Just Answering (Many) Questions!

The Q & A returns with subscriber questions on Trump Term Two and my answers.

Congratulations, subscribers, you beat your own record — I had to shut down comments 18 hours after posting the call for questions, because there were so many! Once again, I tried to be true to my word and answer all of them. The result is this long but thorough discussion of the topics on your mind.

If you’d like to submit a question in the future, become a paying subscriber. You can do that here:

The Q & A is free for all to read. Let’s kick it off with a question on oligarchs from a fellow named Turkey Burger!

Turkey Burger: Looking back, I do not know precisely what happened between Putin and the oligarchs, other than that the oligarchs either fled, fell in line, or lost their fortunes and freedoms and lives. Do you think that is what is happening between Trump and Elon and Bezos? Is Trump is following Putin's playbook?

SK: In 2012, a friend got me a Putin matryoshka. The outside was Putin, the inside was Medvedev, under Medvedev was another Putin, and on it went. So yes, Trump is following the playbook in the sense of heading a mafia state that never lost its grip, even though another administration existed between his terms.

But Putin is not the best analogue: Netanyahu is. Between two terms of Netanyahu came Bennett — along with corruption trials for Netanyahu. Netanyahu won by gutting the judiciary, rewriting the law so he was no longer breaking it, and returning to power aligned with an even more radical right-wing administration — the Kahanists, who were once banned as terrorists. That is what Trump did and will do. He is emulating both Putin and Netanyahu. But only the Putin path is noted by most pundits, because they would never dare criticize Israel due to fear of lobbying groups.

As for the oligarchs, they never left. They were never “Russian”: they are transnational operatives with multiple passports, offshore accounts, and Western proxies who transfer their money to Western politicians, using their citizenship to skirt sanctions. Some of the most notorious Russian oligarchs, like Roman Abramovich, moved to Israel to dodge investigation and keep his operations moving.

Musk and Bezos are also transnational operators with no loyalty to a particular nation. It’s worth studying instances in which they were vulnerable to blackmail. In 2018, Saudi Arabia hacked Bezos’ phone a few months before Jamal Khashoggi was murdered. Back then, Bezos fought back. Now he surrenders in advance. One can make an argument that Musk and Bezos are corrupt and do not need to be blackmailed. But those are not mutually exclusive: corrupt people are fine with some acts being revealed, but not others, and they have personal vulnerabilities. Everyone you named can be blackmailed, even if they don’t always need to be. That even the billionaires are bowing down raises questions of what is happening behind the scenes.

Frank: Your journalistic skills and moral fibre form a black and white contrast with the approach of the mainstream media. What if you get a carte blanche to run the New York Times (as an example of the mainstream media that shit the bed) tomorrow, what would you do?

SK: I’d feel bad that I had to run the NYT instead of this newsletter! The NYT offered me work a decade ago and I turned them down. I do wish that someone working for the public good would take over that paper, as it is one of few with the financial resources to do in-depth investigative journalism and foreign coverage.

Joanne: I find it difficult to believe that Trump won the popular vote, the presidency, the House and the Senate. I knew he could win but by this much? It seems to me that with the support of tech bros (not naming anyone) some tampering would be easy. Why do you think Dems are not looking into this? Ronna: Do you think the election results were accurate? How likely is it that Musk/ Starlink manipulated the results? Sabrina: Why do you think Harris is not asking for a recount?

SK: This is a very popular question. Others mentioned Thiel and Russia as possible culprits. The crucial thing is that we lack the mechanisms to find out if the vote was legitimate. The Biden administration did not protect voting rights and left participants in Trump’s attempted coup — Louis DeJoy, Christopher Wray, etc — in power, with the result that every election outcome is now in doubt. That administration would not even punish sedition: they are not going to do a vote audit. Harris is likely not asking for a recount because she knows she’ll never get one.

They also never investigated foreign tampering in the 2016 election, even though Michael Cohen and Felix Sater admitted in emails to working with Putin to install Trump, and even though Harry Reid repeatedly asked the FBI to investigate Russia’s intent to falsify election results — and he did so months before HRC lost. Those cases —and Trump’s long history of dirty deals with the Russian mafia — are worth examining. Instead, Democrats focused on trivial matters like bot farms, leading to widespread dismissal of a serious inquiry.

It is possible that the election results are inaccurate. It’s also possible that Trump and the GOP won. I don’t know. I’m more dismayed that a system to ensure election integrity was never created when they had years to build one. It’s also important to recognize that for many Americans, the past four years were terrible. Some things were not Biden’s fault: he did not create covid or cause inflation. But he lied that covid was over, he showed little empathy over inflation, and he broke nearly all of his campaign promises. Americans were rightfully angry. Biden’s approval rating was abysmal, and Harris never separated herself from him, which led voters to reject them both.

