In the first 100 days of Trump’s second term, we’ve witnessed a stunning escalation of authoritarian behavior and Trump-induced economic volatility. From blatant court defiance to erratic tariff policy, this administration is defining itself by overreach and chaos—and Public Notice Publisher Aaron Rupar has been chronicling it in real-time.
In this insightful Substack Live conversation, Aaron and I dig into what has surprised us most about Trump 2.0, how this is different from his first term, how right-wing media is gaslighting its audience, why global trust in America could take decades to rebuild, and what we can all do going forward.
We also talk about the personal cost of consuming all this content daily, how we try to maintain sanity, the importance of finding joy amid hard times, and why the “clipper” role Aaron has taken on has become one of the most vital parts of modern journalism.
Aaron and I have both been covering Trump heavily for almost a decade, and we agree: this moment is different and requires a different kind of media coverage and public action.
I really enjoyed this conversation. You can check it out above or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you value Aaron Rupar’s independent journalism, from his vigilant video clipping to the excellent articles he publishes, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to his Public Notice newsletter.
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If you value my independent journalism, as I’ve been analyzing Trump’s authoritarianism and the unfolding Project 2025 agenda, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber if you aren’t already.
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