In our second episode of the “To the Contrary Podcast,” The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols and I discuss the chaotic first few days of Trump’s second term, examining the administration’s internal distractions, its attacks on the rule of law, and the broader implications for democracy. We explore Trump’s erratic priorities—from tariffs and plastic straws to threats against NATO— and, of course, we touch on Elon Musk’s growing influence, the undermining of U.S. institutions, and the dangerous consequences of an increasingly unserious electorate.
Happy Tuesday.
The knee-bending by billionaire media moguls and the enshittification of social media by the broligarchs has transformed the media landscape... and made independent outlets like Substack more vital than ever.
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Some short highlights of my conversation with Tom Nichols:
You can listen/watch right here, or: Watch on YouTube / Listen (and subscribe) on Apple/ Spotify / iHeart / RSS Feed.
Tuesday dogs
“You want a friend in life, get a dog.”
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