Lawrence: Trump wants your fear. Don’t give it to him

A Warning is an inside look at the chaotic Trump administration by a senior Trump administration official writing anonymously. It’s a follow-up to the author’s September 5, 2018, New York Times op-ed piece describing internal efforts to control Trump’s impulses. This is no longer working, “Anonymous” writes. The book depicts an impulsive and corrupt president, who puts his self-interest above the country’s interest, in the process undermining the foundations of democracy and putting national security at grave risk.

“Anonymous” describes the increasingly futile efforts of a handful of principled White House officials to stave off disastrous, often illegal actions. The author warns that the “guard rails” have come off—the principled staffers have mostly been driven away and Trump is uncontrollable. If he wins another four years, he may sink the ship of democracy.

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.

According to Gen. H.R. McMaster, the United States views the world through a self-centered lens, assuming that its policy decisions are the main driving force behind global events. Because of this distorted perspective, the US has lost influence on the global stage at a time when authoritarian aggression is on the rise. In Battlegrounds, McMaster, who was US national security adviser in 2017-18, contends that American leaders must learn to see the world through the eyes of the US's adversaries in order to defend against foreign threats and compete in the modern global landscape.

In this guide, we’ll explore McMaster’s criticism of the assumptions driving US foreign policy, his assessment of the threats America faces, and the steps he believes the US must take. We’ll compare McMaster’s views with those of other experts on diplomacy, while placing his assessments in their larger context and updating some of his information based on events since the book’s publication.

In Blowout, journalist and MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow aims to expose the corruption and exploitation underlying the oil and gas industry. Pointing the finger primarily at Russian politicians like Vladimir Putin and American energy magnates like former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, Maddow contends that over the past 40 years, the industry has wreaked havoc on the environment, developing economies in the third world, and international relations, especially in Eastern Europe. Ultimately, she argues that only full transparency and strict environmental regulation can protect the planet from devastating accidents and corporate greed.

In this guide, we’ll discuss her evidence for how a handful of companies and politicians have exploited oil and gas reserves worldwide, both for profit and to serve dangerous political ends. We’ll also elaborate on how oil and gas have damaged the environment (perhaps permanently), how American energy policy continued to evolve under the Trump and Biden presidencies, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further destabilized the international energy market.

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?

In Blowout, journalist and MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow aims to expose the corruption and exploitation underlying the oil and gas industry. Pointing the finger primarily at Russian politicians like Vladimir Putin and American energy magnates like former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, Maddow contends that over the past 40 years, the industry has wreaked havoc on the environment, developing economies in the third world, and international relations, especially in Eastern Europe. Ultimately, she argues that only full transparency and strict environmental regulation can protect the planet from devastating accidents and corporate greed.

In this guide, we’ll discuss her evidence for how a handful of companies and politicians have exploited oil and gas reserves worldwide, both for profit and to serve dangerous political ends. We’ll also elaborate on how oil and gas have damaged the environment (perhaps permanently), how American energy policy continued to evolve under the Trump and Biden presidencies, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further destabilized the international energy market.

A Warning is an inside look at the chaotic Trump administration by a senior Trump administration official writing anonymously. It’s a follow-up to the author’s September 5, 2018, New York Times op-ed piece describing internal efforts to control Trump’s impulses. This is no longer working, “Anonymous” writes. The book depicts an impulsive and corrupt president, who puts his self-interest above the country’s interest, in the process undermining the foundations of democracy and putting national security at grave risk.

“Anonymous” describes the increasingly futile efforts of a handful of principled White House officials to stave off disastrous, often illegal actions. The author warns that the “guard rails” have come off—the principled staffers have mostly been driven away and Trump is uncontrollable. If he wins another four years, he may sink the ship of democracy.

According to Gen. H.R. McMaster, the United States views the world through a self-centered lens, assuming that its policy decisions are the main driving force behind global events. Because of this distorted perspective, the US has lost influence on the global stage at a time when authoritarian aggression is on the rise. In Battlegrounds, McMaster, who was US national security adviser in 2017-18, contends that American leaders must learn to see the world through the eyes of the US's adversaries in order to defend against foreign threats and compete in the modern global landscape.

In this guide, we’ll explore McMaster’s criticism of the assumptions driving US foreign policy, his assessment of the threats America faces, and the steps he believes the US must take. We’ll compare McMaster’s views with those of other experts on diplomacy, while placing his assessments in their larger context and updating some of his information based on events since the book’s publication.

In a meticulous unraveling of a high-profile lawsuit, Michael Barbaro of The Daily podcast, alongside Jonah E. Bromwich, examines former President Donald Trump's legal entanglement in New York City. The detailed discussion cuts through the complexities of the civil case charging Trump with the inflation of assets to secure favorable financial deals. As they probe into the roots of the legal charges sparked by Michael Cohen's congressional bombshells, listeners get a gritty look at the groundwork of a lawsuit that could have sweeping ramifications for the Trump family.

