352: Trump Is Sabotaging America with Ruth Ben-Ghiat

352: Trump Is Sabotaging America with Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Author: Politicon February 6, 2026 Duration: 23:48

James Carville and Al hunt are joined on the sofa by Ruth Ben-Ghiat discussing the current landscape of education and authoritarianism, the characteristics of strongmen leaders, and the implications of fascism in modern politics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the rule of law, the reactionary nature of fascism, and the global authoritarian landscape. The discussion also touches on the future of democracy, leadership, and the challenges of restoring trust and diplomacy in America.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Authoritarianism and Strong Men
02:54 The Nature of Strong Men and the Rule of Law
05:50 Fascism and Its Characteristics
09:16 The Reactionary Nature of Fascism
12:07 The Global Landscape of Authoritarianism
15:00 The Future of Democracy and Leadership
17:55 Restoring Trust in America and Its Institutions


Tune in for the kind of unfiltered, insider political conversation that usually happens behind closed doors. Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt brings together two legendary figures from opposite sides of the aisle for a weekly dissection of the American political landscape. James Carville, the fiery Democratic strategist, and Al Hunt, the respected veteran journalist and former Republican, don’t just rehash the headlines. They break down the strategy, the blunders, and the human drama driving the news with a depth of experience few can match. Each episode feels like you’re eavesdropping on a candid, often humorous, and always insightful debate between friends who have seen it all. This podcast, produced by Politicon, cuts through the noise of cable news punditry, offering analysis rooted in decades of firsthand knowledge of campaigns, government, and media. You’ll hear them predict consequences, call out hypocrisy, and unpack the real stakes of policy and elections. It’s a masterclass in political thinking, delivered with sharp wit and genuine camaraderie. For anyone trying to understand not just what’s happening, but why it matters and what might happen next, this is an essential listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt
Podcast Episodes
356: The Rising Star of Texas Politics: James Talarico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:45
James & Al are joined on the sofa by James Talarico as they discuss his campaign for the U.S. Senate from Texas, emphasizing the importance of grassroots support and addressing issues like healthcare and housing. He refl…
355: Stop The Steal with Michael Waldman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:03
In this election-focused episode, James and Al welcome the President of the Brennan Center For Justice, Michael Waldman, to discuss the administration's attempts at voter suppression and its historical parallels. They ex…
354: How Trump Is Weaponizing The Law with Abbe Lowell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:37
James Carville & Al Hunt are joined by super-lawyer Abbe Lowell, they discuss the current political climate, the differences in the Justice Department under the current administration, and the implications of prosecutori…
350: Electability in American Politics with Mitch Landrieu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
James & Al are joined by Mitch Landrieu and discuss the current state of American politics, emphasizing the importance of electability and the need for Democrats to reconnect with working-class voters. They explore the c…
349: How Young Voters Are Reacting to Trump's ICE Raids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:43
James & Al along with John Della Volpe discuss the shifting attitudes of young people towards political issues, particularly in light of recent events. They explore how younger generations perceive these issues on a pers…
348: What The Pollsters Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:20
James & Al explore the current political landscape as it pertains to the 2026 elections, focusing on the Democratic Party's strategies, key races, and the importance of effective messaging. The discussion highlights the…
347: Make Greenland Danish Again With Annegrethe Rasmussen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:43
James and Al discuss the tragic killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the wider battle for the soul of the city and the nation, looking at the effect of the escalating situation on the midterms, the solidarity of the…
346: Imperial Trump With Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:00
James and Al blast Trump for his increasingly crazy governance and game out the implications for the country, before taking a detour into the exciting turnaround of the championship-winning Hoosiers. Then, they welcome R…