Pomp vs. Protest
Audio Recording by George Hahn
June 14 was a day of stark contrasts and dueling narratives. As President Trump staged a military parade and tanks squeaked down Constitution Avenue, millions of Americans — from Bangor to Beverly Hills — marched in the streets to protest. Trump celebrated the country’s military might (and his 79th birthday), vowing to crush foreign adversaries that threaten the U.S. and use “heavy force” to stop any domestic protesters who stood in his way. The peaceful resistance movement in 2,100 cities and towns across America had a simple message: No thrones. No crowns. No kings.
The clash between hardware and software made strikingly clear that putting tanks and troops on your own roads isn’t a sign of strength, but weakness. There are three firewalls between a democracy and autocracy: the courts, the media, and the citizenry. The GOP represents the 1% at the cost of the 99%. The Democrats are more interested in grasping for social virtue than improving the material and emotional well-being of Americans. When your representatives won’t represent, you become your own delegation.
No Kings
Attendance at Trump’s parade to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary appeared to fall far short of the White House’s estimate of 250,000 people. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s yawn, captured on camera, said it all. The celebration, brought to you by sponsors such as Coinbase and Palantir, was a sad spectacle. The event had the cool factor of your drunk uncle showing off his karate moves at Thanksgiving. I wonder if what ultimately limits the damage of this clearance-rack autocrat isn’t the courts or the 10-year bond, but just how lame he is.
The No Kings campaign was a dramatically different story. A widely-cited analysis from data journalist G. Elliott Morris estimates that 4 million to 6 million people participated in the protests. That represents 1.2% to 1.8% of the U.S. population and makes it one of the largest single-day protests in American history, probably even bigger than the 2017 Women’s March, when more than 4 million people showed up at demonstrations around the country. Supported by a long list of organizations, from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Service Employees International Union, the rallies were deftly timed to divert the spotlight from 47’s show. TV networks had no choice but to cut to the protesters chanting, dancing, and marching shoulder to shoulder. America got a split screen: bottle service at Applebee’s vs. Bagatelle in Saint-Tropez.
The 3.5% Rule
The No Kings turnout was significant, even if it didn’t reach a critical threshold. When at least 3.5% of a country’s population actively engages in a peaceful protest movement, it has always resulted in political change, according to Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist and professor at Harvard. Chenoweth analyzed 323 nonviolent and violent mobilizations between 1900 and 2006, highlighting a range of campaigns, including the People Power movement against the Ferdinand Marcos regime in the Philippines in 1986; the Rose Revolution in 2003, in which the people of Georgia ousted Eduard Shevardnadze; and an uprising in Sudan in 2019 that forced its president of 30 years, Omar al-Bashir, to step down. She also concluded that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent movements. Every senior — in every high school, in every country — should be forced to read the previous sentence 100 times.
Tesla Takedown
In an interview on Pod Save America earlier this week, Chenoweth said protest campaigns that fulfill their objectives and ignite change have similar characteristics: They are united, inclusive, highly organized, and disciplined — they stick to their strategy without getting baited into defending and debating their tactics. These campaigns of nonviolent resistance, she said, can take several different forms, including boycotts. The backlash against Tesla and Elon Musk is a case in point. Since the “Tesla Takedown” began, organizers have encouraged consumers to boycott Tesla by selling their cars, as well as their stock, while protesters have staged demonstrations at factories and showrooms to condemn Musk and his political activities, contributing to a plunge in Tesla sales in key markets. Protesters seem to agree that Musk’s politics are bad for America. We need to continue to make them bad for his business.
Defections
The 3.5% estimate isn’t a magic number. Campaigns will lose steam quickly if they attempt to hit the target without a clear strategy to sustain their momentum. Resistance movements must go beyond street demonstrations (which are often difficult to coordinate and risky) and shift to the business and economic realm. Chenoweth pointed to boycotts in apartheid-era South Africa, which created an economic crisis that contributed to the end of segregation in the early 1990s. “The most important thing that nonviolent movements are able to do,” she said, “is build enough political power and influence — and sometimes economic, social, and cultural power and influence — that they begin to elicit defections from opponents’ pillars of support.”
When it comes to taking on the administration, protesters could use some help from business leaders, many of whom have remained quiet for fear of retaliation. The protest movement will need to persuade companies that Trump’s actions, including his tariff policies, are harming their businesses and threatening the economy. I believe this is one of the biggest opportunities in the consumer market in a decade: The first business leaders to join the cause could reap significant reputational — and commercial — benefits.