The episode delves deep into the pre-trial escalations, including Judge Arthur Engoron's sharp critique of Trump's financial disclosures and the testimonies of Trump's sons—Donald Jr. and Eric—that seem to reveal a casual disdain for the severe nature of their situation. With Letitia James at the front of this legal pursuit, we witness Donald Trump's own tempestuous behavior in court, offering a glimpse into the potential cracks in his defense facade. As The Daily journeys through these stormy legal waters, it also casts an eye on the broader political landscape—observing shifts in U.S. domestic politics and international commentary by Benjamin Netanyahu on Israeli security, framing this epic saga within a much larger context of global relevance.

In the pulse-racing episode "Of Presidents & Kings" from Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News, law experts Andrew Weissman and Mary McCord, alongside Trevor Morrison, unpack the complex web of legal issues besetting former President Donald Trump. Their robust discussion traverses from the constitutional hurdles of his potential presidential run to intense civil fraud litigations related to his business dealings in New York, laying the groundwork for what could be a seismic shift in legal precedents concerning former presidents.

The episode dives deep into the esoteric waters of legal principles, the invocation of the Fifth Amendment in civil cases, and the intricate balance between witness credibility, defendant rights, and trial fairness. Each speaker brings their seasoned expertise to the fore, determining the credibility of implementing gag orders to preserve the sanctity of the court process and the convolution surrounding presidential immunity in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection. With the Supreme Court's role looming large and the stakes running high, this discussion is a treasure trove for those engrossed in legal strategy and the resolute quest for accountability at the highest echelons of power.

In this incisive installment of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro challenges the prevailing narratives on anti-Semitism, diversity initiatives, and U.S. politics with his guests Chuck Schumer, Eylon Levy, Chris Hayes, Ayelet Shaked, Sarah Hendriks, and Jim Jordan. Shapiro systematically dissects Schumer's speech against the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment, rejecting blame placed upon the pro-Palestine movement's ignorance, and suggesting that the left's fundamental ideologies arguably contribute to the propagation of hateful anti-Semitic theories. Tackling the role of Jews in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Shapiro provocatively inquires about their true effectiveness and impartiality, particularly in light of Elon Musk's recent criticisms of DEI.

The conversation then pivots to an in-depth examination of the Israeli-Palestinian milieu, showcasing Shapiro's deep-seated skepticism toward the fragile ceasefire and international peace efforts. He critically assesses the Palestinian Authority's governance capabilities post-Hamas and questions the UN's effectiveness in managing the issues at stake. Back on American soil, Shapiro dives into the dynamics of U.S. policies and upcoming elections, defending Kissinger's strategic diplomacy, while offering his take on the GOP’s potential Biden impeachment strategies and scrutinizing the inflation concerns looming over the Biden administration. As Ben Shapiro stands firmly at the intersection of political inquiry and societal critique, he engages with a vibrant panel of thinkers, leaving listeners pondering the difficult question: Where do we go from here?

In this insightful episode of NPR News Now, Korva Coleman explores the impressive global response of the climate protests in New York during Climate Week. She brings in Emma Beretta to discuss the significance of these protests on future political outcomes such as President Biden's re-election in 2024. Touching on the urgency for decisive action against fossil fuels, they shine a light on the rising power of the youth in shaping climate policies.

Simultaneously, a parallel narrative unfolds beneath the surface as Coleman and Daniel Estrin delve into industrial disputes, business controversies, and international political relations. Key aspects include the United Auto Workers strike, Elon Musk's counteraction to anti-Semitic accusations, and the Israeli Prime Minister's unconventional interaction with President Biden. Furthermore, Kristin Wright from NPR illustrates the ongoing fight for civil rights and judicial fairness, focusing on the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ battle against a classified government watch list that targets Muslims.

Delve into the latest episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, where Ben Shapiro pulls no punches in his examination of the fraught political and media landscapes. Renowned for his incisive commentary, Shapiro brings his razor-sharp intellect to bear on the contentious issue of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the portrayal of it within Western media. Challenging the narratives presented by many journalists, he argues that there exists a significant disconnect between the American public's support for Israel and the often negative depiction by the media, laying out his critique bolstered by recent poll data.

As the podcast unfolds, Shapiro's scope widens to the domestic theatrics of American politics, branding it a "circus" that prioritizes media attention over substantive debate. Through vivid descriptions of GOP infighting and ethical disputes within party ranks, Shapiro outlines the internal divisions and generational gaps that serve as a backdrop to the political performance. His conversation spans the bipartisan stance on Israel's defense to the strategic questioning of U.S. Senate's foreign aid priorities and President Joe Biden's diplomatic challenges. For those seeking a thought-provoking perspective on the dichotomy between public sentiment and media narratives, as well as an advocate for informed political engagement through education, The Ben Shapiro Show is your pivotal listen.