From 2021-2024, the right-wing built an elaborate propaganda apparatus to transform American grief into rage. During this time, collective memory was marred. Articles about Trump’s tenure were deleted or paywalled and many Americans blocked out the early days of the pandemic. This country is exhausted and traumatized. Is the remedy for that more Trump? Of course not — that’s hiring an arsonist to put out the fire. But as for legitimacy — legitimacy went out the window the moment the Biden administration and DOJ countenanced sedition and Trump was allowed to run again. This was never a legitimate election: it was a reinstallation.

Yvonne: It seems we will need to employ different ways to resist this time. Protests and talking with elected officials, as suggested by Indivisible, seem fruitless. I’m at a loss as to how to proceed, other than knowing that mutual aid and protecting the most vulnerable are essential. What is your take on this?

SK: When Trump became president in 2017, he did so after six years of mass protests: Occupy, Ferguson, Fight for 15, and so on. These were followed by mass protests over gun violence, climate change, sexual assault, and more. The expectation of protesters was that Democratic officials would pass laws to remedy these crises. That’s why there was a blue wave in 2018. When it became clear that not only did representatives not care, but that top Democrats were working with the worst Republicans — and encouraging us to “move on” from horrific crimes — people began to check out.

Protests are not working because leverage has changed. I recommend reading Kelly Hayes’ work about organizing, because she has practical advice that reflects our new circumstances. Digital media has put us in a situation we have never encountered, with new obstacles, and the old advantages of it are being stripped away by tech oligarchs. Mutual aid is an important way to help people that is in our control. Direct engagement is more effective than electoral politics. But it’s also important to show solidarity with people across the country engaged in the same goals.

Catherine: Should we take our retirement savings out of the bank and bury it in the backyard? Serious question about the Security of the banking industry.

SK: In 2016, I found a February 2014 interview on Fox News in which Trump laid out his plan to crash the US economy. I included it in HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT, which is good, because Fox deleted it. I also quoted it in other articles. Trump now appears to be enacting it.

I wish I had practical advice for you (and for myself). All I know is that Trump has seen crashing economies as a boon since the 1980s and his collaborations with corporate raiders like Carl Icahn. Only this time, he intends to crash the world, along with accomplices like Musk, who endorsed his plan. I would read people who understand crypto, which is not my area of expertise. Digital currency is going to play a significant role because they want to devalue the dollar. There are people who understand this aspect better than me. If I find a good article, I’ll post it.

Carol: I understand about Garland, the FBI, etc. all part of the mafia state. But what about Jack Smith? Where does he fit in all this?

SK: Jack Smith is a cog in a corrupt machine. That’s all he ever was and all he was supposed to be. It is shameful that grifters built a cult around him to raise your expectations. Everyone who did that knew full well Trump’s return was the goal and they did their part to assist the DOJ in that aim. For Smith to do something meaningful now, he’d have to go up against the whole DOJ apparatus, and there is nothing in his background indicating he cares enough about the US to do that.

Debbie: Please explain what controlled opposition is and the role it plays in the rise of authoritarianism. Are there any current democrats that are not acting as controlled opposition? How do we take back control of the government from the oligarchs/organized crime?

SK: Controlled opposition are political bodies that give the impression of battling the other side while aiding it. This is common in burgeoning autocracies, and why I started using phrases like “Vichy Democrats” and comparing Biden and Pelosi to Neville Chamberlain long ago. Controlled opposition is crucial in the US because we have a two-party system. Since the opposition is limited to “the Democrats”, it is easier to control than in a multiparty system. Because our parties are funded by billionaire donors, and those donors influence the media, it is easy to deceive the public about party goals and leave them unprepared when authoritarianism arises.

Not every Democrat is complicit. The lower you go in terms of power, the less likely they are to be involved. It’s best to evaluate people as individuals. The top Democratic leadership is complicit; I don’t think there are exceptions there. You should not believe in things like “the January 6 Committee hearings” any more than you believe in reality TV. Keep in mind that the powerbrokers often come from the entertainment industry — and this is even more pronounced on the GOP side. Karl Rove claimed to be in the “reality-making business” and that is correct; that’s what they do. That’s why the host of Celebrity Apprentice is your rerun dictator.

The first step to taking the country back is recognizing the problem and insisting that it is your country. Never give people respect just because they hold authority; respect people based on their actions. These are public servants. Their job is to serve you, not to control you. Resist any effort at control: refuse it. Americans have been pushed into a cult mentality that shuts down critical thinking. Your lived reality matters more than their contrived one — because it’s yours.

Elizabeth: How can I manage the intense rage I feel at the way elected and appointed Dems in positions of tremendous power seem to be rolling over in the face of the election results, pretending that everything is going to be fine and all we need to do is "keep the faith," whatever the F that means? And, secondarily, I am feeling a powerful pull to just try and gather my loved ones and protect them as best I can (if I can protect them at all) and tell those who are celebrating the orange monster's victory —especially the so-called "Christians" — not to expect any kindness or compassion from me going forward, period. I am not proud of all these dark and despairing feelings, but they are strong in me, sigh. Thank you.