Tyranny’s Fashion Show
The first stage-managed displays of military prowess date back to ancient times. Mesopotamian emperors decorated their palaces with friezes depicting their victories, while portraits showed rulers leading their troops into battle or crushing their opponents’ skulls, according to the Guardian. Roman generals also famously loved military parades. In recent decades, Cuba’s Fidel Castro held parades to commemorate the revolution he led in 1959. And North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, who bonded with Trump in 2018, used a 2023 military parade featuring weapons and goose-stepping soldiers to flaunt parts of his country’s nuclear arsenal — and introduce his daughter and potential successor. Earlier this year, China’s Xi Jinping joined Vladimir Putin in Red Square for Russia’s annual “Victory Day” parade. Beijing’s one-party government holds its National Day Parade every 10 years, showcasing trucks carrying nuclear missiles and other weaponry.
It’s not just authoritarian states that throw themselves parades. Just last Saturday, in Britain, King Charles III and members of the royal family appeared at Trooping the Colour, an annual parade and troop inspection to mark the monarch’s official birthday.
Competitive Authoritarianism
The chihuahua barking at his own reflection may provide a torrent of fodder for comedians, but it shouldn’t be dismissed as a joke. It’s another sign of a country descending into kleptocracy and fascism. The military parade — the first of its kind since U.S. troops returned from the Gulf War in 1991 — capped an unsettling week in which Trump deployed the Marines not to a foreign country but to the streets of Los Angeles, to quell “protests.” God, what bullshit. The autocrats’ playbook is to manifest an “enemy within”: immigrants, the media, and academics. Before invading Poland in 1939, Hitler invaded the freedoms of his own citizens. Democracy is under siege and at risk of unraveling as the U.S. slides toward “competitive authoritarianism,” a system in which elections remain important, but the incumbents manipulate the rules, abuse their power, and tilt the playing field against their rivals.
Fighting for Democracy
Despite the “toxic uncertainty” in the economy, threats to American values and rule of law, cruel/weird immigration policies, tax cuts for the rich, and unprecedented grift, you might still believe American democracy is inevitable. Don’t bank on it.
Scholars have worried about a global rise in “democratic backsliding,” as leaders with autocratic tendencies curtail freedoms and consolidate power. One study found that more than two-thirds of the 96 countries which experienced those backsliding episodes between 1900 and 2019 completely broke down into authoritarian rule.
Real Strength
There are signs of hope. Research also shows that over the past three decades about 70% of the countries that descended into autocracy managed to mount a democratic turnaround. In many cases, those fights to reverse the damage led to restored, or even stronger, levels of democracy. I’m aligned with historian Timothy Snyder, who told me last month on the Prof G pod that he’s optimistic about the American protest movement. The No Kings rallies bode well for the next stages of the resistance. Dictators and aspiring autocrats who roll out tanks on their own streets may be dangerous. But history shows they’re no match for a united, organized, and creative opposition campaign. Trump spent his birthday trying to cosplay as a strongman, while millions of Americans demonstrated what actual strength looks like. This was the desperate performance of a man who confuses attention with respect. The marches proved Trump may be able to rent tanks, but he can’t buy legitimacy. In sum, America showed up.
Life is so rich,
P.S. The Prof G Markets pod now provides analysis (and cringe jokes) every Monday through Friday. Keep up with the news and tell everyone you know to subscribe.
89 Comments
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Are Iranian hackers doing something to slow down Yahoo? It keeps requesting codes it promises to send, but never does, to get into my email. Is anyone else having this problem?
If America really showed up, it would have been with a formidable leader, and a platform. I can’t see any deterrent to this President, and, a second term; unless, he self-destructs between now and the end of term. Right now, that’s not a bad bet.
We need leadership. Most of what we have in the Democratic Party is a bunch of tweets and posts and some law suits. Real leaders throughout history lead from the front.
You do know, I guess, that President Trump has a thing for the Bastille Day parade, a famous military parade in France? Of course, you should also know that Bastille Day honors the French Revolution, the first socialist revolution. I’m not sure which is funnier: Trump doing something socialist or Scott berating Trump for doing something socialist.
Peaceful protesters don’t throw cement at people. Period.
Peaceful protesters don’t set fires where people have been recovering from wildfires. Period.
