DMZ America Podcast Ep 199: “Is It Time To Leave the USA?”

Hosts Ted Rall and Scott Stantis dive into a heated question: Is the United States veering toward fascism under Donald Trump’s influence? They analyze recent political trends—Trump’s tightening grip on power, weakened democratic institutions, and polarizing rhetoric—debating whether these signal an authoritarian shift. The conversation then takes a dramatic turn: If fascism is emerging, is it time to leave the U.S.? To ground the discussion, they highlight high-profile Americans who have already fled, linking their departures to Trump’s impact.Yale philosophy professor Jason Stanley, a fascism expert, is leaving the U.S. for the University of Toronto in fall 2025, citing America’s authoritarian slide under Trump. Author of "How Fascism Works," he points to threats like Columbia University’s compliance with Trump’s demands as evidence. Stanley, who compares the U.S. to pre-WWII Germany, wants to protect his family and continue his work from Canada, sparking talk of a U.S. intellectual exodus.Former Gawker publisher Nick Denton also left, settling in Budapest and citing the U.S.’s authoritarian leanings as his motivation. Adding to the list, filmmaker Michael Moore relocated to Ireland, publicly stating that Trump’s policies and cultural influence made staying untenable. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk’s ex-partner, musician Grimes, departed for New Zealand, expressing unease with America’s political trajectory under Trump’s shadow. Even conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, despite his ideological differences, moved his family to Israel, hinting at discomfort with domestic unrest tied to Trump’s polarizing return.With their dynamic interplay of perspectives, Rall and Stantis probe whether these notable exits reflect a broader crisis, challenging listeners to consider: Should I stay or should I go?Support the showThe DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis. Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrallWeb: Rall.com