The Kennedy Center recently removed the name of the current president, a violation of federal law, reinstating its identity as a memorial to John F. Kennedy. This incident reflects a broader narrative analyzed in “The Trump Files,” highlighting how Donald Trump’s presidency increasingly personalizes public institutions. Observers question whether these institutions can maintain independence amidst such a shift. Events such as Trump’s military actions and the controversial UFC event on the White House lawn illustrate a dramatic fusion of politics and performance. Internationally, the Trump era raises concerns about the survival of democratic frameworks as loyalty shifts from institutions to personalities.
President Obama is viewed as the most significant president by the author, who was born in 1940. Influenced by civil rights leaders, Obama’s impact is seen as profound. The author also shares a personal journey of starting online art courses and painting at 74, reflecting on their unique perspective of Obama.
The rise of authoritarianism is gradual, rooted in the erosion of shared reality. Donald Trump’s second presidency organizes lies into a governing system impacting elections, race, economy, and foreign policy. By delegitimizing elections and framing dissenting views as conspiracies, he undermines democracy. Immigrants are portrayed as threats, while economic pain is redirected toward scapegoats. Foreign policy exaggerates threats to elevate the leader. Ultimately, these strategies foster acceptance of lies, eroding truth as loyalty takes precedence in governing.
Today, January 6, thousands of American terrorists attacked the United States Capitol. Right-wing hate groups participated in the attack. They incorrectly believed they were being patriotic by attacking the very center of the United States government. On this infamous...
This is a review of what I wrote on my blog and Substack In 2025. I transitioned from documenting politics to observing the erosion of democratic principles amidst Trump’s second term. Through over 300 pages of essays, my posts highlighted the gradual decay of truth, the rise of authoritarianism, and the weaponization of neutrality. The fictional correspondent, Skyler Fusaro, served as a reminder of memory’s importance and civic resistance. The year illustrated a struggle against forgetting, emphasizing that preservation of history and truth is crucial for democracy’s survival.
A Life in U.S.-Soviet Russia Exchanges From Airlie House to Moscow: A Life in U.S.–Soviet Exchanges. This post is the first of three. They were initiated by the failed summit in Alaska. It was between two men who cannot be trusted. Achieving peace in Ukraine requires...
