In a conversation several years ago that I think about often, novelist Jonathan Lethem explained the state of America to me: Who’s a greater dreamer than Donald Trump? He’s dreaming so hard we’re all stuck inside. And Trump’s dream is a dream of revenge. Donald Trump is like the outer-borough rich kid who is going … Read more
One hundred years after Benito Mussolini was appointed Italy’s prime minister, the job has now gone to a politician whose party traces its roots to the post-fascist activists who emerged after the Duce’s ignominious death in 1945. Yet, to describe Giorgia Meloni, sworn in last weekend, and the Brothers of Italy as direct descendants of … Read more
Six months ago, people on the left in France faced a crucial choice. None of their candidates had gotten enough votes to make it into the presidential runoff election. On the upcoming ballot were the neoliberal president Emmanuel Macron and the neofascist challenger Marine Le Pen, who had trailed the incumbent in the first round … Read more
BOLOGNA, Italy — The first woman to hold the office of prime minister in Italy is a fascist. This is not hyperbole or metaphor, or some headline-grabbing device used to smear a conservative. No. The fact is that Giorgia Meloni, leader of the largest party after Italy’s recent elections, is fascist to her core. The … Read more
These days, most people — at least who follow the news at all — know who the Proud Boys are. After all, the far-right street gang was at the center of organizing the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, a crime that that many members have been facing serious federal charges for. But it wasn’t … Read more
For the last six years or so, most Americans — especially white Americans — were in denial about the monster rampaging across the country. Like privileged children, they believed that if their eyes were closed, the monster couldn’t harm them. The real world does not work that way. Those slumbering Americans are not entirely responsible … Read more
Former President Donald Trump on Sunday shared a video on his struggling Twitter knockoff Truth Social of Sen. Linsey Graham, R-S.C., warning of “riots” in the streets if he is indicted. Graham issued the warning during an interview with Fox News host Trey Gowdy, a former Republican congressman, days after a partially redacted FBI affidavit … Read more