Trump’s corruption leaves us cynical – and complacent
Impunity breeds popular cynicism, and cynicism undergirds autocracy
TL;DR
- Donald Trump has moved from appearing conflicted to openly taking public money.
- A recent deal with the IRS resulted in a $1.776 billion slush fund for Trump.
- This impunity breeds popular cynicism, seen as a necessary ingredient for autocracy and kleptocracy.
- The article suggests fighting this cynicism through clear-eyed analysis and maintaining a capacity for outrage.
- The author identifies Judith Levine and M Gessen as figures offering insights on surviving autocracy.