"Donald Trump's Lickspittle" with Ian Haney López

Ian Haney López has a warning for America. The renowned law professor and author of MERGE LEFT wrote the definitive book on DOG WHISTLE POLITICS, revealing how powerful elites escalate convenient divisions to conquer America's working class. His work has inspired the race-class narrative used in Minnesota to thwart Trumpism. Yet he fears America may be on the verge of becoming a frog boiled by strategic racism. The barely veiled racism of JD Vance and the carnival barker eugenics of Donald Trump continue to escalate. The lack of widespread scorn from the American public for Trump and Vance's despicable rhetoric and ridiculous plan for mass deportations beyond anything seen in modern history shows that eight years have worn away our ability or—perhaps—willingness to fight back. Haney López offers an incredibly terrifying take on JD Vance–who he calls Donald Trump's lickspittle and hopes that's taken in the most offensive way possible. In Vance, he sees a purveyor of fascist domination that would destroy all of America's best aspirations.  But he does have ideas for how you call out the deceit, division, and demagoguery Trump and Vance are using to try to turn democracy against itself. He also has a powerful message for America about what we must do if we manage to defeat Donald Trump again. Catch up on all the episodes of "How are you feeling about democracy?" here. If you want to support this podcast, please join us here at the earlyworm society – free or paid; your support matters.