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
325: Hoist The Jolly Roger with Rahm Emanuel & Rob Sand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:23
James and Al dissect the lawlessness of the Trump administration and welcome former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. They discuss the role that government plays in law enforcement, explain the differences between Republicans…
324: Defeating Putin & Winning At Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:07
James and Al sound the alarm over the damage MAGA is causing to the economy and lay out how Trump’s tax policies will hurt the working class. Then, they welcome the NYT’s David Sanger to discuss the rapidly shifting situ…
323: War & Crime with Craig Symonds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:43
James and Al castigate Trump for his attempt to militarize the Capitol, and call out his false claims about crime, and discuss how Democrats can make it a winning issue when the numbers are in their favor. Then, they loo…
322: Trump’s Plunging Polls with Professor Alexander Theodoridis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:03
James and Al break down the redistricting battle being led by Texas and explore what it means for upcoming elections. Then, they look at the political effects of the ongoing Epstein scandal, declining crime rates, and th…
321: The Epstein Conspiracy with Judd Legum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:04
James and Al emphasize the need to wield the terrible effects of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ against Republicans going forward, as well as the benefits of focusing on the economic peril of everyday Americans going into…
320: A Real Alternative with Governor Wes Moore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:28
James and Al welcome Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, to discuss the biggest issues plaguing our cities, including crime, immigration, and education– specifically looking at how we can make our cities safer, deliver on t…
319: Who Is The Worst [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:32
Albert Hunt and James Carville discuss the results of a survey identifying the most dangerous Trump appointees. They delve into the implications of their actions, particularly focusing on figures like Pam Bondi, Pete Heg…
318: A World In The Shadows with Shane Harris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:30
James and Al pay tribute to legendary journalist Dan Balz, examine the state of the country, analyze Trump’s performance so far, and announce the top vote-getter for the title of the most dangerous member of the administ…
317: How Democrats Lost America with Josh Dawsey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:48
VOTE FOR THE WORST OF THE TRUMP ADMINJames and Al exciorate the Republican controlled government for passing Trump’s insane budget, tear into the lackeys supporting the regime, and call upon you to vote in the attached s…
316: It’s July 2nd, Stupid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:57
VOTE FOR THE WORST OF THE TRUMP ADMINJames and Al castigate our corporate masters and the oligarchs in control of Fox before welcoming historian Joseph Ellis to celebrate the founding and tell some of its finest stories.…