Fascism or Genocide

1. The Progressive Left's Electoral Setbacks and AIPAC's Ascendancy

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the most powerful pro-Israel organization in America, unleashed nearly $15 million, deluging airwaves and mailboxes to obliterate the congressional career of Jamaal Anthony Bowman, who, in a parallel universe, might have been the first openly socialist senator or governor from New York.

Progressive decline. The book chronicles the significant decline of the progressive left's electoral power, particularly highlighted by the defeat of Congressman Jamaal Bowman in 2024. Once a rising star of "The Squad" and a symbol of renewed socialist energy, Bowman's loss marked the end of what the author terms the "Progressive Primary Era." This era, which began with Bernie Sanders's 2016 primary successes and the rise of figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saw left-wing insurgents challenging establishment Democrats.

AIPAC's financial might. A major factor in Bowman's defeat was the unprecedented spending by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its aligned PACs, which poured nearly $15 million into the race. This intervention, part of a broader strategy to target left-leaning Democrats critical of Israel, demonstrated AIPAC's formidable influence in shaping Democratic primaries. Bowman's criticisms of Israel's actions in Gaza, including labeling it a "genocide," made him a prime target, leading to a significant financial disadvantage against his challenger, George Latimer.

Internal vulnerabilities. Beyond external pressures, Bowman's campaign also suffered from internal vulnerabilities and missteps, such as past controversial blog posts and a House censure for pulling a fire alarm. These issues contributed to an image of the progressive left as "too radical and ultimately unserious about governing," further alienating voters and making it harder to counteract the well-funded attacks from pro-Israel groups. The defeat of other Squad members, like Cori Bush, further underscored the challenges faced by this faction.

2. Donald Trump's Unconventional Political Genius and Enduring Appeal

He was, in no way, an intellectual. His genius was all-American, wholly for publicity, for having the native foresight, buried deep in his viscous core, to understand what he had to do. He had to perform.

Performance over policy. Donald Trump's political genius lies not in intellectual prowess or policy mastery, but in his unparalleled ability to command attention and perform for an audience. He is described as a "demented world spirit" of America, a figure who understands the spectacle of politics and how to leverage it for fame and power. His resilience, surviving bankruptcies, scandals, a felony conviction, and even an assassination attempt, underscores this unique, almost mythical, appeal.

Cult of personality. The 2024 Republican National Convention served as a "sanctification" of Trump, where delegates displayed fervent, almost religious, devotion. This cult of personality, fueled by claims of divine intervention after the assassination attempt, allowed him to maintain an iron grip on the Republican Party, effectively rebuilding it in his image. His political machine, though lacking traditional discipline, thrives on his "own mania" and his ability to connect with a base that feels deeply alienated by mainstream politics.

Savvy populism. Despite his perceived toxicity, Trump's GOP has shown a surprising savviness in adapting its message, particularly by eating away at Democratic working-class support. This involves:

• Denouncing mass migration, resonating with Black and Spanish-speaking Americans.
• Downplaying opposition to abortion, avoiding a federal ban.
• Embracing left-wing economics rhetoric, skeptical of corporate power.
  This strategic shift, exemplified by his choice of J.D. Vance as VP, allowed him to appeal to voters beyond his traditional base, focusing on culture war issues while abandoning traditional supply-side dogma.

3. Joe Biden's Self-Inflicted Political Demise and Party Disarray

The June 27 clash between Biden and Trump—the first time a current and former president had collided in a televised debate—would turn out to be the most consequential presidential debate of the modern era, maybe ever.

Debate disaster. Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance on June 27, 2024, served as the undeniable catalyst for his eventual withdrawal from the presidential race. His visible cognitive decline, marked by incoherent sentences and fumbled facts, exposed what many had privately suspected for years, shattering the "Biden Lie" that his age was not a problem. This event triggered a rapid and widespread revolt within the Democratic Party, from liberal pundits to influential donors and congressional leaders.

Establishment enabling. For at least two years, the Democratic political and media establishment had actively suppressed concerns about Biden's age, dismissing them as "right-wing disinformation." This collective "gullibility and willfully blind" approach, driven by a desire to defeat Trump and a belief in the 2020 playbook, ultimately led them into a trap. They had "earned" this crisis by failing to hold Biden accountable or pressure him to step aside earlier, thereby foreclosing an open primary that could have produced a stronger candidate.

