Podcast / See How They Run / Jun 1, 2024

How Trump Swallowed the GOP Whole

On this episode of See How They Run, John Nichols and Jeff Sharlet on how Trump bent the GOP and the Christian nationalist movement to his will.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

How Trump Swallowed The GOP Whole | See How They Run
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of See How They Run, D.D. Guttenplan is joined by John Nichols to discuss how Donald Trump turned the Republican Party into a supine extension of his own political ambitions. Then, Jeff Sharlet takes us through the Christian nationalist movement's embrace of Trump, and how their partnership risks plunging us into a fascist future.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Former president Donald Trump delivers remarks during the Georgia state GOP convention on June 10, 2023.

Former president Donald Trump delivers remarks during the Georgia state GOP convention on June 10, 2023.

(Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

On this episode of See How They Run, D.D. Guttenplan is joined by John Nichols to discuss how Donald Trump turned the Republican Party into a supine extension of his own political ambitions. Then, Jeff Sharlet takes us through the Christian nationalist movement’s embrace of Trump, and how their partnership risks plunging us into a fascist future.

John Nichols is a national affairs correspondent at The Nation and the author of over a dozen books, including his latest, It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism, cowritten with Senator Bernie Sanders.

Jeff Sharlet is a professor at Dartmouth College and the New York Times best-selling author or editor of eight books. His latest is The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

D.D. Guttenplan

D.D. Guttenplan is a special correspondent for The Nation and the host of The Nation Podcast. He served as editor of the magazine from 2019 to 2025 and, prior to that, as an editor at large and London correspondent. His books include American Radical: The Life and Times of I.F. Stone, The Nation: A Biography, and The Next Republic: The Rise of a New Radical Majority.

More from The Nation

Donald Trump departs after speaking during a House Republican retreat at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on January 6, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Venezuela in American Politics—Plus, VA Housing for Homeless Vets Venezuela in American Politics—Plus, VA Housing for Homeless Vets

On Start Making Sense: John Nichols on the lack of support for Trump’s attack on Venezuela, and Mark Rosenbaum on the court victory that should end homelessness for disabled vets....

Jon Wiener

People participate in a “No Kings” national day of protest in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 18, 2025.

A Year of Resistance—in the Streets, in Elections, and in the Courts A Year of Resistance—in the Streets, in Elections, and in the Courts

On Start Making Sense: Harold Meyerson and David Cole review the year 2025, when a remarkable resistance movement challenged an unprecedented attack on democracy.

Jon Wiener

LAPD officers and National Guard soldiers stand outside a downtown LA jail in June 2025.

How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas

On Start Making Sense: Bill Gallegos on the withdrawal of the National Guard and marines from LA last summer, and Sean Wilentz on Dylan’s choice of songs for his Christmas album.

Jon Wiener

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

On The Time of Monsters: David Klion and Ronnie Grinberg on a founding father of neo-conservatism.

Jeet Heer

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

On Start Making Sense: Katha Pollitt talks about why none of Epstein’s friends cared about his victims, and Natan Last reveals the hidden politics of the crossword puzzle.

Jon Wiener

Trump’s Global Culture War

Trump’s Global Culture War Trump’s Global Culture War

On The Time of Monsters: Stephen Wertheim on the government's new National Security Strategy.

Jeet Heer

x