SK: I’m angry too, especially because I was threatened in occasionally serious ways for speaking the truth on these matters for nine years. It is best to ignore the Vichy Dems. They’re either in a cult or paid by a cult. But I do not get satisfaction in knowing that people who voted for Trump will suffer along with those who did not, because I believe in universal values: everyone deserves health care, shelter, food, etc. Children of Trump voters will be affected, and no child deserves harm. That said, you have every right to your anger. There’s a difference between feeling fury — anger can be a form of compassion; you are angry that good people will suffer — and hurting someone. Don’t feel guilty about feeling what you feel. But maybe stay away from people who you know will piss you off.

Valeria: Give it to me straight. What's the absolute worst-case scenario for our healthcare system now? I'm trying to mentally prepare myself. James: What are your thoughts on the potential H5N1 Pandemic?

SK: This is another painful question. I’m afraid of another pandemic. I got a lot of bird flu questions in this Q & A and I’m very worried about how that will be handled, given that covid is handled horribly. I worry about RFK Jr because I understand where he’s coming from, but I don’t think he’s in his right mind, which puts us all in danger. We shouldn’t trust Big Pharma; healthcare is broken. But RFJ Jr is not there to fix it. He doesn’t know how: for example, he allegedly wants to ban clinical trials. One of my closest relatives has cancer and is alive due to a clinical trial, so I’m scared.

Trump is taking advantage of the trauma RFK Jr experienced, which starts with his father’s murder, to have him dismantle public health in a way that will be marketed as “justice”. That narrative needs to be swiftly debunked. One strategy is to push for full transparency in public health because this administration doesn’t want to give it to us any more than the past ones did, and it helps form an alliance with people with whom we might not otherwise agree. Everyone is angry about the Sacklers, for example — this is a point of unity on which a movement can be built. But movements usually take time — and the chronically ill don’t have time.

In other words, I don’t know what will happen, other than our atrocious healthcare system will get worse. I worry about the ACA being taken away, I worry about lack of oversight in our food and water: it goes on and on. If there is any comfort, it’s that denial has been one of America’s greatest obstacles. That denial is going to be swept away — and more people may have your back than before. I hope so, anyway.

Cristin: Last time you answered questions, you mentioned living technologically like it was the 1990's. What does that look like in your life? Do you have any recommendations for folks around technology usage and surveillance? Anyone you look to on this? Thank you for everything you do!!

SK: I limit my use of modern technology as much as possible, but it’s hard because they changed so many everyday appliances to make them digital. I miss when my TV had TV in it! I don’t want my car to have a computer. I recommend not buying new electronic devices for as long as possible. I buy print books and maps. I don’t bring my cell phone everywhere and I refuse to patronize places that require it. I download very few apps — most are for work. I don’t stream music because I don’t want to lose my songs, and I don’t want to rip off artists.

It’s very hard to escape surveillance. I have different concerns because of what I do for a living. One thing I recommend to parents is to not allow your kids to get a cell phone for as long as possible, make sure they have many non-digital hobbies, and don’t make photos of them public. Also imagine if the grid went down — would you know how to survive? Stock up on basics. Non-perishable food, water, a solar generator, first aid supplies, etc are good ideas.

Alan: Follower since your grad school days! Great work. Who are YOUR favorites to follow right now? Gauri: What current movements / community organizers / organizations give you hope right now?

SK: Like I said before, I read Kelly Hayes’ newsletter, and then I read some of the folks she recommends. I’m not an activist. I’m a writer. Getting advice from me is like asking a blues singer; I just sing the blues and maybe provide some solace in that. The last two weeks have been nuts, with not only a political meltdown, but a media meltdown. Everyone is in flux. I’m not sure who will come through in the end with good advice and analyses. But when I find them, I will share their work.

Aces99: Hi Sarah, how worried should we be of Mike Flynn and Tulsi Gabbard possibly be in trump's administration?

SK: I am not sure who is casting the Trump admin — they don’t appoint, they cast — but they’re doing something clever in that they are choosing people known for opposing the very agendas they are about to enforce. This means the propaganda is prewritten and may be effective at playing down the severity of the threat.

RFK is known for his concern over health and environmental destruction; he will now become the Poison King of America. I’m not sure if he grasps this or not. Matt Gaetz tried to paint himself as an anti-corruption activist, but he is a partner of some of the most corrupt operatives in the US, like Roger Stone. Gabbard is known as anti-war, and I think for a time she was — but she is also a supporter of dictators, particularly Putin and Assad. She is dangerous because her anger with the military-industrial complex comes from a real place and has been manipulated for evil ends. Normally I’d be worried about threats to US sovereignty with her as DNI head, but we already live under those threats. Her job will be maintaining a deeply corrupt status quo.

