In this episode of Wide Awake America, host Nadine Smith welcomes Greg Olear, the Los Angeles Times bestselling author of Dirty Rubles: An Introduction to Trump Russia. His latest book, Rough Beast: Who Donald Trump Really Is, What He’ll Do If Re-elected, and Why Democracy Must Prevail, delves into the dangers posed by Trump’s potential return to power. Greg is also the author of the column “Prevail” and host of the weekly podcast “Prevail with Greg Olear.”
Greg discusses the critical need to alert the public to the criminality and fascist intentions of Trump and his allies. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming the American normalcy bias, which can prevent people from recognizing the creeping threat of authoritarianism. Greg shares his journey from novelist to political commentator and the evolution of his understanding of Trump’s connections to Russia and the global rise of authoritarianism.
The conversation covers the manufactured divisions and polarizations that mimic authoritarian playbooks worldwide, the intellectual underpinnings of the anti-woke movement, and the unsettling parallels between the rhetoric of American extremists and historical fascist regimes. Greg explains the strategic use of terms like “woke” to mobilize outrage and division, and the role of Project 2025 in the Republican agenda.
Tune in to hear Greg’s thoughts on how to combat the erosion of democracy, the importance of public awareness and activism, and the need for a united front against authoritarianism. This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the future of American democracy.
