This is NOT going to end well- for ANYBODY.

This is very disturbing as to how it seems many have lost complete reason.

Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. Yet those who do study history are doomed to stand by helplessly while everyone else repeats it.

"To find the Tyrant simply see who you are not allowed to criticize."

Hate to break it to people, but America has been fascistic for decades, at least by original popular definition of "fascism". Corporate oligarchs have been controlling government policy since before WW2, and has only become more prevalent to the average person in recent years.

The mega corporations, corrupt government, and big bankers are the problem.

“In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.” ~Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Horatio Spofford, 1814

When fascism comes to America it will appear as a cross draped in a flag

If fascism is the merger of state and corporate interests the the FACT that almost all politicians act as lobbyists for corporations then yeah, fascism is a fact in modern culture.

We need to get money out of politics. Period! Nonstop!

Fight the good fight. No to fascism!!

“The snake” really is an excellent metaphor for Trump. “You knew what I was when you took me in”. Yes the Trump supporters know. They just don’t think the snake will bite them

Ignorance is the greatest threat to democracy!

No Christian preacher should preach fascism or greed or mistreatment of any group. That is far from Jesus’ words and actions.

I really appreciate Jeff Sharlet's putting the fascist underpinnings of American christian fundamentalism in the broader historical context. So much of our history has been interwoven with this mindset. "manifest destiny". Cognitive dissonance of the "believers" leaves a wide vacuum filled with disinformation, prejudices, fear and violence.

Greed is the father of all discrimination in every form You cannot lie your way to the truth You cannot steal your way to prosperity You cannot isolate your way to freedom You cannot kill your way to piece Fear of personal loss, is the mother of all fear

It is America's great sin that nearly half of all adults can barely read to the Grade 6 level. There is an old movement which encouraged learning how to read. Frontier College. Canada. Where each person who can read has the responsibility to teach one other person who needs to read. There is great opportunity to move America in a different direction.

I have often thought that if you disregard what Trump says, but listen to the rhythm and pauses, he sounds like a comedian delivering his lines. I think that is part of his appeal, his dark humor.

Hedges has long been top of my list of favorites

It was steered towards facism since 1949 plus the longer a country is at war the stronger facism becomes so....

It ain't what the president can do for the people it's what the president can do for the ruling class.

That's what's great about America; freedom of choice! We have so many varieties of fascism to choose from!

Fascism always uses societal decadence as a reason to go fascist yet the fascists are always the most decadent

Amazingly, Lindsey Graham is asserting that Trump's choices of words and phrases, such as "poisoning the blood of America," don't matter, that there's some underlying idea which is okay (like "we don't have sufficient control of our borders") and that's all that Trump's rhetoric conveys to people who understand him. That's a very dangerous notion, Lindsey.

Like war, fascism is downstream from greed. Thank you.

Deep State is a clearly defined term created by former Congress Staffer Mike Lofgren. It's not a cuckoo idea - Chalmers Johnson explains part of it in the Why We Fight documentary. Richard Hofstadter wrote a book in the early 1960s called "The Paranoid Style in American Politics". Very interesting guest and interview, Mr. Hedges!

Having read Sharlet's book, The Family, opened my eyes.

I can't find it. I think back in the '70's there was a movie made, based on a true story, of a teacher demonstrating to his students that even today people can be lured into fascism. I can't remember the name of the movie. It was very controversial. In the end the teacher showed this leader. It was a portrait of Hitler. The students were shocked and learned a valuable lesson. The teacher was getting flack and criticism from the school board and parents to stop doing this lesson. This teacher pleaded with the school board and parents for patience that he was trying to teach a lesson. It was an incredible movie.

"The Profits of Religion" by Upton Sinclair was written in 1917

As long as there are two sides to keep everyone divided, thats all that matters. The details that people dive so deeply into are meaningless. Must hate other side at all costs

33:59 ... I think there's a subconscious fear of - "they're gonna do it to us, because we did it to them" (or a more likely case now "because they've been taught that we did it to them").

We need REAL DEMOCRACY.

"Fascism's big lie is inevitability". Thanks. That's really useful. It reminds me of Thatcher preaching neoliberalism saying, "There is no alternative". There is and there was.

This is how fascists label others for persecution.

This is one of the best conversations I’ve listened to on psychology on Trumpism. I just watched someone else talk about why the Christians evangelicals support this turd of a man. I’ve read too much history to not take this very seriously. These same conversations were happening in Germany in early 1930’s.

