All Sides with Anna Staver

Autocracy And President Trump

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President Donald Trump speaking to supporters in Circleville.
Nick Evans

This episode originally aired on Jan. 11, 2020.

Continuing his unfounded claim that the 2020 election was stolen, outgoing President Donald Trump last Wednesday incited a violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol.

A New York University history professor who studies autocratic rulers says the insurrection attempt and the fervent allegiance displayed by Trump’s followers are straight out of the authoritarian playbook.

Today on All Sides with Ann Fisher, we examine the history and psychology of leader-follower relationships and the chaos that can ensue when strongmen rulers lose power.

Guest:

  • Ruth Ben-Ghiat, professor of history at New York University and author of Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present

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