Praising peaceful protesters who throw cement and set fires helps Trump more than it helps Democrats. Period.
Please don’t give Trump so much help.
“The GOP represents the 1% at the cost of the 99%.”
What?
Not a fan of something that doesn’t exist (Grand Old Party) but it’s hard to read beyond this assertion. I will echo Paul’s comment – “please stop diminishing your voice.” And I will echo Sheila – “thank you for your incite” (no sic here)
As one of my Congressional heroes once said, “C’mon, Man!”
Scott – your opinions on universities and business are well thought out and worth reading. So too are your insights on the challenges of young men in our society. Less interesting is your political perspective. Before last year’s election, I didn’t know or care what your political proclivities were – you had important views on important subjects. Make no mistake – I am no MAGA supporter – conservative but not a MAGA apologist. Your politics are not only largely wrong, but at times desperate if not boring. I do not mean to come on so harshly, but please stay in your lane. You have important things to say on business and tech. Please stop diminishing your voice by so fervently supporting the Democratic party (especially Kamala Harris – please).
July 4th is No Kings Day
Leftist No Kings ANTIFA Terrorist Arrested for Attempting to Blow Up Freeway in Portland with IED
A leftist Portland activist has been arrested on felony charges after attempting to bomb a freeway during the anti-Trump and anti-ICE No Kings protests nationwide.
Alexander Robert Wick, 38, of Portland, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on felony charges including first-degree attempted arson, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, possession of a destructive device, and first-degree criminal mischief. He also faces two additional misdemeanor charges of menacing and second-degree disorderly conduct, according to jail records.
On June 14, Wick allegedly began throwing traffic cones and boards with protruding nails into the lanes of traffic on Interstate 5 at the Northeast Failing Street pedestrian bridge around 7 p.m. The attack happened after the “No Kings” event, a nationwide anti-Trump protest organized by Democrats, largely concluded. When drivers came to a stop, Wick allegedly slashed the tires of their vehicles and threatened them with a screwdriver, claiming that he had a bomb, according to a police press release.
Ironically, the man who attempted to commit this criminal act of terrorism and murder advertised the No Kings protests in an Instagram reel, calling for Trump to be indicted “for the crimes he’s committed and is continuing to plan to commit.”
What’s your point? All movements attract absolute wing nuts. The point of our constitution/separation of powers is to ensure that no one person can topple our democracy/constitutional republic. Trump is seeking to subvert the constitution for his own ends, thus the “No Kings” movement. His moves against voting rights, regressive taxation and a wholesale abandonment of the social contract (social security, Medicare/medicaid) is a shit load more scary than some asshole on an overpass.
Why are terrorist organizations like ANTIFA allowed to operate?
What happens if Soros funded operations get violent and engage in domestic terrorism?
What happens if mayors/ police comms/chiefs stand down and do not enforce the law?
What authority does POTUS have specifically over the Marines?
Scott can I just start with saying how much I appreciate your sanity and I love to read your articles and watch you on YouTube. I am a women in your age bracket who really enjoys your sense of humour
Great that you had Justin Wolfers on Prof G. the other day. An economist who can speak clearly so that even a 12 year old can understand the basic fundamentals of economics. Now if only Trump had an attention span longer than a goldfish, he might even be able to grasp some of what Justin said.
Having the US military on the streets in America is one of the saddest moments I have seen since January 6th. Trump is obviously making it clear to Americans that if you attend a demonstration you risk being killed, jailed, brutally damaged or maybe something worse. Dictators do not like being challenged.
I never thought I would see America in as bad a predicament in my lifetime.
Japan and South Korea are key US allies in East Asia, but thanks to Trump’s tariffs their economies are going to take a serious dive. Just in time for China to replace the US in the region.
Hemmingway summed it up perfectly – The phrase “gradually, then suddenly” describes how financial ruin can occur, with initial setbacks being manageable followed by a rapid and overwhelming collapse.
The rest of the world, outside of the US is preparing for America’s downfall and collapse.
Trump deployed the Marines not to a foreign country but to the streets of Los Angeles, to quell “protests.” God, what bullshit.
I’ve often wondered if you’re a criminal organization that’s grossing hundreds of billions off of open borders (narcotics, human trafficking, ect) what is your budget for the cost of doing business?
How many media, law enforcement, judges, district attorneys, mayors, governors, presidents, supreme court justices, ect, ect are being paid off by the cartels?
