptocracy on a scale no previous American president ever imagined."
[02:28]

Kasparov concurs, illustrating how Trump's consolidation of power mirrors Putin's strategies in undermining democratic institutions:

"Trump is trying to destroy the system and to make sure that he and his cronies, his successors, could rule the country without any restrictions that have been provided by this very constitutional framework that made him win in the first place."
[17:22]

Erosion of Democratic Norms

The conversation delves into how Trump's administration has systematically dismantled democratic checks and balances. Applebaum notes the aggressive firing of civil servants and replacing them with loyalists:

"He's fired civil servants... seeks to replace them with loyalists and seeks to intimidate enemies and political rivals."
[02:02]

Kasparov elaborates on the creation of an oligarchic system where money and power are intertwined, much like in Putin's Russia:

"It's basically creating a money and power synergy in the same hands... It's a gradual merge between those who control money and those who directly make decisions."
[07:56]

Manipulation of Truth and Public Perception

A significant portion of the episode analyzes Trump's relentless use of falsehoods to manipulate public perception, a tactic reminiscent of authoritarian regimes:

Anne Applebaum:

"Trump isn't trying to create a false story about reality... Instead, the idea is just to lie constantly, all the time, about almost everything."
[12:40]

Garry Kasparov:

"Constant lie becomes a very important test for loyalty because you want to make sure that your sycophants... follow you without asking questions."
[13:20]

This strategy leads to public distrust in institutions and a pervasive sense of uncertainty about factual truths, weakening the foundation of democracy.

Impact on American Values and Institutions

Applebaum emphasizes the fundamental values under threat, such as the separation of powers and the rule of law:

"It's the separation of powers and the rule of law."
[17:22]

Kasparov echoes this sentiment, warning that Trump's actions aim to tilt the balance of power permanently in favor of the executive branch:

"Trump is trying to destroy the system... to make sure that he and his cronies... could rule the country without any restrictions."
[17:22]

Global Implications and the Battle for Democracy

The discussion broadens to the global stage, examining how the rise of autocratic tendencies in the U.S. affects international democracy:

Garry Kasparov:

"The war in Ukraine... will probably most likely decide the future of humanity and future of freedom worldwide for decades to come."
[26:04]

Anne Applebaum:

"The autocratic world has understood it. You now have a de facto coalition or network that's been created by Russia, by China, by theocratic Iran, by Bolivarian socialist Venezuela... to undermine the idea of democracy."
[27:22]

Kasparov highlights the necessity of international coalitions to combat the coordinated efforts of autocratic regimes aiming to destabilize democratic institutions globally.

Future Directions and Upcoming Conversations

As the episode concludes, Applebaum and Kasparov outline the themes for the podcast's second season, aiming to explore deeper into the mechanisms and global trends facilitating the rise of autocracy in America. They emphasize the importance of understanding underlying currents and forming diverse coalitions to safeguard democracy.

Garry Kasparov:

"We have to abandon some conflicts that separated American society... recognize that Trump's actions are aimed at this very system."
[15:31]

Anne Applebaum:

"Political debate is not anymore about practical policies... Instead, it's about these very existential issues."
[20:07]

The season promises to feature conversations with experts from various fields to dissect the roots of the Trump phenomenon and strategize on defending democratic values against authoritarian threats.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Anne Applebaum:
  "We looked at some of the ways in which the United States had already adopted practices common in the autocratic world."
  [01:04]

• Garry Kasparov:
  "Trump is trying to destroy the system and to make sure that he and his cronies... could rule the country without any restrictions."
  [17:22]

• Anne Applebaum:
  "Trump isn't trying to create a false story about reality... Instead, the idea is just to lie constantly, all the time, about almost everything."
  [12:40]

• Garry Kasparov:
  "Constant lie becomes a very important test for loyalty because you want to make sure that your sycophants... follow you without asking questions."
  [13:20]

• Garry Kasparov:
  "The war in Ukraine... will probably most likely decide the future of humanity and future of freedom worldwide for decades to come."
  [26:04]

Conclusion

"The Return" sets a compelling foundation for understanding the subtle yet profound shifts towards autocracy within American politics. Through insightful dialogue between Applebaum and Kasparov, listeners gain a nuanced perspective on the threats facing democracy and the urgent need for collective action to preserve democratic institutions and values.

Stay tuned for the upcoming episodes of "Autocracy in America," where in-depth discussions and expert analyses will further illuminate the path to safeguarding democracy against authoritarian encroachments.

Production Credits:

• Produced by: Arlene Aurello and Natalie Brennan
• Editor: Dave Shaw
• Original Music and Mix: Rob Smersiak
• Fact-Checking: Ana Alvarada
• Special Thanks: Paulina Kasparov, Mick Gringott, Claudia Nebaid (Executive Producer of Atlantic Audio), Andre Valdes (Managing Editor)

Hosts:

• Anne Applebaum: Historian, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and journalist.
• Garry Kasparov: Former world chess champion, political activist, and author.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.