Podcast Summary: "Susan Glasser: Basic Trumpology"

Podcast Information:

• Title: To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
• Host/Author: Charlie Sykes
• Guest: Susan Glasser
• Episode: Susan Glasser: Basic Trumpology
• Release Date: June 26, 2025
• Description: A deep dive into the complexities of Donald Trump's influence on American politics, the current state of national unity, and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party.

Introduction and Context (02:42 - 03:12)

The episode kicks off with Charlie Sykes welcoming Susan Glasser of The New Yorker to discuss the tumultuous political landscape shaped by Donald Trump. They touch upon the recent news from social media about "Big Balls" departing from the federal government, which sets the stage for a broader conversation about the current political era.

Elon Musk and Federal Government Turmoil (03:12 - 04:12)

Susan Glasser highlights the impact of Elon Musk's actions on the federal government, referring to it as an "era of Elon Musk's reign of terror" involving "intern hackers" causing chaos. This segment underscores the unpredictable dynamics within the government influenced by high-profile figures.

Notable Quote:

"It's always great to be with you, Charlie."
— Susan Glasser (02:58)

Donald Trump’s Manipulation of the News Cycle (04:12 - 06:32)

The discussion shifts to Donald Trump's adeptness at navigating and manipulating the news cycle. Glasser points out how Trump benefits from a "constant state of national forgetting," allowing him to stay relevant by overshadowing significant global events with his own narrative.

Notable Quote:

"Donald Trump has bombed Iran. We may or may not be at war with Iran."
— Charlie Sykes (06:15)

Glasser emphasizes that Trump’s strategic communication often lacks transparency, making it difficult for the public to discern the truth.

The Iran Nuclear Deal and Recent Bombing (06:32 - 13:28)

A substantial portion of the conversation delves into the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump scrapped in 2018. Glasser explains the implications of this decision, linking it to the recent bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. They discuss the lack of credible intelligence preceding the strike and the uncertainty surrounding its success.

Notable Quote:

"Donald Trump, of course, went like DEFCON 80 million against journalists."
— Susan Glasser (10:47)

Glasser criticizes Trump for undermining trust in government institutions and highlights the opaque nature of the situation with Iran, questioning the future steps if the bombing fails to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Trust in Institutions and Post-Truth Era (13:28 - 17:39)

The conversation explores the erosion of trust in U.S. institutions, exacerbated by Trump's frequent contradictions and lies. Glasser asserts that this "post-truth era" poses significant risks, especially in foreign policy and potential conflicts with nations like Iran.

Notable Quote:

"That's the dilemma for people. Can you feel that way about Trump and also quietly breathe a sigh of relief at the possibility that Iran might not... might be much farther away from obtaining a nuclear weapon?"
— Susan Glasser (16:53)

Glasser underscores the complexity of national security when leadership is perceived as unreliable.

Trump’s Divisive Leadership and National Unity (19:07 - 28:13)

Sykes and Glasser analyze Trump's role as a "divider in chief," referencing Glasser's book The Divider. They discuss how Trump’s approach intentionally polarizes the nation, feeding his base with divisive rhetoric. The impact of this leadership style on national unity is critically examined, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notable Quote:

"He is more invested in upsetting and frightening half of the country."
— Susan Glasser (26:15)

Glasser highlights how Trump's governance fosters division rather than unity, contrasting it with past presidents who sought to unify the nation during crises.

Democratic Party’s Struggles and Candidate Selection (28:13 - 42:44)

The discussion transitions to the Democratic Party's challenges, particularly in selecting effective candidates. Using the recent New York City mayoral race as a case study, where Andrew Cuomo was rejected in favor of a more radical candidate, Glasser critiques the Democratic establishment's inability to present viable leaders.

Notable Quote:

"I feel like that is a legitimate explanation for what happened, rather than the idea that New Yorkers have all turned into performatively bullshit left-wing anarchists."
— Susan Glasser (34:17)

Glasser argues that the failure to endorse credible candidates like Cuomo reflects deeper issues within the Democratic Party, contributing to voter disillusionment.

National Fallout and Future of Democratic Strategies (42:44 - 41:10)

Sykes and Glasser explore the national implications of local political failures. They debate whether incidents like the mayoral race will be nationalized by Republicans to fuel narratives against Democrats or if they will remain isolated as local issues.

Notable Quote:

"I think that voters are pretty wise to that."
— Susan Glasser (43:45)

Glasser remains skeptical about the Democratic Party's ability to unify and respond effectively to Trump's divisive tactics, emphasizing the need for strategic candidate selection.

Hope for National Unity and Conclusion (41:10 - 44:21)

Despite the bleak outlook, Glasser expresses a cautious hope that national unity might still be achievable, albeit likely short-lived under Trump’s leadership. The episode concludes with reflections on the current political climate and the critical need for informed discourse.

Notable Quote:

"It is absolutely crucial that we remind ourselves we are not the crazy ones."
— Charlie Sykes (43:50)

Sykes wraps up the episode by reinforcing the importance of collective rationality amidst political chaos.

Key Insights and Takeaways:

1. Trump's Manipulation of Media: Donald Trump's ability to control and divert media narratives has significantly impacted national discourse, often overshadowing critical global events.

2. Erosion of Trust: Frequent contradictions and misinformation from the Trump administration have eroded public trust in government institutions, complicating policy analysis and foreign relations.

3. Impact on Foreign Policy: The scrapping of the Iran nuclear deal under Trump has led to heightened tensions and uncertainty regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities, with recent bombings adding to the instability.

4. Divisive Leadership: Trump's leadership style fosters deep national divisions, undermining efforts towards unity even during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. Democratic Party Challenges: The Democratic Party faces internal struggles in candidate selection, often endorsing individuals with significant baggage, which alienates voters and weakens the party's national standing.

6. Future of National Unity: While temporary moments of unity are possible during major crises, sustained national unity remains unlikely as long as divisive leadership persists.

This episode of "To The Contrary" provides a thorough analysis of the current political landscape shaped by Donald Trump's leadership, highlighting the challenges in national unity and the Democratic Party's strategic missteps. Susan Glasser's insights, combined with Charlie Sykes' probing questions, offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics at play in modern American politics.