Foregone primary. Biden's ambition to secure a second term, despite his visible decline, led him to "throttle not one but two national primaries." His decision to run in 2024, after implicitly promising to be a "bridge" to the next generation, prevented a robust competition among younger, more capable Democratic politicians. This left the party with Kamala Harris as the only viable alternative, a candidate with a "horrendous electoral track record" who ascended without having to win a single primary vote, further highlighting the party's internal disarray and lack of democratic process.

4. The Fading Influence of Recent Social Justice Movements

Black Lives Matter morphed into Defund the Police, which burned brightly before petering out.

Momentum lost. The social justice movements of the last decade, including Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and the "Trust the Science" ethos of the pandemic, have experienced a significant backlash and a decline in their mainstream influence. Black Lives Matter, after its resurgence in 2020, saw its radicalized "Defund the Police" demands largely recede, with police reform discussions becoming less prominent and some progressive prosecutors being driven from office. The movement now appears "frail," needing tragedy to galvanize voters, and even then, its impact is uncertain.

Overreach and blowback. The #MeToo movement, while achieving important gains in addressing workplace harassment, also suffered from perceived overreach, such as the forced resignation of Al Franken, which created "liberal martyrs" and damaged the political standing of figures like Kirsten Gillibrand. Similarly, the "Trust the Science" narrative around Covid-19 policies, particularly prolonged school closures and vaccine mandates based on the premise of complete virus spread prevention, led to public distrust and fueled the anti-vax movement when initial claims proved inaccurate.

Shifting priorities. The initial unanimity and corporate embrace of racial justice causes in 2020 did not translate into sustained policy change or institutional commitment for other progressive causes. The immigrant rights movement, for example, saw its "Abolish ICE" demands fade as President Biden adopted more restrictive border policies. This overall "left in retreat" suggests that while some small-bore reforms occurred, the sweeping changes sought by activists have largely failed to materialize, and the political landscape has shifted away from these movements' peak influence.

5. Israel/Palestine: A Deepening Generational and Ideological Rift

To ask an American Jew to account for Israel is not so different than demanding an answer from them for the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

Uncomfortable burden. The Israel-Palestine conflict has become a deeply polarizing issue in American politics, particularly for American Jews who are often "forced to answer for a nation that we are not bound to in any meaningful way." The author, an Ashkenazi Jew, expresses a personal "uneasy relationship" with Israel, highlighting the disconnect between his American identity and the expectation to defend a foreign nation-state's actions. This sentiment reflects a growing desire among some American Jews for a "divorce between the nation and greater Jewry."

Generational divide. A significant generational gap has emerged, with voters under thirty-five increasingly viewing Israel as an "oppressor state" and prioritizing Palestinian suffering, often seeing Hamas's actions as secondary to "seventy-five years of colonialism." Older generations, conversely, tend to support Israel's right to self-defense and struggle to reconcile with the youth's anti-Zionist stance. This divide is exacerbated by the rise of right-wing Israeli governments, which have alienated many liberal Zionists and mainstream Democrats.

Political consequences. The conflict has profoundly impacted Democratic politics, as seen in Chuck Schumer's unprecedented call for new Israeli elections, signaling a "deep exhaustion with Netanyahu" among mainstream Democrats. However, the "Palestine Left," while gaining traction among youth and through movements like "uncommitted" votes, remains largely "leaderless" and struggles to translate protest into concrete political power. Figures like Ritchie Torres and John Fetterman, who staunchly defend Israel, represent a hardline Democratic faction that is increasingly out of step with the party's evolving base, especially as Israel's actions in Gaza erode its moral standing.

6. A New Cultural Romanticism and the Rise of the Microculture

A new romanticism arrived, butting up against and even outright rejecting the empiricism that had reigned for a significant chunk of this century.