If Trump gets in in 24/25, how do people fight fascism? Even during the month of police riots in Portland, Antifa was this small ragtag group of individuals who were more into self defense and defense of peaceful protestors than anything. And they closest they came to violence during those police riots and the protests that each preceded each of them was vandalism and setting street fires. Yet law enforcement came down on them and the protestors HARD. At least in the Weimar Republic there were swarms of leftist, antifascist street fighters who were the equal of the brownshirts. Yet after Hitler gained power all but the Nazis were purged and the rest was history. So are people here are just going to sit around and let the Nat-C's round everyone up that they don't like???

This is sickening like the rest of the corruption.

Fascism is a political ideology that emerged in the early 20th century and is characterized by dictatorial power, extreme nationalism, suppression of political dissent, and strong control over the economy and society. Fascist regimes often promote authoritarian leadership, a single-party system, and the glorification of the nation or race. It's important to note that fascism is widely considered to be an oppressive and dangerous ideology due to its disregard for human rights, its tendency toward violence and aggression, and its promotion of discrimination and exclusion. Fascist regimes in the past, such as those led by Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy, have caused immense suffering and devastation. It is crucial to remain vigilant and protect the values of democracy, equality, and individual freedoms to prevent the rise of fascism or any other authoritarian ideology.

That was an excellent conversation. Thank you for that.

Thank you Chris for your work!

When he thought people were out to get him it seem he was right.

"I am being indicted for you," said Pastor Donald. Like a messiah. And the soothing church music plays in the background.

As non American this was very enlightening. Especialy when Jeff Sharlet connected it with the charismatic white rightwing preacher, it makes perfect sociological sense.

It's utterly amazing how explicit Jesus was about money and yet how preachers turn this on its head. It is the most prevalent and unequivocal teaching in the New Testament. Big books that people don't read are a very dangerous thing.

Even educated people struggle to realize what the word "fascism" means

NOW in March 2024, hes using his new term "Migrant Crime" to imply that this is a huge wave coming to "your" home town.

Been a while since I stepped into the bubble. Things haven't changed. 2017 and 2023 appear the same.

The "Snake" was NOT about immigrants. It was a blunt reference to Hillary Clinton. I was there when he used it.

It’s fascinating that he told them that he would manipulate them and their ignorance and they willingly bend to him

Both of these authors / journalists have helped me see and understand our country. Thank you for this great conversation.

Lack of quality education, ignorance and despair in difficult times are what is turning America into such a cesspool.

"THE TYRANNY OF IRONY" the title of my book describing my 40 years continuously striving towards, yet stepping on rakes in my futile pursuit of truth. the current admin grossly abused its power by continuing the program Julian Assange and Snowden warned about and these two are happy to continue that framework without seeing, that's actually fascism in practice. When it goes how you want it to, no problem. Honestly, the truth has slowly become a moving target on the left and i find it harder and harder to agree with the cause, despite not being religious and a lifelong fan of science. Politics is a cesspool and those that take sides are playing the game "they" want to be played. We are monkeys with cash and the coffers flow when divided, and make no mistake, thats two capitalists right there on camera. Luxuriating in their own hypocrisy.

.. our ANEMIC democracy? I’d say that description borders on the verge of being an understatement.. 😂

Democracy relies on large groups,I favor being an individual separate from the herd.😊

America is done! We've seen that coming for the last several years, but now it's a lot closer than most people realize. It ain't going to be a fun time in America any more.

The road to a fascist state is lined with people telling us to get a grip.

I am 73 now, raised in the military and there have always in my life been threats to our safety and democracy.

How do these extremists differ from the Taliban?

What everyone doesn't talk about is the outside reaction if they USA becomes a fascist state. They Europeans would panic and watch very closely, because they know what will happen. I don't think that the Europeans would be able to avoid getting involved . But it's hypothetical and hopefully they USA doesn't go down that path that they World has seen already.

The level of insanity in this video is simply astounding. It’s like a parallel universe.

Frank Zappa predicted this.