Michael Flynn is a much more seasoned operative. He is a foreign agent for Russia and Turkey, a coup plotter, and a skilled propagandist. He never went away, and he has been grooming Trump supporters for civil war. He’s an Iran War hawk — and on top of that, he’s out for revenge on his domestic enemies. I’m more worried about Flynn than Gabbard, whether or not he gets in the administration. He is in the shadow administration, and that’s the one that counts.

Gentlystream: Do we know what Erik Prince is up to?

SK: No, but we should!

Michael: I am 63 years. I grew up during the late 60's and the 70's. I have witnessed the erosion of civil liberties and the abandonment of the bedrock principles of democracy only to be chided that we are a republic as if ignoring history since WW2. Are the oligarchs too powerful to stop? Have we consented to a new fiefdom?

SK: We didn’t consent to anything. At least, I didn’t, and I doubt you did either. One of the tactics the powers that be will use is to convince us that we chose this, when in reality we have had less and less choice over our lives for a very long time. We always have choice about how we live our values and how we treat people, but we can’t do a citizen’s arrest of a transnational crime syndicate. I don’t know if the oligarchs are too powerful to stop. I know I will continue to live my life on my own terms and not bow down. I’m furious with the officials who did have the opportunity to stop this and decided instead to endanger us all. But there’s no way I’m blaming ordinary folks for this travesty, and that includes myself.

Theodore: Why has nobody leaked all the Trump early Russian dealings over the last four years? Mike L: Why doesn’t the intelligence community release the information they surely have about the crimes that Trump has committed? Brad: Where can we apply pressure to get the Mueller report released and a summary of the contents of the Mar A Lago blackmail boxes? Obviously, political pathways are blocked.

SK: Great questions! There has been ample opportunity for the truth about Trump’s criminal history to be released. In my book HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT, the documents from Epstein case in which Trump is credibly accused of raping a 13-year-old are included. Czech documents about him being a Soviet asset since 1987 in exchange for the US presidency — documents which have been verified — are quoted. One would think the media, hungry for ratings, and the Democrats, hungry for a victory, would be all over this — as well as his mafia ties. They’re not, though, because they’re in on the plot. That’s why my second book is called THEY KNEW.

So much of this was in the public domain until recently — now they’re wiping it clean— that it’s deeply frustrating. You don’t need the release of top-secret documents to access a deep well of organized crime. But the American people deserve answers, they deserve the truth, and you have to ask why the Democrats, during the time they controlled all mechanisms of government, refused to provide it. That is why I reference controlled opposition, though that’s not limited to the Democrats but includes other institutions. There’s a reason two FBI directors went on to work for the Russian mafia. (And a reason this is not discussed on cable news.)

Joe: You've said that presidents are "installed" and that a lot of outcomes are planned or colluded in some way. Yet we see elections coming close, often down to a few thousand votes. I'd love to better understand what mechanism you see doing the "installing": Who is pulling the levers? And what levers are being pulled?

SK: I don’t think most elections are installations. But I think presidential ones often are. Some were legit, and some weren’t — and this is not a matter of whether my preferred choice won, but whether there were demonstrated attempts at interference. The crisis is far worse than before. What is happening now in our election system is akin to when organized crime was streamlined into “white-collar crime”. Citizens United and other rulings have made it harder to legally define election interference and foreign influence. The people who break the law are the ones who rewrite it.

Erica: I had a convo with someone before the election who is an independent and was not voting for Trump/Harris. I expressed my concerns/fears regarding Trump being an authoritarian. She was not concerned and didn’t believe there was any way to dismantle our democracy in four years and requested proof from a scholarly/legal source that this was even possible… Is this something you can concisely explain further and/or direct me to an additional source?

SK: This is one of those moments where I wish the bulk of articles from the Trump era were not paywalled, because I think people genuinely forgot what happened. It didn’t help that Biden picked up where Trump left off on a variety of terrible initiatives and also left Trump unpunished. There are a lot of scholars noting how easy it is to dismantle US democracy. But I think if your friend can’t see it after experiencing the early years, she may not see it until later. Reviewing the histories of countries like Hungary that experienced the same trajectory may help, so long as she does not believe in American exceptionalism.

Jac Qui: Will Trump get away with recessing the government and affirming his cabinet picks? Sarah B: They gasped when Gaetz was nominated. Do you expect any opposing votes to any of the nominees?

SK: Trump might dump Gaetz because he wants someone more experienced as AG, unless Gaetz is a conduit to that very person. You have to remember Trump thinks of the AG as his personal attorney, and Gaetz lacks experience, unless you count committing crimes as experience. In terms of Congress approving Trump’s picks— yes, I expect them to be approved. The more AIPAC money a nominee receives, the more likely the approval. This is why I think Gaetz may not make it.

Carl L: How likely that Trump nominates Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court as the ultimate troll-move now that Garland did the job of doing absolutely nothing?