Rejection of empiricism. The 2020s are witnessing a "new romanticism," a cultural rebellion against the dominance of technology, algorithms, and the "empiricism" that characterized much of the 21st century. This shift is marked by a growing distrust in "Trust the Science" narratives, a decline in traditional religious observance, and a surge in "spirituality" encompassing astrology, witchcraft, and manifestation, particularly among the young. This movement is a response to the perceived failures and dehumanizing aspects of digital life and rapid technological change.

Microculture's expansion. The internet, while initially fostering techno-optimism, has led to "an inhuman future" where smartphones destroy attention spans and traditional media models collapse. In this landscape, the "microculture" is expanding "explosively," driven by platforms like TikTok and YouTube, which prioritize short videos, memes, and decentralized content creation. Unlike the "macroculture" of traditional media (Hollywood, major publishers, legacy news), the microculture is bottom-up, offering new avenues for creators and audiences, even if it lacks the stability and prestige of the old guard.

Mesoculture's potential. The author posits that what America truly lacks is a vibrant "mesoculture"—the space between the monolithic macroculture and the fragmented microculture. This middle ground, once occupied by indie rock, alternative newspapers, and blogs, fostered innovation and diverse voices. While the microculture offers growth, it often lacks stability and can feel like "empty calories." The slow resurgence of literary journals and a longing for "physical communion" suggest a potential for the mesoculture to "crawl back," forcing the macroculture to innovate and providing a more hospitable environment for cultural producers.

7. The Democratic Party's Post-Election Identity Crisis

Now Democrats, as in 2016, are staring into the abyss. This time, as in 2004, they have lost the popular vote, a resounding rejection that should trigger a reassessment of all that they do and how, in the first place, they approach the American electorate.

Electoral reckoning. The 2024 election, marked by Donald Trump's popular vote victory and Kamala Harris's defeat, has plunged the Democratic Party into a profound identity crisis. The party's strategy, emboldened by the 2022 midterms, relied heavily on abortion rights and anti-Trump warnings, but failed to resonate with a broader electorate. This "resounding rejection" necessitates a fundamental "reassessment of all that they do," particularly their approach to the American electorate and their reliance on an anointed candidate rather than a tested one.

Failure of anointment. Biden's ego and the Democratic establishment's decision to "sidestep democracy" by preventing an open primary ultimately led to Harris's nomination without her having to "win a single vote." This lack of a "compelling rationale" for her candidacy, coupled with her "horrendous electoral track record," left voters unclear about her vision beyond "We're not going back." The absence of a rigorous primary process meant the party missed an opportunity to forge a stronger candidate and a clearer message, contributing to their electoral downfall.

Lost coalitions. Trump's victory signaled the "dismantling of the Obama coalition," with a significant "surge of new, nonwhite voters into the Republican Party." This included Spanish-speaking constituents in AOC's district and Chinese voters in Bensonhurst, challenging the "whitelash thesis" and demonstrating that identity-first liberalism alone is insufficient. Democrats are urged to embrace a "class-based politics" that addresses material needs like housing, food, and healthcare costs, and to listen to voters who also desire a "tighter border," moving beyond "cosmopolitan demands" that only resonate on college campuses and in corporate boardrooms.

8. The Ineffectiveness and Evolution of the Anti-Trump Resistance

The old anti-Trump resistance, a cottage industry of aggrieved Republicans nostalgic for the Bush years and MSNBC liberals who wailed about the evil Orange Man and his subservience to Vladimir Putin, had no coherent message beyond Trump’s inherent unsuitability for office and their belief that voters, over time, could be browbeaten into blindly supporting Democrats.

Failed strategy. The anti-Trump "Resistance" that emerged after 2016, characterized by "histrionics," "unfocused and self-satisfied" protests, and a constant barrage of "Hitler analogies," ultimately proved ineffective. Its core message, centered on Trump's unsuitability and the threat to democracy, failed to prevent his resurgence and popular vote victory in 2024. This movement, largely online and lacking "coherent message beyond Trump's inherent unsuitability," relied on "outrage" and "catharsis of an ocean of retweets" rather than disciplined, long-term organizing or addressing material conditions.