Powerful interview. 😍✌🏾️ I knew the lazy journalists were not covering those rallies properly. This is why we're on this UKposts channel. Carter G. Woodson wrote a powerful book titled, The Miseducation of the Negro. Perhaps Mr. Sharlet should write a book on the Miseducation of the Caucasian. This interview draws on parallels from this interview about his book. It's the indoctrination versus education scenario. Indoctrination is the cause of so much of what is happening, has happened, and will happen in the United States. This anti-education of American history is dismantling the goals of why those European left the Aristocracy. They didn't want to a ruler. I could go on for days. There is infinite potential for goodness here in U.S. as it relates to democracy, but the citizens can't see the forest for the trees. If Americans don't get it together, tyranny is the result. 😔

Never trust a preacher that tells you how to vote and never trust a politician that tells you how to pray.

We are living in very "dangerous times"......and we need more "grown ups" in charge.....before things gets truly out of hand.

Joking/not joking is a classic passive aggressive tactic.

Chris Hedges' interview of Jeff Sharlet gave me powerfully fresh insight into the evolution of Trump's success with the Christian far right using his one talent, cultivating an adoring audience, through the sequence of Prosperity Gospel> Gnostic Gospel> and for the 2024 campaign: Age of Martyrs. Political theater is powerful.

Wow.. this guy has the clearest insights into maga out of any other talking head/academic/analyst I've ever heard/seen anywhere.. suddenly, it all makes perfect sense.. Fascinating..

It's easy to see Trump doing all these things but it's impossible to not notice both parties doing the same thing.

My parents used to say, "Remember, when you point your finger in accusation you have three fingers pointing back at yourself."

An example of a modern civil war is "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland.

Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

Absolutely correct about global fascism. What's missing in the discussion completely is the role of corporatism and the concentration of wealth. TOTALLY missing the economic control issues!

"There is no final victory, we have to keep fighting the same battles over and over again". Tony Benn.

It's good to hear someone acknowledge that our democracy is "anemic." Good to hear someone who's clearheaded, not blind to what's going on around them.

At 68 I have become a News junkie meaning that I keep listening to the same thing nevertheless this was beyond intelligent beyond deep thoughtful wise substance so kudos to both of you and I do like the fact I'm sorry I just don't remember names but with all of the intellectually fact checkable of history upon history upon history I still love the fact that this man you could see was vacillating like things could get bad but I don't think it's going to get that bad and this man and of course yourself are surely realist realist on steroids so there was no polyuric you know let's just have a hopeful happy all the way ending I guess the reality at age 40 I probably would have spotted what I would have sprouted I would have spouted what I believed at age 40 was absolute truth absolute truth absolute truth at 68 I don't believe there is such there is no absolute truth and I think both of you get that and I think you understand that you just don't know how the truth will conflict and collide but man wants to survive and it's astounding that we run to kill each other for some cause yet we wish we could be peaceful and not have to fight either way what a great podcast what a great podcast

Everyone must realize that his verbal commitment will get someone seriously injured or killed if this allowed to continue! The courts must address this issue before something very serious happens not after! This must be addressed ASAP!

He told rich people he was going to give them another tax break and use the poor to achieve that goal

Wow! This has been very eye opening for me. I hear the word fascism associated with Trump, but I didn’t realize how insidiously he’s indoctrinating his followers and just how twisted his thinking is! Thank you for an amazing education this morning!

Believe it or not, the seeds of american fascism started in 1492, aka "Inter Caetera."

"Never fight until you have to. But when it's time to fight, you fight like you're the third monkey on the ramp to Noah's Ark… and brother, it's startin' to rain."

If society was fair equitable and actually democratic there would no such thing as Trump.

The Robeson incident occurred in Cortlandt N.Y. ,contiguous with Peekskill,not in Peekskill where Robeson was to later scheduled to preform at the Paramount theater.The actual site was at Hollow brook,where later there was a Drive in Cinema.

I really disagree with many of the criticisms below. However, I don't think their depth of analysis is going to catch on in prime time TV any time soon ! The more worried, stressed and financially insecure people are, the more they welcome a saviour. Especially if you can 'contain' , i.e. simplify, the idea of what the threat is. Immigrants / Jews / "Liberals🤣" etc.etc. People can unite against this perceived threat, finding both their 'tribe' and their Saviour. The persecuted saviour, Trump, gives folk permission to be the worst version of themselves in survival.

