Ever since I discovered Hardcore History I really appreciated Dan Carlin's take on both history and current events through his podcasts. Recently however, on his Common Sense podcast, Dan let loose a TDS rant that I didn't think was possible for someone I generally considered fairly moderate. In retrospect, he was a journalist at one point, and so probably leans to the left and things rather highly of the news, which we know to be full of bullshit now, especially when it comes to Trump.
His main argument seemed to be that Trump is a populist and authoritarian, and likens him to other historical figures who either were warnings, or the cause of, internal unrest (think Caesar or Hitler). He also made note that he trusted Biden more with nuclear launch codes than Trump, conveniently leaving out all the good Trump has done in the foreign policy realm that has actually de-escalated tensions around the world with some pretty trigger-happy countries.
What really gets me is that he completely left out all the things the Dems, and by extension the left, have done to destabilize and radicalize the populace and all the violence that, while yes is occurring under Trump's administration, is being caused by leftists and not right wingers.
I have noticed people trying to use the word "populist" as an insult, when all it really means is that a large group of people support them. Democracy basically runs on "populism" which is something the current establishment seems to dislike. And even with Caesar and Hitler, there's nothing to say that their societies would have been any better if they were "dealt with" more harshly. If anything I assume that would have caused even more damage in the end.
If somebody has not explicitly spoken up about the subversion of society, then they are either one of the subversives or a useful idiot for them. Well even if they talk about the subversion of society they may still be subversive if their "solutions" only lead to more and more decay.
I believe his gripe with populist was related to his perception of a Trump cult of personality, conveniently ignoring both the Clinton and Obama cults of personality. Say what you will of Trump supporters, I haven't seen anyone get into a fist fight over Trump branded whatever where they started the altercation. Meanwhile leftists are going around stealing hats and flags and losing their mind when someone disrespects a BLM or raimbow flag.
They bust out “muh cult of personality” whenever their opponents happen upon an effective leader. There is no reality in which a charismatic person captures the respect and loyalty of a large group of people without their enemies labeling them a “cult”.
Leftists also conflate our nation of laws aka the republic with “authoritarianism”. This is egregiously dishonest and also ironic, as the “authority” of our laws is what prevents us from descending into mob rule. The constitution protects us from them, but it also protects them from us.