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 former 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

Tobias Lutke, cofounder and chief executive officer of Shopify, speaks during the Toronto Tech Week 2026.

Shopify’s Leaders Are Pushing Right-Wing Politics in Canada—With Rachel Gilmore Shopify’s Leaders Are Pushing Right-Wing Politics in Canada—With Rachel Gilmore

Paris Marx talks to Rachel Gilmore about how Canadian tech companies like Shopify are pushing terrible right-wing policy ideas while influencing Mark Carney’s agenda.

Paris Marx

Democratic candidate for US Senate Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters at an election-night rally on August 4, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

How Abdul El-Sayed Can Win Michigan, Plus an Election Protection Test Case How Abdul El-Sayed Can Win Michigan, Plus an Election Protection Test Case

The Michigan Democratic Senate primary provided a test of the power of AIPAC and big money. John Nichols has our analysis.

Jon Wiener

The sun sets behind American flags on July 27, 2026, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner

Danny Bessner joins Derek to discuss his new book, "Imperialist Realism", and how American empire shapes both US foreign policy and popular culture.

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Robert F Kennedy Jr. speaks during an “Eat Real Food” rally in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Is Animal Welfare the Next MAHA? With Astra Taylor Is Animal Welfare the Next MAHA? With Astra Taylor

Astra Taylor joins Fighting Fascism to discuss the right’s growing interest in animal welfare, the politics of animal rights, and what the left risks overlooking.

Senator Joseph R McCarthy comments on the latest developments in his dispute with the White House and Arm Secretary Robert T. Stevens on February 26, 1954.

The Return of McCarthyism The Return of McCarthyism

Chris Lehmann on why Trump is reviving the Red Scare.

Jeet Heer

US President Donald Trump, Open AI CEO Sam Altman, and Google DeepMind Demis Hassabis during a meeting of G7 members, partner countries, and artificial intelligence business leaders as part of the G7 summit in eastern France, on June 17, 2026.

How Cloud Giants Wield Their Power Against Us All—With Cecilia Rikap How Cloud Giants Wield Their Power Against Us All—With Cecilia Rikap

Paris Marx talks to Cecilia Rikap about how networks of corporate power systematically influence global politics and the economy.

Paris Marx

x