How much are the cartels spending each year to grease those wheels?
What are those numbers?
The ICE raids in LA that set off the riots this month had nothing to do with immigration, ICE was serving a search warrant to 3 people under criminal investigation for money laundering.
LA went into instant riot and instant guerrilla warfare.
Rioters using hammers to shash up concrete to then throw at ICE vehicles.
There’s footage where CHP was stuck under and overpass, all of the CHP vehicles were thrashed with concrete projectiles and there’s a video of one CHP officer taking a direct hit to the head
Those CHP officers were stuck there for hours.
LAPD stood down.
Law enforcement is standing down and abandoning other law enforcement to the mob.
ANTIFA is a terrorist organization (I wonder who is fiancing them)
So God Bless The US Marines
Twentynine Palms
characterizing our president as someone who cannot distinguish attention from respect, as sort of summation of the parade fiasco , makes me still hopeful of the American people intelligence. Go for it, Scott
Dear Scott when I read this article and findings of Erica in her research ,I felt I am actually reading repeating of Historry of Mahtma Gandhi ‘s non violent movement with then indian industrialists’ support to a human cause with foresight and purpose .
It’s very interesting findings in your article which actually depicts what happened in freedom movement of our India during 1900 to 1947 .
Learning History of various countries is becoming REALLY IMPORTANT as important your statement ” Non violent movement ” success rate in protests of people proved more successful .
Thanks for sharing wisdom to masses .
Nandkishor
I’m pretty disappointed with the article. I wish you would view events more objectively, rather than trying to impose your emotional perspective on us. Greetings from Europe.
Scott for President! I hope you are correct. We have raised our hopes for turning the corner on the path to authoritarianism too many times.
Meaning turning away from the path to authoritarianism. I hope we can do that.
Heh heh. So much fun to read the comments from the MAGA trolls here.
Those dogs got hit big time last Saturday, and they’re hollering.
nice
A peaceful protest movement?
Well yeah, if you don’t count all the cases where cars were running through people in the street or the guy that was murdered by the No Kings security in Utah
A fatal shooting occurred during the rally in Pioneer Park. A volunteer peacekeeper fired three shots at Arturo Gamboa, who had brandished an AR‑15‑style rifle. Gamboa was wounded, but tragically, bystander Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was also struck and later died
So No Kings security sees a guy with a firearm and decides to just open fire on him?
Was there any effort made to de-escalate or instruct him to put the weapon down or did security just open fire into a crowd?
Think about this for a moment.
This event was massively hyped by the media, CBS news was even promoting the No King merch page on Amazon.
Massive advertising and massive hype.
Who was throwing this event?
Who takes liability for it?
No Kings security straight up murdered an innocent bystander.
People need to go to prison and lots of people need to get sued.
Imagine if there was a big free Grateful Dead concert in Golden Gate Park that was being advertised.all over the place
Rachel Maddow is hyping the free concert on her show
CBS News is even plugging the Amazon merch page on the news.
You go to the big free Grateful Dead concert in Golden Gate Park and one of The Grateful Dead’s security guards decides to open fire on a crowd in a reckless and dangerous manner and you, an innocent bystander, are shot and killed.
In this scenario, my family is going to sue:
The Grateful Dead
Golden Gate Park
Rachel Maddow
CBS News
Amazon
Ect, ect, ect.
It will be interesting to see who gets sued over No Kings security killing an innocent bystander and what discovery will tell us.
I’ll be interested to see who goes to jail for attacking the capital, killing cops, and trying to overturn a free and fair 2020 election.
Oh wait, they all got pardoned.
Who planted all those pipe bombs at J6?
How many FBI agents were undercover at J6?
Whatever happened to the guy who planted the pipe bombs at J6?
That’s your litmus? How excruciatingly lame. But I guess it just confirms “monkey see, monkey do”.
It might be instructive, Scott, if you had a few guests who could describe how these protests might evolve to become more effective. Along with Snyder, Applebaum and Ben-Ghiat might have some insights.
Wow. 250 years of protection and we can’t honor their service without it becoming political. That’s sad. Regardless of how ones feel for Trump, let’s respect and honor the military who allows you Scott to write this piece. Slide into autocracy, no, simple honor to our finest men and women who protect our democracy and died to protect our democracy. Thank you for your service!!! God bless you and your family.