SK: Trump likes Merrick Garland and said so publicly. People ignored it, or thought it was sarcastic, but he was sincere. I don’t think Garland will stay in power though because Trump will want his own inside source. Mafia states are very insular.

Lydia: How likely do you think it is that these criminals will abolish Social Security? I don't believe there are any guardrails to stop them and I know their goal is to steal everything we've got.

SK: They will try, if Project 2025 and the last 40 years of GOP extremist threats are any indication. It will be incredibly unpopular, even with their base. This will be a litmus test of whether they plan to destroy the country completely or rule it like an autocracy. If it’s the latter, they may keep social security in order to prevent a level of unrest that will inconvenience them.

Mike S: Harris's main stump speech content dealt with helping to restore the middle class. She was not born into privilege and there seemed to be a sense of sincerity in taking on neoliberalism and the corporate state. Were these just "empty words" and any humble intentions she may have had were bought up years ago?

SK: I don’t think Harris cares about stopping neoliberalism or the corporate state. As her campaign progressed, she morphed into a bloodthirsty warmonger, which implies she is a vessel for others’ words. I don’t think how someone was raised has as much of a bearing on predicting their actions as what they did after achieving power. Clinton and Obama were raised in humble or middle-class circumstances, and they embraced the neoliberal agenda fully — honing it, even. I believe in the adage that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Robert B: Do you have an opinion on the security of apps like signal or telegram in the event that Congress does pass laws restricting freedom of speech and assembly? Jennifer: Electronic surveillance has been a threat for years but now it is even more intrusive with his tech-bro alliances. Is a VPN enough? Any thoughts on how we can limit their reach?

SK: I don’t know anything that is foolproof in terms of digital safety. As I said, I’m in a strange position because of my books and my job, in that I’m more likely to be a target than others. I try to live my life in a way that if it’s exposed, so be it! I hope the security state enjoys watching my Duolingo progress. I am worried about vague “hate speech” laws that will in reality be anti-free speech laws. That type of law is a common way authoritarian governments make it illegal to criticize leadership.

Tanner: Can you speak to “the work that needs to be done” that often shows up in the rhetoric of what the left needs to do?

SK: I hear this a lot and unless there’s some follow up, I kind of tune it out as a phrase.

Jack A Roe: Just how credible is it for Trump to use National Guard troops to round up people for deportation? The idea has been floated that he would use troops from red states to go to blue states to force the deportations, if the blue state authorities refuse to go along with mass deportations. This sounds illegal but the law is no barrier to Trump. Charles: How aggressive do you anticipate the incoming administration will be about denaturalizing citizens and what protections will the courts offer?

SK: I am very worried about deportations and the creation of camps akin to Japanese internment camps of the WWII era. Our country has been through this before, and we also have a horrifying immigration record over the last decade. The Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations all practiced abuse of migrants and denied families their legal rights. The difference was mainly in the open sadism of the Trump administration, and in their white supremacist ideology, embodied in officials like Stephen Miller. Miller could have been banished early because he lied on his security clearance forms, but he is yet another person no official bothered to expel when they had the chance. But yes, I am very worried — primarily for migrants and recent immigrants, but also that this crisis will be used as a pretext for regional violence.

As for the courts, Trump tried to pack them. Biden in turn appointed judges who would hopefully rule against something as unconstitutional as denaturalization. But since the Biden administration’s own record on this issue is terrible, I’m not sure. I’m worried a lot of people are going to end up in ICE limbo, which is already a crisis.

Chris J Rice: What part did Edward Snowden play in this debacle?

SK: I don’t know, and I’d love it if someone found out. On one hand, I understand the desire to expose the viciousness and deceit of the US security state. On the other, why would one go to Russia, an authoritarian mafia state, to hide out? I assume Snowden gave whatever he had to the Kremlin. I also would venture the Kremlin did not hold onto this information but used it to get what they wanted from other state and non-state actors.

Marcy: Could you please give us your best guess as to how this will play out with Jewish Americans? Should they leave the country? If so, when and is there anywhere safe to go? You're able to see and anticipate so much in advance of the rest of the world that your thoughts on this would be enormously appreciated and helpful.

SK: Whether to leave the US is an intensely personal choice, and there is great diversity among Jewish-Americans, so this isn’t a question I can answer on a practical level. It’s up to the individual. But the threats are real. One of the vilest aspects of Trump and Netanyahu’s rhetoric is their positioning of Israel as the “real country” of Jewish-Americans. Biden did this too by repeatedly saying that Jewish-Americans are not safe in the US. My reaction to Biden was but it’s your job to keep Jewish-Americans safe. We see neo-nazis convening and gaining power – what are you doing to protect people?! Not just Jewish-Americans, but any American targeted by hate groups.