When examining the global landscape and the ominous rise of totalitarianism in various nations, whether they be classified as first or fifth world, it is striking to note the unsettling parallels. One of the most disconcerting trends is the deliberate use of incendiary rhetoric, fostering division and animosity among citizens. In some instances, this rhetoric targets wealthy individuals, portraying them as malevolent figures, or labels progress itself as the adversary. Totalitarian leaders often employ this divisive language to obscure their own authoritarian agendas, cynically accusing their political opponents of harboring such intentions. Furthermore, these totalitarian regimes often display a flagrant disregard for the rule of law, sometimes even mocking it openly. This attitude sends a dangerous message to their followers, effectively granting them a blank check to flout established rules and norms at their own discretion. This erosion of respect for the law not only undermines the foundations of a just society but also contributes to an environment where individuals may act with impunity, further deepening the crisis. Another distressing characteristic is blatant hypocrisy and deception, regardless of the undeniable evidence before our eyes. Totalitarian regimes frequently compel individuals,who once believed in the promise of positive change within the system, to (leave) public service, after witnessing firsthand the underlying totalitarian ambitions of sub-leaders within the government. These regimes often resort to denigrating and vilifying those who dare to criticize their authority, disregarding moral values, and resorting to name-calling and character denigration. The casual manipulation of facts during public speeches further erodes trust in information dissemination. Another alarming facet is the systematic demonization of media outlets that dare to scrutinize their leadership, effectively silencing dissenting voices and fueling hatred within the leader's followers. Simultaneously, there is a propensity to idealize and establish alliances, whether political or not, with foreign totalitarian regimes, thus undermining the principles of democracy and human rights. The scourge of corruption within these regimes is particularly brazen and unapologetic. Anyone who exposes or opposes this corruption is often labeled an enemy of the people. Equally concerning is the deliberate manipulation of constitutional reforms to perpetuate the leader's political ideology, effectively subverting democratic principles. History has shown that these patterns tend to repeat themselves. It is our responsibility to educate those unfamiliar with totalitarianism, its manifestations, and the intricacies of global politics in a clear and unambiguous manner. Failure to do so may lead us down the same dark path as countries that never believed such a fate could befall them. Vigilance, awareness, and informed citizenship are essential safeguards against the encroachment of totalitarianism on our democratic values and institutions; be active, be proactive, don’t take things for granted. It can happen, we are not immune to this reality.

My first time watching one of your discussions. Very calm, level-headed, and informative. Now a subscriber.

I don't think people that are not Trump supporters but are on the fence about whether or not to vote for him understand the spirit that energizes his movement. 💀

Why is it that no one seems to glorify honest conciliatory effort, or real diplomacy?

Lovely little dialectic going on here: "Accuse your opponent of what you are doing, to create confusion....."

This makes so much sense on how he is doing this!

This whole maga movement sickens me. If anyone of us did and acted as Trump we would have been behind bars long ao.

We true christians love everybody we are not money lovers we are pacific, humble, meek.

There is in place an American Stasi, the Patriot Act opened the door for such an organization. It is modeled after the East German Stasi and there is no problem finding recruits. A democracy would find little use for such, however an authoritarian regime would find it invaluable for containment and control. There is the added effect of the shredding of trust that helps to break down society. It is in place and has been for some time. 24/7 internet and phone.

Love Jeff S’s writing. Listened to his earlier book about the secret Christian Right group influencers in DC and found it fascinating. Same with this! Thanks for the great video full of intriguing information.

A Constitutional convention is needed. 1. All political campaigns shall be exclusively and entirely funded by the public monies. Any and all private and institutional contributions to political campaigns or PACS are prohibited. 2. The presidential election shall be decided by the total votes of the national electorate, with no exception. The popular vote of the entire nation will determine the winner. States will conduct their own elections, and they will report their total numbers that will be tallied up as a single number for the nation as a single entity. 3. All districts both federal and state must be drawn by independent commissions without partisan favor. 4. The House of Representatives will maintain districts with no more than 500K constituents.

A great discourse on how the manipulation is being methodically diffused.

You don't turn a nation fascist, you simply unleash, facilitate and legitimise existing fascists.

That description of The Call, The Snake and The bullet as being the substance was eye-opening for me. MAGA are so willing to be duped by this grifter as long as it feeds their feelings of anger and resentment.

Corporatism in fascism doesn’t refer to private corporations but state corporations or bodies which are unions of employers, employees and state managers. In fascism the state is above economics and private interests is below the national interest.

Trump learned a lot about theater and how to unleash underlying emotions from WWE. He felt the thrill, and saw how people responded to him.

Absolutely amazing how the actual fascist will call the side who is for freedom, a bunch of fascists. It just goes to show that this book and video only exists to talk to the side who is ignorant of the facts.