Trump allies seize RNC as critics slam new co-chair Laura Trump's inexperience

America tolerated serious political and social problems before the coronavirus pandemic—but now they’re too dire to ignore. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, it exposed weaknesses and all-out failures in the American government, political system, economy, and society.

Under normal circumstances, the country managed to get by in spite of these issues. However, the pressure of the pandemic made the problems too dire to ignore.

In Confidence Man, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman explores the remarkable public life and career of real estate developer, reality TV star, and former President of the United States Donald Trump.

Haberman's book explores the people, experiences, and environments that shaped the singular personality that would define his presidency, focusing on his prowess as a consummate showman and salesman and his deep-seated desires for fame, attention, dominance, power, and leverage over others.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• Trump’s career as a real estate developer and public symbol of capitalist success
• His second act as a right-wing firebrand and promoter of conspiracy theories
• His victory in the 2016 presidential election
• His presidency and attempts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election

Throughout this guide, we’ll supplement Haberman’s account with commentary from outside sources to both support her critical portrayal of Trump’s life and career, as well as to bring in perspectives that offer a more favorable view of the 45th president.

The election of Donald Trump has sparked a great deal of discussion about the fate of American democracy. How Democracies Die explores some key questions that have become paramount in the Trump era. Does the election of a figure like Trump—an inexperienced outsider with obvious authoritarian instincts—suggest that democracy in the US is backsliding? Are we doomed to suffer the fate of other 21st-century democracies, like Hungary, Venezuela, and Turkey, where true democracy ceased to exist? By what processes was democracy killed in those and other countries—and how might we prevent it here?

Dive into the inner workings of the GOP as Ben Shapiro hosts a compelling lineup of conservative voices, including Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, in "The Ben Shapiro Show." This episode delves deep into the aftershocks of Donald Trump's tenure, exploring the indelible mark he has left on the party, and the finesse with which rising Republican figures navigate their association with his contentious legacy. Shapiro's acute insights dissect the strategic positioning and policy orientations of the candidates, setting the stage for a robust debate that encapsulates the party's ongoing introspective battle.

Witness firsthand the eclectic mix of analysis, ranging from the vital ideological facets shaping current Republican thought to the nuanced discussions on domestic and international policy issues. The show casts a critical eye over media influence and academic responses to divisive issues, presenting a holistic examination of contemporary conservative politics. All the while, Shapiro interweaves this complex narrative with strategic promotions, ensuring an engaging and informative experience for his audience that transcends political commentary and taps into the broader scope of conservative lifestyle and entertainment.

Have you noticed a shift in American politics throughout your lifetime? Over the past four decades, ideas like libertarianism and free market capitalism have gone from fringe beliefs held mostly by the elite to ideas with significant popular support and impact on our political sphere. In Dark Money, award-winning journalist and author Jane Mayer explores how a small group of extremely wealthy individuals, led largely by Charles and David Koch, have effectively legitimized far-right beliefs in America using their massive wealth.

In our guide, we’ll look at how the Kochs developed their political beliefs, the tactics they used to create their political movement, and how those tactics have affected American society and politics over recent decades. We’ll also examine the historical, social, and political contexts of the book’s events and how they have impacted society today.

In Confidence Man, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman explores the remarkable public life and career of real estate developer, reality TV star, and former President of the United States Donald Trump.

Haberman's book explores the people, experiences, and environments that shaped the singular personality that would define his presidency, focusing on his prowess as a consummate showman and salesman and his deep-seated desires for fame, attention, dominance, power, and leverage over others.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• Trump’s career as a real estate developer and public symbol of capitalist success
• His second act as a right-wing firebrand and promoter of conspiracy theories
• His victory in the 2016 presidential election
• His presidency and attempts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election

Throughout this guide, we’ll supplement Haberman’s account with commentary from outside sources to both support her critical portrayal of Trump’s life and career, as well as to bring in perspectives that offer a more favorable view of the 45th president.

The US House of Representatives recently voted to ban TikTok unless its parent company, Chinese-owned ByteDance, sells its stake in the app. The House cited concerns about China’s access to Americans’ data and its potential to use the app to spread misinformation. A forced sale of TikTok, while plausible, appears unlikely due to major hurdles ranging from a lack of viable buyers among big tech companies to potential opposition from ByteDance and the Chinese government.