There is a grotesque “philosemitism” from Trump that dehumanizes Jewish Americans and condemns them for not having dual loyalty to Israel. Trump’s cohort has particular ire for liberal American Jews, whom they deem traitors for not voting for the GOP. The conflation of “Jewish” with “Israel” has had terrible consequences. Some blame Jewish Americans for Netanyahu’s atrocities, for which they bear no responsibility — the same as when Al Qaeda attacked, Muslim Americans bore no responsibility. We need to condemn groundless blaming of ethnic or religious groups for crimes they didn’t commit. I hope vulnerable Americans do not leave, but that fellow Americans will stand beside them, wanting them to stay here, safe and free.

KB: Clearly one of the goals is to keep the rabble fighting amongst themselves while the upper tier of society continues to ransack the store. I've seen a lot of videos that are fueling divisiveness by being what I consider over-the-top, such as Hispanics saying, "Here's the ICE number, report your illegal relative who voted for Trump so they can get a taste of what they voted for." Is this just real Dem voters acting out, or is my Spideysense correct that it's yet another psyop to keep us all divided? Are there other common details and tactics that we should look for so we can disregard it or call it out for what it is? It's bad enough that so much online can't be trusted anymore.

SK: Some of these videos appear to be real, from what I can tell. There is a segment of Kamala Harris supporters whom I initially thought, back in 2019, were a psyop created by someone trying to torpedo her candidacy. They were so vicious and vile and fit every nightmare stereotype of what a conservative thinks a Democrat would be — constantly issuing profane, threatening rants. It turned out they were real people. Some worked for Pelosi before working for Harris. They are indeed calling ICE on Latinos, much as they called police on critics of Harris over the last five years, and recently on Palestinian protesters. They are bad people.

Tonisha: Part of what makes your writing so powerful is that you share moments of everyday awe in your area and travels. Do you have any advice for those of us looking to find hidden gems of this nature in our own areas?

SK: Wander around! Read about the history of your region. The more you know, the more interesting a seemingly banal place may become. This holds true for urban areas as well as areas of natural beauty.

Anton Q: Should the electoral college be retained or abandoned?

SK: Abandoned! And I say that coming from a state that would lose power if it were abandoned. The electoral college overrides the will of the American people.

Badger: Thank you for the hard work you've been doing for over a decade! How do you stay motivated and avoid despair? Along the same lines, if you're willing, could you describe how you work — daily habits or schedule to stay focused, techniques for collecting and tracking references, ratio of time researching/reading/writing, etc.?

SK: I don’t avoid despair. I try to push through it and distract myself, but it doesn’t always work. My routine is simple and semi-predictable. I’m an early riser; I’m usually up by 5:00 am. I like to do Duolingo; I finished Spanish and now I’m learning Italian. I do lessons while drinking coffee. Once I feel awake, I start researching and writing. I work on this newsletter and on my books. When I’m inspired, the ideas flow and I can work for 10-12 hours in a row, like I’m in a trance. Other days I’m blocked and take long breaks to clear my head. I have a lot of hobbies; I’m always making or exploring something. Lately since the weather is bad — a lot of my hobbies are outdoors, like kayaking — I’ve been embroidering. I also spend a lot of time with my husband and children. We watch TV together every night no matter what. Right now, we’re watching Veronica Mars. The dog watches with us and we all squeeze on the couch and eat ice cream. This is my favorite part of the day.

Edwin: Given the rhetoric of "I am your retribution!", do you believe there actually will be any, toward either political opponents or those who have written truth, but he considers otherwise?

SK: There will be a lot of talk of retribution in order to preemptively intimidate potential opponents into silence. There may be less real retribution because so many designated “enemies” have been helping the Trump camp the entire time. It’s a kayfabe admin. The people I’m most worried about are impoverished people and/or people from marginalized communities who don’t have the resources to fight back.

Janine: What are some good books to read that will further educate us on how the institutions we thought were going to save us, in fact are working against us? Also what books might we buy before they become unavailable because of the truths that they tell? So far I have purchased your books They Knew and Hiding in Plain Sight as well as Chaos by Tom O'Neill. Paul: Other than your own, what books & other resources do you recommend for trying to mount a resistance?

SK: I’ve mentioned Robert Friedman’s books on the Russian mafia and on Meir Kahane before; they’re out of print but important. Chaos is indeed a must-read. Ronan Farrow’s Catch and Kill is worth a read; it’s wild how the threat of Black Cube was dropped by Congress after Elijah Cummings, who was researching it, suddenly died. Books on the Israeli lobby or critical of Israel may end up banned; I’d buy them now. My books might be banned, because they talk about organized crime and specific figures who appear to wield influence over the publishing industry. I recommend getting hard copies. That includes even books like The Last American Road Trip that do not have much controversial content, because they will want an excuse to eliminate my back catalogue. Preorder while you can.

