On today’s “To the Contrary” Podcast, I’m joined by chess grandmaster, democracy advocate, and author of the “Next Move” newsletter, Garry Kasparov, to explore how creeping authoritarianism could take hold in the United States. Kasparov warns that fear, normalization of abuses, and erosion of democratic institutions are already pushing America down a dangerous path. We discuss the historical patterns of autocratic power, the unique risks posed by Donald Trump’s return to office, and what must be done to defend democracy before it’s too late.
Subscribers can listen to an ad-free version right here… or you can watch on YouTube / Listen (and subscribe) on Apple/ Spotify / iHeart / RSS Feed.
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Tracking Trump-Epstein
Don’t miss this deep-dive by the NYT into the longstanding bromance between our p*ssy-grabbing president and the world’s most notorious pedophile; “Inside the Long Friendship Between Trump and Epstein.”
Because I am a river to my people… here is a gift link.
There were lavish dinners with boldface names at Mr. Epstein’s mansion on the Upper East Side and raucous parties with cheerleaders and models at Mr. Trump’s private club and residence at Mar-a-Lago. In between, there were trips back and forth from Florida to New York on one of Mr. Epstein’s private jets.
But behind the tabloid glamour, questions have lingered about what Mr. Trump’s long association with Mr. Epstein says about his judgment and character, especially as his allies have stoked sinister claims about Mr. Epstein’s connections to Democrats. After their relationship ruptured, the disgraced financier ended up behind bars not just once, but two times, after being accused of engaging in sex with teenage girls.
One of the young women who later said Mr. Epstein groomed and abused her was recruited into his world while working as a spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago. Another accuser recalled being eyed by Mr. Trump during a brief encounter in Mr. Epstein’s office, and claimed that Mr. Epstein had told Mr. Trump at the time that “she’s not for you.”
Another woman has said that Mr. Trump groped her when Mr. Epstein brought her to Trump Tower in Manhattan to meet him. This week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr. Trump gave Mr. Epstein a note for his 50th birthday in 2003 that included a sketch of a naked woman and a cryptic reference to a “secret” the two men shared. Mr. Trump has denied writing the message and filed a libel lawsuit on Friday challenging the story. The New York Times has not verified the Journal report.
You’re invited! ISMA Hosts its Second Annual 'Liberalism for the 21st Century' Conference
I’ll be there, so consider joining us.
Important Info
Conference Name: Liberalism for the 21st Century
What Is It: A global convening to defend and revitalize liberal democracy.
Who Is Hosting It: The Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism (ISMA)
Who Will Be Speaking: Go here to explore the program
When Is It: August 14–15
Where Is It: The Watergate Hotel, Washington, D.C.
How To Register: Go here to register for the conference
And there is a 20% promotional discount to those who sign up from newsletters. So readers of “To the Contrary” can go here to register. Use the promo code LC20 for the discount.
Liberal democracy is not the permanent state of things—in much of the world, it’s not even the status quo. It has had to fight for everything it has won. Throughout the 20th century, it successfully beat back fascism and communism. But those were not once-for-all victories. In the 21st century, it is facing new ideological challenges—many of them aggressively authoritarian strains of populist nationalism—united around a shared rejection of liberalism.
In relatively short order, these emerging authoritarian currents have gained enormous political traction around the world, resulting in a wave of global democratic backsliding. They are mobilizing majoritarian grievances to question liberalism’s commitment to ordered liberty, toleration, pluralism, and equality under the rule of law.
If allowed to endure, these ideologies would undo the unprecedented political stability, peace, and prosperity that Enlightenment liberalism has delivered over the last 250 years. There is no more urgent task than to defeat them—not through coercion, but through persuasion in the realm of ideas.
For this reason, true liberals, who understand the enormous stakes in this battle, need to set aside their existing policy disagreements and come together in a renewed defense of core liberal-democratic values (limited government, openness, pluralism, toleration, and human rights) and institutions (checks-and-balances, separation of powers, executive restraint, and representative governance). They need to jettison the old and stale left/right divisions and forge a new liberal/illiberal alignment. And they need to offer a revitalized intellectual defense of liberalism and show how it is the only governing system that can generate workable solutions with broad buy-in for the very problems that now lead people to reject it.
To this end, the Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism (ISMA), publisher of The UnPopulist, will convene its second annual, “Liberalism for the 21st Century” conference from August 14 to 15 at D.C.’s Watergate Hotel (yes, the irony is not lost on us!). ISMA, once again, will assemble the world’s leading liberal thinkers, journalists, and advocates for two days dedicated to countering the rise of illiberalism and charting a course forward for a revitalized liberalism that can answer the challenges of the modern era.
This year, the conference will kick off with a keynote by Pulitzer-finalist, Suketu Mehta, who will describe, using his novelist’s eye, how the socio-psychology of a people changes when a free society transitions into autocracy. It will take stock of America’s descent into illiberalism and what that portends for the world. It will discuss the intellectual roots of illiberal ideologies and debate issues such as immigration where liberals offer different approaches.
Indeed, to model the values of tolerance and pluralism that are core to a liberal order, the conference will bring together liberals of different strains from various religions, nationalities, sexualities, and races, all united by a common concern for liberalism.
The featured speakers this year include Francis Fukuyama, Steven Pinker, Ruth Marcus, Jack Goldsmith, Dan Drezner, Jennifer Mittelstadt, Laura Field, Marc Dunkelman, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ben Wittes, Jonathan Rauch, Leopoldo López, Derek Thompson, and many others.
You can find the full program here.
The event will be open to the public but you’ll need to register to attend. Capacity is limited—last year we sold out several weeks before the event!—so act fast and ask your fellow liberals to do the same.
This is going to be the biggest and most important conclave of liberals held within living memory. You won’t want to miss it.
Some highlights of my conversation with Garry Kasparov
Autocracies don’t emerge overnight. Lessons from history.
Are we on the path here?
Finally
That was then. This is now.
Sunday dogs
Hello there. Moses meets a friend.
Eli meets Pete.
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