The Renegade Rep: Battling Trumpism

What is the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the mental health of the United States? Brian Daitzman delves into the psychological bond between Trump and his followers, the mental health diagnoses among QAnon followers, the mental distress caused by Trump's policies, and the societal consequences of divisive politics.

Trump will be the next president, according to today's guest, if we do not learn the lessons of the past. On this episode Rick connects with author of the book "Blowback" and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, Miles Taylor. They dive into the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency, particularly focusing on the drastic changes he could impose on American democracy and government functionality. Taylor elaborates on his concerns about Trump's vindictive use of power, the politicization of civil services, and the shift in foreign policy towards autocratic regimes. The episode serves as a warning and a call to action, urging us to recognize and respond to the threats posed by a possible Trump re-election to our democracy.

The potential implications for individual Americans and the country of a 2nd Trump term are darker than you may imagine. Project 2025 is one such outcome. In this episode, Rick is joined by author Andra Watkins to discuss her Substack publication, "How Project 2025 Will Ruin Your Life." Watkins, a former Christian nationalist, dives into the details of Project 2025, a hypothetical policy proposal she believes could dramatically alter American society through strict, moralistic governance - morality police, anyone?

Joe and Alex discuss a bombshell New York Times piece from our friend Tom Edsall on just how deep the Trump dark money apparatus goes -- over 100 groups, $2 billion in funding... and very little of it out in the open. Why Project 2025 is a blueprint for turning America into a pro-Trump authoritarian state. What are we supposed to do about it? Then, Joe and Alex explain why right-wing pollsters have the media trapped in a false polling narrative -- why is the mainstream media so obsessed with pro-Trump polling?

Brian Daitzman writes, "Trump is infamous for his spontaneous outbursts of sensitive information. His reckless disclosure of classified intelligence to Russian officials in 2017 starkly highlighted his disregard for the protocols safeguarding national security secrets. This incident, among others, showcased a pattern of behavior that risked compromising the operational security of U.S. intelligence efforts and the lives of those involved."