There may be a crackdown on books on Black history and Native American history — any history of autocracy being selectively practiced in the US. This is already happening in schools, but it may become broader and codified in law. The excuse they will hide behind is “wokeness” or “hate speech” but it’s really about not wanting white Americans to recognize the humanity of others, the injustices that have been done, that it could happen again and is happening now. Watch what happens to the new Ta-Nehisi Coates book. That may give a look at how censorship is going to play out.

TrinaCassadine: Should Black women relocate to a different country?

SK: That is another painful and personal question that can only be answered by the person making that decision. I live in St. Louis, where Josephine Baker grew up. As a child, she thought she heard wild animals crossing the bridge, but it was a white mob coming to murder her neighbors. She ended up moving to Europe and achieving the success there she was denied here due to racism. Baker is an admirable figure, but it is an indictment of the US that this is her life story. I think of her when I see Black women struggling with a government that abuses them and a society that denies them respect and opportunity. There has been widespread abandonment of Black communities by white Americans since 2020. It’s a tremendous betrayal — fair-weather activists rising up and then cowering back down. At the same time, this country was built by Black people — government criminals should feel like leaving, not Black women! Again, I hope people stay and that fellow Americans commit to standing by targeted people and defending them in a vocal and steadfast way.

Cliff: Do you think the DOJ’s decision not to pursue sedition charges against Donald Trump could be viewed as a strategic calculation? Historical parallels, like Hitler's early imprisonment after the Beer Hall Putsch, show how legal action can inadvertently galvanize populist support, transforming an entrenched political faction into broader political forces. While this comparison is purely structural and not moral, could prosecuting Trump at that moment have risked intensifying his base's fervor, reinforcing anti-establishment sentiments, and deepening political divisions?

SK: No, the only chance of avoiding Trump Term Two was indicting him immediately. First, because he was guilty and dangerous. Second, because most of the country supported it then (even Republicans). Over time, they began to believe Trump was innocent because of DOJ inaction.

Anna: If Biden is a placeholder president, what would Harris have been?

SK: A placeholder president who faced racism and sexism, and would have continued shared Biden/Trump initiatives such as support for genocide and war.

Chris L: You have a level of artistic talents that seem heretofore underutilized. Ever thought of giving more time to your photographic endeavors? Songwriting? Poetry? 

SK: Thanks! I don’t see them as underutilized. They’re hobbies instead of obligations. Hobbies are good because there’s no financial pressure. However, I would like my photos to be part of my books when it’s appropriate. I asked for that for the road trip book, but alas, I did not get it. My articles blend poetry with prose. I have thought about branching out into songwriting, so long as I’m not singing, because no one wants that! If I have an album, I’m calling it At the Junction of F and U. I think of my book chapters as tracks anyway. My other hobbies have to stay only hobbies though, for the sake of my sanity!

Jack Browne: I’ve been wondering why Trump and his people tell everyone what they’re going to do. You would think they would be sneakier. All the cuts in the 2025 plan are unpopular. Banning abortion, mass deportation, cutting social programs - are all unpopular, yet he has consistently said he is going to gut the government. Is it intimidation?

SK: It is very common for dictators and proto-dictators to announce their plans in advance. It’s a way of flaunting impunity. Trump has done this his whole life. It’s also typical of mafiosos who made deals with corrupt governments, which is why people need to review his activity from the 1970s (when he was first investigated, and then let go, by the DOJ) onward. As for the GOP doing the same, it points yet again to our votes not mattering. They are not trying to win us over. They are not trying to win, period. They seek not to win, but to steal; not to govern, but to rule.

Marina: Do you think there is a chance a true leader will emerge in the future? Someone with a moral compass and a good heart? Katie: It seems most self-identifying democrat or leftist politicians are either bad-faith actors, willfully complicit, or terribly ineffective. Is there anyone in left leaning politics who is making smart choices and providing a model for going forward?

SK: I think it’s possible a true leader will emerge and will be assassinated. Sorry for the bleak assessment, but that’s what US history taught me. I do think there are good people in left leaning politics. One of the great traps of our time is fame. An effective leader nowadays would get more done under the radar. They should act like the inverse of the GOP — all those quiet operatives who worked behind the scenes for decades to destroy the country. We need left leaning people working tenaciously, away from the prying eyes of cameras, to strengthen and rebuild the country instead.

Kim R: Do you think there's any chance Europe will step up and get Ukraine what it needs, and do you think the EU will distance itself from the US?

SK: Europe seems to be going down the same dark path as the US, so I doubt it — with the exception of the former Warsaw Pact states, who understand what it’s like to face Russian invasion. (Hungary is an autocratic exception.) The freer European states may well reject the US; the ones who either have their own fledgling dictatorships or who are easily intimidated will embrace Trump.

Brittany: Are you screaming into any voids (social media or otherwise) besides Substack these days? That is to say, are you anywhere else online AND what is something you find comforting in the wild unknown of now/a looming second Trump term? Roger: What do you think will happen to Twitter (X)? I know you have resisted leaving while others say they want to "starve" it out of existence and stick it to Elon.