Under another President, we the taxpayers would not have forced to pay $45 million. Under another President, it would have been just a comemoration, procession and presentation marking the Army’s 250th birthday. Instead, Trump hijacked this anniversary and turned it into a birthday party for himself while he cosplayed dictator.
In short, Trump STOLE the Army’s 250th anniversary for his own ego; the 5 million-plus No Kings protestors throughout the US honored Flag Day and stole it right back.
good point,my wife had the same one
Thank you Scott for your incite as always. Tesla has also lost money because let’s face it the Democrats were the ones buying his all electric cars because they are the ones that care about the environment. They are not buying Tesla anymore, now trading in their cars, and dropping the stock investments. Of course, the heavy Tariffs on China imports, where Tesla car parts are manufactured, isn’t helping. there is no disrespect of the celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday. It all started with Trump celebrating his birthday, then deferred it to the Army celebration so that he wouldn’t look the egotistic, self promoting “it’s all about me” person that he is. Trump is into attention for himself and power. Most of his comments are noon-sensical and bombastic and shamefully embarrassing. He and his ICE Brown Shirts are part of the trend to Fascism…Can’t you hear the boots stomping on the streets of America? God help us!
“Democrats were the ones buying his all electric cars because they are the ones that care about the environment”
Democrats vandalising other Democrats cars because Democrats told them to do so.
Democrats that care about the environment setting electric cars on fire because Democrats told them too.
Democrats like to think of themselves as morally superior but really they’re just gullible, mentally ill fools that go along with the herd.
Fools that don’t stand for something and will fall for anything.
The same people that lecture you about the environment one moment will go set your electric car on fire the next moment.
You think democrats convinced people to torch cars? The same ones owned by democrats? That’s logic almost solely reserved for the people who rely on SS and Medicare voting for Trump. In any political party there will be wingnut assholes, kind of like that maniac Trumper who killed a MN representative and her husband. What’s worse, torching a car or killing someone? Grow a brain.
Combating Fascism by telling others what brand of cars they can or cannot buy – you can’t make this stuff up. Who was it that said “accuse your enemy of what you are doing”?
check your spelling please
Hm…
Thank you for your timely comments! I participated with my son and several thousand individuals at a “No Kings” protest in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 14th. Power to the people, right on! (…and I’m a 73-year-old white guy!)
Hope you don’t live til 74.
Keeping it classy… dude, you couldn’t hit water if you fell out of a boat…
The minority on the both the far left and far right get all the attention as they speak the loudest; the majority in the middle don’t get representation. Media goes the same way, it is suppose to be news, not opinions of the far right or far left. 3rd party of reasonable citizens would be best.
What is missing is the point that as long as the Democrats are led by a geriatric club who does not have the courage to introduce a new generation of reasonable leaders the king can continue with his nonsense.
No absolution for the Republicans. They have lost certain body parts, spine, brain and … If they found them it could make all the difference.
The last great peaceful protest against political kings occurred on 05 NOV 2024. 77M+ voted for the winner.
Not crushing “protestors”, only rioters. Get your words right. And, king, really? none of the past “kings” have ever been so transparent and the idea of a king is nonsense.
Quit trying to lie your way to followers. The violence you seem to condone is on you A hole
Stay sleeping in your arrogance, ignorance, and complacency, Ned. Oh, and calling people names is saying something about yourself.
“The taking of offense rests in the bosom of the stupid one”. (From the book of Ecclesiastes) I love it when morons advertise their stupidity to the world. Such a lack of self awareness
Wow, the No King crazies were out. SEIU union and ACLU, no bias there. Paid and bought for by envy ridden billionaires like Walton and Singham, maybe an Oprah and Streisand too. Most Americans like a secure border, an attempt at rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, energy independence and a non-nuclear Iran. You may not like him, but elections have consequences and he is your President, not a King, for 3 1/2 more years, get over it.
Unfortunately, your president doesn’t know how to speak or act in a presidential manner. He’s simply a yahoo who tries to prove that he’s a MAGAT by wearing a MAGA hat and spewing ridiculous verbiage that shows him as a classless ignoramus with nary a vision for your country. When he showed up for the G7 this year, most of those in attendance were quite happy that he left after the official dinner of the first day’s meeting. He fell asleep, multiple times during the Monday session and didn’t bring one iota of pertinent comments to the deliberations. I personally hope that he’ll not show up at all at future meetings as he brings nothing new to the table.