Lessons from Sanders. Bernie Sanders, despite being dismissed by the Democratic establishment, had "the correct instincts" in 2016, understanding the nation's anguish and distrust in elites. His focus on "class struggle," universal healthcare, and economic issues, rather than solely identity concerns, offered an alternative path that could unite a "multiracial working-class coalition." The Democratic Party's failure to heed his warnings and its subsequent "chastening" in 2022 and 2024 underscore the need for a class-based politics that resonates with voters' tangible needs.

New path forward. The author argues that a new "2017-style resistance" is unlikely and undesirable. Instead, resisting Trump's governance, which now includes full control of Congress and policies that could "immiserate the working class," requires "discipline and sobriety." Democrats must move beyond "radical chic" and "speech wars" to "consider material conditions," listen to diverse voter concerns (including a tighter border), and build durable organizations. The era of "performing woe as publicly as possible" and relying on "condescension and indignation" as pillars of a worldview is over.

9. The Enduring "Outer-Borough" Mindset and Trump's Broad Appeal

If there is a single way, still, to understand Donald Trump, the forty-fifth and forty-seventh president of the United States, it’s to recall the boy gazing out onto the vast, glassy plain of the City and wishing, more than anything else in this life, to belong to that—to be of it, fully, and perhaps one day be its king.

Resentment and ambition. Donald Trump's political identity is deeply rooted in his "outer-borough life" in Queens, a perspective shared by the author from Brooklyn. This mindset is characterized by a blend of "envy and resentment" towards Manhattan elites, coupled with an intense ambition to "dominate America but not Manhattan." Trump's desire to be "of it, fully" and eventually "its king" reflects a drive to overcome perceived outsider status and prove himself to those who would otherwise dismiss him as a "comic book's idea of a rich person."

Working-class connection. This outer-borough sensibility allows Trump to connect with working-class voters, who increasingly see him as "the not-Democrat, the option that wasn't in power." His appeal extends beyond white voters, as evidenced by his growing support among:

• Chinese communities in Bensonhurst.
• Latino populations in Corona.
• Russian and Orthodox Jews.
  These groups, once part of the Democratic coalition, now find Trump's message more compelling than what the Democrats offer, viewing him as someone who understands their struggles and frustrations with the "City" (Manhattan/elites).

Democratic disconnect. The Democratic Party, particularly its "professional class" in gentrified outer-borough neighborhoods, often fails to comprehend this "deep Brooklyn or deep Queens" mindset. Their "condescension and indignation" towards these voters, coupled with the decline of local Democratic "machines" that once provided civic life and patronage, has created a vacuum that Trump has exploited. While Trump's policies may be "insider policies," his persona and rhetoric resonate with those who feel ignored and disrespected by the perceived "Manhattan elites" of the Democratic establishment.

10. The Leaderless Left's Struggle for Sustained Impact

The individual had melted away—more so, even, than in Occupy, Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, or any other leftist upsurge of the last decade.

Absence of leadership. The contemporary left, particularly the "Palestine Left," is characterized by a profound "suspicion of leaders and personalities," leading to a "leaderless" and amorphous structure. This contrasts sharply with historical movements like the civil rights era, which produced numerous iconic figures. While this approach aims to avoid the pitfalls of individual fallibility and digital surveillance, it hinders the movement's ability to coalesce around a unified message or translate protest energy into sustained political power.

Ephemeral impact. Movements like Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter, despite seizing imaginations and permeating the mainstream, ultimately "didn't lead to sweeping policy changes" and "amounted to spectacle and little else." The lack of "enduring organizations with defined, well-regarded leaders" means that when protest energy "ebbs," the movements struggle to maintain momentum and achieve long-term goals. The "uncommitted" movement in the 2024 primaries, while a symbolic success, lacked a "challenger, no actual individual to carry the cause forward," limiting its influence on the convention.

Sanders's unfulfilled legacy. Bernie Sanders, despite being a "leader" for a generation of progressives, has not cultivated a clear successor or a robust organizational vehicle for his politics beyond his own campaigns. His "Our Revolution" initiative "has amounted to little." While he has bequeathed to Democrats a "comprehension, finally, of the need for a class-based politics," his issues, like Medicare for All, have faded from view without a strong, unified leadership to champion them. This highlights the challenge for the left to build lasting power beyond individual charisma or fleeting protest waves.

Last updated: March 10, 2026