SK: I’m on Blue Sky but I’m ambivalent about it. I’m still on Twitter. I’m not leaving or deleting my Twitter account. If you are leaving Twitter, please don’t delete your account! It’s part of the historical record. It provides time-stamped documentation of a tumultuous era. Deleting it also does not keep you safe: if you leave, they will invent your words. Your record is a great defense.

Krys: 1) Will we be able to pre-order or purchase autographed versions of your new book from Left Bank Books?

SK: Yes, you can preorder it here: The Last American Road Trip (Hardcover) | Left Bank Books. I will autograph copies!

Rachelle: Is it just me that thinks the west coast will be a target immediately? That any liberal and progressive cities will be a target immediately? I mean “neighboring governors sending their national guards” or Trump deputizing ‘militias’ like all of his sycophants (3%, proud boys, neo nazis, kkk, etc) to take up arms and 𝙨𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙨𝙝 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 violently? To strike fear through violence. Is that 𝙣𝙤𝙩 what we have in store? Am I just paranoid and panicking for no reason?

SK: No, you’re not paranoid. I am worried that the West Coast will be targeted in multiple ways: through immigration roundups and the deputizing of militias that you discuss, and also because if they are trying for USSR-style dissolution, I think California will be the first state, and they will market it as “liberation”. I am wary of Gavin Newsom and his potential role in this plan. They are already exaggerating differences between “red” and “blue” states to heighten citizen rancor and move Americans away from demanding accountability. If you see California officials making generalizations about other states instead of making concrete plans to help people in California, beware. There is a web of corruption that ties Newsom to the Trump camp, and I am also wary of the Silicon Valley secessionists.

Mike L: It seems that Trump’s second term will cause more damage than his first term based on the things he wants to do. Why didn’t he try this in his first term?

SK: He needed the Supreme Court, which he didn’t fully get until 2020. Now that he has it — and immunity from prosecution — he will go wild. He spent his first term shifting political culture and accessing classified intelligence that could be passed to his partners abroad in preparation for a bigger plan. Keep in mind that the American plan is not separate from other countries’ plans. There are deals over territory and money being made and autocrats working in tandem.

The other important thing is that Trump’s goals are different than those of the people around him. Trump cares about money, power, and immunity. The Project 2025 men have an ideological vision that he likely doesn’t care about but will enact anyway. Others surrounding Trump badly want a war with Iran. The potential nature of this war is frightening. Trump is obsessed with nuclear weapons and has been since the 1980s. He’s spoken frequently of using them, but at the same time, he says he fears them. He believes the world will end in nuclear annihilation. My fear is that the way Trump deals with his fear is by becoming the one who pushes the button.

Marketoj: Wondering whether Putin/ Russia have kompromat on Trump or is he just in it for the money?

SK: Both!

Brian: What is your advice for how to be as honest as possible with young children about the state of the world without shattering their sense of security?

SK: I covered this in the last Q & A; look for Tracy’s question.

John: Happy to be a paid subscriber, but as I consider making donations to worthy causes in these increasingly troubled times, what are your favorite causes to which I should consider donating?

Sarah: Mutual aid rather than NGOs is a good choice now. It’s good to give directly to people who need help. Winter is coming, people will need warm clothes and warm places to stay. I’m expecting a broad crackdown on the homeless, so those are folks who will be in greater need of help than ever before. Helping the homeless is my suggestion, but if there are other causes that interest you, pursue them.

Joseph M: What did you think about the conclusion of Attack on Titan? I know the series ended a while ago, but I’ve only recently been able to finish watching the series.

SK: It is disconcerting how uncannily Attack on Titan lined up with events in real life. It’s the result of history repeating itself. Since the show draws from so many WWII-era atrocities, as well as the history of Israel and Palestine, and mashes them together in a fictional narrative, it ends up having a horrific resonance today. It’s a very good and complicated show.

I’m glad that the show explicitly states that no matter what, genocide is wrong: the message is as stark as it can get. Hange literally screams that phrase in both the series and the manga. But “The Rumbling” and the evolution of Eren is hard to take. One of the most terrifying things is to see a human become a monster out of choice. At first, I felt like the conclusion was unsatisfying — and then I realized I felt that way because it felt accurate. It reflects the world I fear we live in. I’m glad teenagers watch the series, and I hope they draw the right lessons about cycles of trauma and violence. I hope they watch all the way through, so they see the extent of the horror on innocents, the grave danger of propaganda, and that war crimes can never be justified.

Cale: If you wanted some solace and stability, where would you move internationally? Is Canada the most practical place to consider?

SK: I don’t think there’s anywhere where I’d feel those things! I’m too restless. I’m happiest when I’m moving, especially on a canoe on a river. And I feel the most comfortable when I’m with my family, so where they go, that’s where I’ll be.

The St. Louis Arch in the fog. Photographed November 14, 2024.