PART 2 – Trump has joined forces with the American Jewish community and not for votes for as we all know the Jews are a minority. Rather Trump has chosen the high road of enforcing Title 6 and demanding any university receiving federal money to put a stop to campus protests that incite violence against Jews and present barriers of access to educational facilities and programs. With regards to Trumps military parade I find it appalling that the left has no reverence for the military, its accomplishments or its history. Trump has never advocated for war, instead he advocates for peace. Biden and Obama and Clinton engaged in multiple wars that ended catastrophically losing lives, assets and reputation of the USA. I think Scott Galloway needs to reassess Trumps intentions and reevaluate the insidious and hateful socialistic, communist and marxist motivations, actions and agendas of the current Democratic Party.
George Floyd
Trump no different from Putin.
I support many of his objectives, I detest his methods.
Better than Harris for sure. But taunting his own legacy.
Steve Miller must ho.
How appalling to say that the “left” do not support the military. The “left” is as much a proponent of ridding fraud, waste, and abuse. At least the last two and possibly all three certainly apply to an oversized parade to honor the self-perceived king.
Wars started by the Democrats, you say, Edward? If my memory serves me right, I believe Bush led us into the last bogus war in Iraq, which eventually drove the country into the “Great Recession.” Oh, and Obama and Biden saved the U.S. economy during their time as President and Vice President. Please get your facts straight before you start spewing your MAGA party line lies!
Last time I checked, both times Ukraine were invaded were under Obama and Biden’s watch, respectively. Please get your facts straight before posting misinformation.
Bush didn’t cause the great recession – the unregulated banking practices and wall street caused the great recession – oh! and Clinton was the President that signed the Banking De-Regulation Law … so Thank You Bill
And yet, Trump hasn’t been able to deliver on his premise of ending that conflict in day one in office….but at least he just bombed Iran, right?
Progressive here. Went straight from the No Kings protest to the parade. It’s our military too and refuse to be intimidated to walk the streets of our city.
The contrast was striking. From a joyful celebration of our core values as Americans to a subdued wha wha produced event wilted by the DC heat.
What was striking and offensive was the amount of fencing and security brought in for this event especially in contrast to January 6th. The Big Tech oligarchs and Corporate America have lost sight of what is in their interests supporting this stain on our democracy. Sell the S&P! Sell, sell, sell!
PART 1 – I find it fascinating how much effort you place on bashing Trump and entirely negating the atrocious and embarrassing performance of former President Biden. While Trump comes to his second term with controversies he also is quite a different person than in his first term. Trump has delivered on his promises and pushed his agenda of “peace through strength” especially as it relates to supporting Israel. As a Jewish American I was appalled at the entire lack of support for the Jewish Americans by the Democratic Party. The University shit shows supporting Antisemitism was the last straw for me supporting the Democrats. The Leftist Loony Liberals were ENTIRELY out of touch on the subject of Israel, Gaza, Iran and the Middle East altogether.
Wait! Which war did Trump end? He is responsible for the Israel-Iran war. He has done nothing for the Ukraine or Gaza. And while he takes credit for the cease fire in Kashmir, that’s probably an exaggeration at best.
Since the US has had essentially a non compos mentis President for the last few years with basic decisions made by a cabal of unelected activists Scott views an energetic executive trying to enforce standing immigration law as evidence of impending autocracy. Meanwhile he espouses a grassroots protest organized by Christy Walton and Neville Singham. A real autocrat wouldn’t be restrained by unconstitutional nationwide injunctions by activist federal judges.
Well said!
So throwing a parade is “another sign of a country descending into kleptocracy and fascism”? I’m not even going to bother taking that infantile bloviation apart.
Scott was so much more interesting when his remit was to take apart nutty businesses (the WeWork posts were fabulous). He’s devolved into penning these sullen rants that not only make no sense but are also uninteresting. And sullen, uninteresting rich guys are the most boring people on earth.
And yet U read it so what does that make U?
Scott seems to have evolved from Professor to Politico Talking Head … Scott was at his best in identifying business fallacies and hubris. The USA has laws regarding immigration, citizenship and how and who enforces them. Trump is the furthest from a dictator, king or authoritarian. Rather, the Democrats are using a bizarre arrangement of federal judges to stop or slow the execution and enforcement of established laws with a circus of politically aligned federa-l circuit judges to upend enforcement. Scott needs dissect his political beliefs and support the values of legal immigration that each & every country establishes to enrich and protect their citizens with.
