The Ezra Klein Show: "The New Rules of the Trump Era"
Hosted by Ezra Klein
Release Date: January 22, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "The New Rules of the Trump Era," Ezra Klein delves deep into the shifting political landscape ushered in by Donald Trump's return to the White House. Joined by his editor, Aaron Retica, Klein explores the profound changes in American political norms, the consolidation of power among new elites, and the implications for democracy. This comprehensive discussion navigates through Trump's executive actions, the influence of tech moguls, and the broader societal ramifications of these developments.

Double Presidential Transitions

Ezra Klein begins by contrasting two simultaneous presidential transitions:

1. Official Transition of Power: Marked by traditional ceremonies and peaceful handovers.
2. Transition of the Political System: Reflecting a deeper shift in power dynamics and political norms.

Klein Highlights:

• Peaceful Official Transition: Vice President Kamala Harris presided over certification processes, and significant figures from the previous administration were present at Trump's second inauguration.
• Disruptive Political Transition: Contrasting the orderly handover with the chaos of four years prior when a mob stormed the Capitol, signaling the fragility of democratic norms.

Klein (00:40): "This transition has been very orderly. But there has been this other transition happening too. A transition not of power but of political system. A transition in the rules and expectations of power."

Executive Actions and Constitutional Challenges

Klein scrutinizes President Biden's final days in office, pointing out actions that seemingly undermine constitutional processes:

• Pardons: Biden pardoned numerous individuals, including Hunter Biden, Anthony Fauci, and members of his family, raising questions about the misuse of presidential pardon powers.

  Klein (06:24): "Joe Biden has already lost two children. Others may disagree. I had trouble begrudging him his refusal to potentially lose a third."

• Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Ratification Claim: Biden announced the ratification of the ERA by Virginia in 2020, despite legal deadlines and the Justice Department's stance that it remains unratified.

  Klein (07:15): "He did not direct the archivist of the United States to add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution, and she quite reasonably did not. He said the Constitution was changed. It lies now unchanged."

Klein interprets these actions as attempts to consolidate power and reshape political norms rather than adhere to democratic processes.

Trump's Second Term: A Different Presidency

The discussion shifts to Donald Trump's approach in his second inauguration and his administration's early actions, highlighting a stark departure from traditional presidential behavior.

Key Points:

• Presence of Tech CEOs: Influential figures like Elon Musk (X, Tesla), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Sundar Pichai (Alphabet), and Jeff Bezos (Amazon, Washington Post) were prominently present, signaling a fusion of corporate and political power.

  Klein (08:32): "This was our attentional oligarchy, the people who control what we look at assembled before Trump."

• Cryptocurrency Endeavors: The Trump family launched meme coins, indicating a blend of politics and profit-driven ventures.

  Klein (08:50): "Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, which also shot up, although it seemed to harm the value of the Trump meme coin."

• Renaming Landmarks and Territorial Ambitions: Proposals to rename Denali to Mount McKinley and planting the American flag on Mars reflect a mix of nationalist and futuristic aspirations.

  Klein (25:31): "It's a retro-futurist view, trying to unite 19th-century nativist movements with 22nd-century interplanetary ambitions."

Influence of Tech Billionaires and Oligarchy

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the role of tech billionaires in the new political regime:

• Elon Musk's Role: Musk's acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) and his influence within the Trump administration exemplify the merging of tech power and political authority.

  Klein (30:50): "Elon Musk... has developed an influence and a control that is very different."

• Shift from Monetary to Attentional Power: Klein argues that under Trump, political power is increasingly derived from control over attention rather than just financial resources.

  Klein (36:59): "These are attentional billionaires. These are attentional oligarchs. Democrats still think the fundamental substance of political power is money. Republicans under Trump believe it is attention."

• Selective Pardons and Power Consolidation: The mass pardoning of January 6th rioters and other associates indicates an effort to protect and empower loyalists within the new system.

  Klein (40:01): "These are the new rules... it's saying we play by these rules too. Now we pardon our people, they pardon their people."

Pardons and the New Power Dynamics

Klein delves into the unprecedented scale of pardons issued by Biden and their implications:

• Mass Pardons: Approximately 1,500 individuals, including violent offenders and supporters of Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, were pardoned.

  Klein (40:01): "He pardoned them, too. These are the new rules."

• Political Messaging: These pardons are seen as an acceptance of the new regime's norms, signaling that both administrations are bending rules to protect their affiliates.

  Klein (44:52): "The pardon power is about making sure nobody can hurt your people."

Trump's Divine Right and Historical Destiny

Exploring Trump's self-perception, Klein discusses the notion of divine destiny shaping his actions:

• Divine Intervention: Trump's survival of a near-assassination is interpreted by him and his supporters as a divine sign, reinforcing his belief in a grand purpose.

  Klein (45:15): "Donald Trump experienced his near assassination as a divine touch. He was saved, and he must have been saved for a purpose."

• Accelerationist Approach: Klein posits that Trump's administration is marked by an accelerated push towards reshaping America, blending aggressive nationalism with futuristic ambitions.

  Klein (45:15): "The particular context in which he takes office for the second time strikes me as very accelerationist."

Implications for American Democracy

Klein expresses concern over the erosion of democratic norms and the consolidation of power among a new elite:

• Norm Erosion: The disregard for traditional checks and balances, coupled with the rise of oligarchic influences, threatens the foundational principles of American democracy.

  Klein (30:51): "These attentional billionaires... feel they can become part of ruling."

• Attention as Power: Under the Trump era, controlling public attention is equated with ultimate political power, overshadowing traditional monetary influences.

  Klein (36:59): "Republicans under Trump believe [political power is based on] attention. And I think they are closer to it."

• Potential Backlash and Consolidation: Klein anticipates a possible backlash against this new oligarchy but also warns of potential power consolidation among Trump and his allies, reminiscent of backsliding seen in other nations.

  Klein (18:43): "Changing the Constitution under a controversial theory, it's not what you do on your way out the door. The Biden of 2020 would have done none of this."

Conclusion

"The New Rules of the Trump Era" paints a sobering picture of a transformed American political landscape. Ezra Klein and Aaron Retica dissect the intricate dynamics of power, highlighting how Trump's administration is redefining political norms through aggressive executive actions, strategic alliances with tech elites, and a reimagined sense of national identity. The episode serves as a critical examination of the vulnerabilities within American democracy and the emerging threats posed by an oligarchic fusion of corporate and political power.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Political Transitions:

  Klein (00:40): "This transition has been very orderly. But there has been this other transition happening too."

• On Executive Actions:

  Klein (07:15): "He did not direct the archivist of the United States to add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution, and she quite reasonably did not."

• On Attentional Oligarchy:

  Klein (08:32): "This was our attentional oligarchy, the people who control what we look at assembled before Trump."

• On Tech Billionaires:

  Klein (36:59): "These are attentional billionaires. These are attentional oligarchs."

• On Divine Destiny:

  Klein (45:15): "Donald Trump experienced his near assassination as a divine touch. He was saved, and he must have been saved for a purpose."

Final Thoughts

Ezra Klein's exploration of "The New Rules of the Trump Era" offers listeners an incisive analysis of current political transformations. By juxtaposing traditional democratic norms with emerging oligarchic influences, Klein underscores the precarious state of American democracy and the profound challenges it faces in maintaining its foundational principles amidst unprecedented power consolidations.