In recent months, the White House, Congress, US armed forces, and more than half of US states have banned the Chinese-owned social media app, TikTok, from government-issued devices. There’s broad concern that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could share Americans’ personal data with the Chinese government, or push Chinese propaganda and misinformation. Some experts say the US should treat TikTok the way it wants other countries to treat American social media platforms—and use moderate measures to protect national security and citizens’ personal data. But Congress may not heed this advice.

In a vital update from NPR News Now, correspondents including Korva Coleman, Eleanor Beardsley, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Bobby Allyn take us through the latest on global and domestic fronts. The battle for peace in the Middle East hits yet another snag, as Korva Coleman delivers a succinct breakdown of the collapsed cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, including the heavy implications and the subsequent surge in hostilities that have disrupted the region's pursuit of tranquility. Eleanor Beardsley delves into the nuances behind the allegations from Israel's Prime Minister's office, while grappling with the sobering reality of increasing casualties in Gaza.

On U.S. soil, Coleman brings the spotlight back home with the account of a tragic shooting of college students in Burlington, shedding light on the victims' Palestinian heritage and underlining the breached sense of security in academic institutions. The episode also covers the involvement of the FBI in a possible hate crime investigation, signifying a rise in concerns about gun violence and its underlying motives. Meanwhile, political ethics take center stage as the case of Congressman George Santos unfolds, examining the balance between allegations of federal corruption and the legal processes within the House of Representatives. Finally, Bobby Allyn explores free speech debates, centering on Montana's legal skirmishes over TikTok bans and data security, which paints a broader picture of the digital landscape and its regulatory challenges. Each segment underscores NPR News Now's commitment to delivering comprehensive, on-the-ground reporting.

Paul Farmer has worked for decades to provide health care to patients in Haiti and around the world. A doctor and anthropologist by training, Farmer saw the health of a nation’s people as a product of its culture and political history. For Haiti, centuries of political strife—often at the hands of imperialist powers—had left it one of the most impoverished countries in the western hemisphere.

Despite prevailing wisdom that it was too costly to treat patients in poor countries for diseases like drug-resistant tuberculosis and AIDS, Farmer strived to treat everyone who needed care. His multi-pronged approach included prioritizing preventive services, changing international healthcare policy, and lowering the cost of important drugs. His organization’s approach is considered a model for providing treatment to patients in poor countries.

Dive deep into the corridors of history with "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," where Rachel Maddow and a team of speakers broaden the narrative of the civil rights movement, particularly the indomitable spirit of the Freedom Riders. In the episode "Taken for a Ride," Herbert Kaplow of NBC News recounts the chilling violence faced by media attempting to document these activists, who daringly confronted the bigotry rooted in the South's bus terminals. Listeners will catch a glimpse of what it truly meant to challenge not only segregation laws but also the social norms that bolstered racial hierarchy, as examined by Isaac-Davy Aronson and Kellie Carter Jackson.

Amidst the retelling of historical activism, Maddow seamlessly connects the deceptions of the past to present-day political strategies, drawing stark comparisons to the controversial moves by Governor Ron DeSantis. The episode sheds light on the enduring manipulation within politics, while also honoring the altruistic responses from communities faced with the consequences of these schemes. As the conversation travels from the civil rights era to our current times, with insights from Gabrielle Emanuel and Sherrilyn Ifill, "Taken for a Ride" serves as a sobering reminder of the media's power and the continuous evolution of societal norms and political decency.

Dive into the stark realities that shape our world with NPR News Now, as leading voices like Korva Coleman and Marwan Abu Sada provide critical insight into the unfolding health crisis in Gaza, the nuanced political landscape of the United States, and the shifting dynamics of the presidential race. This episode sheds light on the grim situation patients face at Gaza's largest hospitals, with a focus on how power shortages have turned deadly, particularly for newborns reliant on life-support amidst Israeli and Hamas clashes.

On the domestic front, NPR News Now navigates through the web of U.S. politics as Windsor Johnston, Justin Crowe, and Sarah McCammon dissect the imminent threats of a government shutdown and the consequential withdrawal of Senator Tim Scott from the presidential campaign. The potential fiscal breakdown in Congress and the evolving Republican field underscore the delicate balance of political strategies and decision-making. Tune in to grasp a deeper understanding of these critical issues with the experienced journalism of NPR News Now's dedicated team.