It’s unsettling how much of today’s political theater in America feels borrowed from autocratic playbooks. What’s striking is how much of it lands because of the way the American democracy has been hollowed out over the years. The question is what can we do in this situation, how to stop democratically-elected heads of state who are using democratic tools to amass absolute power. Would love to hear you ideas for the ways you think ordinary citizens, both Dems and Republicans, could help to get us out of this mess, Prof G., other than staging non-violent protests.
Mike,
Let me tell you what I (a 73-year-old white patriotic American) am doing. First, I am contributing to organizations I believe are furthering the cause of freedom and democracy. Next, I am contacting my local, state, and national representatives to let them know my position on legislation that is coming up for a vote ( I live in Florida, a red state). Finally, I participate in events in which I am physically able. Case in point: Last weekend, my son and I participated in the “No Kings” protest, along with thousands of other individuals in Jacksonville, Florida. I believe that if you are going to utilize your First Amendment rights to “spout off” about an issue, you have a responsibility to take some kind of action to help rectify the issue. Some of us have the funds and can contribute to causes. Some of us have the time and talent to get directly involved… but, above all, do something!
“The marches proved Trump may be able to rent tanks, but he can’t buy legitimacy. In sum, America showed up.” Great summary. But this can’t be a one-off. America has to keep showing up. All of America. If we lose rule of law, freedom of speech and assembly, it won’t just be Democrats who suffer. Everyone will suffer. And not just politically, but economically.
“The event had the cool factor of your drunk uncle showing off his karate moves at Thanksgiving. The chihuahua barking at his own reflection.” F#%ing hilarious! Does SG come up with these??
Those so bothered that Scott’s politics don’t align with yours have clearly missed the point here! This isn’t about partisanship… Scott isn’t talking Republicans vs Democrats. He’s talking PEOPLE vs POLITICIANS! He’s saying this is OUR country, let’s come together – peacefully – and work to assure it a better, brighter future. Everyone! Businesses! Join in! Another great post. Thanks, Scott. Always appreciate you speaking out for what’s right, and for doing it so well.
Yes- we the citizens will keep up our spirit to fight for our democratic rights as spelled out in the constitution. Big biz and CEO’s must also flex muscle and grow bigger balls too! Kudos to LA Dodgers for not granting the admins permission to put face masks on and disrupt!! Ok press, law firms and schools – time to locate your balls as well!!!!
The false equivalency between Democrats and Republicans is so lazy and counter productive. Saying, in the spirit of being impartial, that Republicans are selfish at the expense of the majority of the country and the Democrats are driven by altruism but just not very good at it – and that somehow makes them equally to blame for the problems the country is facing – is not insight. We don’t elect hyper-efficient people to the executive branch, we elect people that tell us what we want to hear. There is no better example of this than Trump…a guy who said “you can blame Democrats for all your problems, it’s not your fault.” That paved the way for the US to install their very own mini-Hitler, who now has the power of a king and can make brown people just disappear to please the people he is taking advantage of the most.
I don’t love Trump, but I far prefer him to these protesters who are espousing open borders, socialism (talk about tyranny!), support for Hamas, and generally a radical, extreme left agenda. But somehow you forgot to mention all that in this piece.
I went to multiple days of the protests here in LA and not once did I see a single person (out of ten of thousands) advocate for “open borders.” The driving forces behind “open borders” are the economics of industries that rely on migrant workers. This is why you saw Trump pull back on deportations for farm workers (who bring down the cost of food) and hospitality workers (whose cheap labor make Trump’s businesses more profitable). Trump is all for “open borders” as long as it makes him and his friend’s money. Now he just needs to show that he also will get rid of some of the brown people that Fox News has been scaring Boomers with for the past eight years.
You nailed it. Locking up and deporting “critical” farm, factory, and hospitality workers was bad for business and payrolls as well as supply. The idiot in charge, nor his mass of MAGA worshipers didn’t consider the consequence of that rhetoric and those actions as they unleashed an uncontrolled police force on the country.
Once again, your TDS is showing through. From the article: “Democracy is under siege and at risk of unraveling as the U.S. slides toward “competitive authoritarianism,” a system in which elections remain important, but the incumbents manipulate the rules, abuse their power, and tilt the playing field against their rivals.”
Funny how you did not complain when the Dems manipulated the voting rules before the 2020 election. Nor did you complain when Obama abused the IRS power to suppress GOP fund raising or when the Biden DOJ with various States used lawfare to attack Trump and even tried to keep him off the ballot! You also didn’t complain when the Leftist Intelligence Services & FBI along with Dem Congress with one hoax after another. Lastly, I don’t recall you complaining about the plainly biased Jan 6 committee persecuting the GOP and Trump then destroying the video testimony evidence.
So tell me now what Trump has done since being in office to manipulate the rules, abuse his power, or tilt the playing field against his political rivals? Note: Changes to climate change regulations and immigration enforcement are POLICY changes that he campaigned on as is the DOGE initiative. These are policy initiatives clearly stated during the campaign that the majority of voters approved in the election. As Obama famously stated: “Elections have consequences.”
Trump, via Stephen Miller, is kidnapping people off the streets and sending them away without any lawful process. This includes legal citizens. These untrained thugs show up and throw people into vans without even identifying themselves and they rarely have any law enforcement training. I know you don’t care because they don’t look like you but there’s nothing remotely legal, or constitutional or American about this.
no kings from the people who had a non-primary candidate thrust on them, fired people for not getting vaccinated, and arrested people surfing. Got it.
Touché – pretty much sums up Biden and the left
“The Democrats are more interested in grasping for social virtue than improving the material and emotional well-being of Americans. When your representatives won’t represent, you become your own delegation.” That is one solid and cogent observation, Professor! The opposition party does nothing and the courts are in the hands of the Republicans. Time for the people to express their displeasure and vote all the bums out of office.
Since both parties are under the influence of their patrons, perhaps it is time to form new party, the Constitution Party? Nothing says we, the people, must follow the diktats of the current sclerotic parties.
weird….scott is writing about Trump yet again.
As usual, his post is like a Democrat’s Echo chamber- No mention of how the media and 1 political party covered up the presidents decline for years. Try to make your posts balanced rather than propogating bilious hatred towards one party.
I wonder what social media would’ve looked like during Hitler’s time. I’m pretty sure there would’ve been people like you saying “nothing to see here” then as well.
Social media during Hitler’s time would look just like it does now in Iran: Internet access shut down and any dissenters are arrested and imprisoned after sham trial.
Biden censored social media. Do you see Trump doing any of that? ( Spoiler alert: the answer is ‘No’)
The only reason Trump hasn’t censored the media more than he already has is because he thrives on attention and he can’t get enough just from his loyalist networks. “Biden” had absolutely nothing to do with restricting hate speech and disinformation on social networks. But you must be happy that you are now freer to lie about anything than you ever have been before.
The source for your data is Tweets flung out by No Kings and other sympathetic leftist entities. Just use a bit of AI to research that info and that is what you get. Totally bogus.
As a veteran, celebrating the US Army that created the country and has underwritten world peace on multiple occasions, strikes a different chord with me than it would with someone who is a liberal lefty who has never served the country in any manner.
My family all served — my mother and father in WWII — and this recognition of the role our army played in the creation of our country is like any other founder story. Interesting AF!
The US was created by brave men wielding bloody bayonets against the most powerful and cruel King on the planet and his most powerful army and navy. Over 8 hard years, the rebels prevailed.
The triumph of arms against such an experienced and well equipped Brit army was nothing short of miraculous and worthy of a celebration 2 1/2 centuries later. The military genius of Washington’s conduct of the war and his zealous refusal to allow his army to engage in a decisive engagement was brilliant.
God bless the US Army and God bless America.
JLM
Bloomberg? G. Elliott Morris? Are these the “tweet” sources that you’re referring to?
If U think God blesses any nationalistic entity then u are delusional or your god is the devil
Big Ag and any food based business has alot to lose as they continue to pick off ag, protein packing, and.now vineyards. Let’s hope as you suggested someone in this realm speaks up.
You had me with the drunk uncle doing karate at Thanksgiving. NAILED IT
2017 Women’s March, when more than 4 million people showed up at demonstrations
But what lasting impact did this have
Thats the challenge
What did the Women’s March get ? Why the Biden admin let boys and men into girls restrooms, turned mediocre boy athletes into girls champions and only a few girls were hurt, physically. How many girls suffered emotional injury with a naked man in their locker room, bowled over by a trans rugby,soccer, volleyball player etc