The Wide Angle: Elon Musk and the American Endgame

In my new column for The Washington Spectator, we look at the reality of what Elon Musk is really doing to American government — and why it's so hard to stop.

Elon Musk and the American Endgame | Washington Spectator

In the first weeks of the second Trump presidency, one thing has become clear to the public: Elon Musk is the power behind this administration and Trump is merely doing his bidding.

Washington SpectatorDave Troy

Here's an excerpt:

So here’s a message to Congress: Elon Musk is doing this because 1) he thinks he can get away with overthrowing the government because he is backed by Putin, Xi, Trump, Mohammad bin Salman, and other powerful allies, 2) he is familiar with the work of Curtis Yarvin and other neoreactionary thinkers, and can use that as a recruiting tool to attract vulnerable young men to his scheme, 3) he wishes to impose totalitarian control of the information sphere, which includes financial flows and payments, 4) our institutions offer no meaningful protection from this kind of an attack.

As Americans begin to question who is really in charge — Musk or Trump — we conclude that the only way to defend against this assault on our Constitutional checks and balances is for Congressional Republicans to split into MAGA and institutionalist factions, and form a coalition with Democrats to block Musk. So far, this does not seem to be happening, and many doubt that it is even possible. Read the column, and feel free to share your thoughts.

New Podcast Interviews

Over the last few weeks I have been honored to join as a guest on some podcasts — more coming soon! Please have a listen, and support these creators.

Equality 365 with Isabel Gebien

Politics with Cheri Jacobus

Dave Troy Presents: The Geopolitics of the Russian Orthodox Church with Lucy Ash

This episode features Lucy Ash, an award-winning BBC journalist and documentarian, and her new book The Baton And The Cross: Russia's Church from Pagans to Putin. It offers a terrific overview of the Russian Orthodox Church and its full transformation into a wing of the Russian state under Putin. Russian Orthodoxy is also the kernel of Project Russia. Religion (specifically Russian orthodoxy) is the "great idea" which will enable the realization of the "Third Rome."

The Geopolitics of the Russian Orthodox Church with Lucy Ash - Dave Troy Presents

Dave interviews noted British journalist and documentarian Lucy Ash about her new book, The Baton and the Cross: Russia’s Church from Pagans to Putin. They discuss intricate relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the modern Russian state. The interview explores the history of Orthodoxy in Russia, tracing its origins from medieval times through periods of upheaval, including the Bolshevik Revolution and the Stalinist era. Lucy discusses the personal connections that inspired her to write the book, her early perceptions of the church’s potential for good, and how current events are influenced by historical precedents. The conversation examines key figures such as Patriarch Kirill and President Vladimir Putin, highlighting how orthodoxy has been used to underpin Russian nationalism and policy. The dialogue also touches on the broader social impacts of this relationship, including attitudes towards LGBTQ+ issues and women’s rights. The interview concludes with reflections on Putin’s personal religiosity and his regime’s strategic use of the church to consolidate power. The Baton and the Cross Lucy Ash on X Lucy Ash Website 00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection to Russia 03:55 Historical Background of the Orthodox Church in Russia 08:27 Ivan the Terrible and the Oprichniki 11:40 Peter the Great and Catherine the Great’s Influence 29:13 The Bolshevik Revolution and Its Impact on the Church 40:54 Smuggling Bibles into Eastern Europe 42:33 Religion and State in Russia 44:06 Russian Mysticism and Superstition 46:09 Orthodoxy and Russian Identity 47:44 LGBTQ Issues and Russian Orthodoxy 50:49 Pussy Riot and Church-State Relations 53:03 Domestic Violence and the Church 57:01 Putin’s Spirituality and the Church 01:00:45 The Military Cathedral 01:06:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Podcast.co

Dave Troy Presents: Russia's Third Empire with Dina Khapaeva

This episode features Dina Khapaeva, to update us on her article from 2022, and to ask the important question: why don't Western leaders and policymakers understand the danger we are in? Listen to the episode for the full answer, but the short answer is Westerners really don't want to take the time to understand the Russian worldview, instead preferring to project their own ideas of realpolitik onto the current conflict. This is both troubling and dangerous, as you'll hear, and you'll get an in-depth overview of Project Russia co-author Mikhail Yuriev's book Third Empire. You'll also want to review our episode on Project Russia if you haven't listened to it yet.

Russia’s Third Empire with Dina Khapaeva - Dave Troy Presents

Dave interviews Dina Khapaeva, Russian culture expert at Georgia Tech, about the book “Third Empire: Russia as it ought to be,” written by Mikhail Yuriev, one of the authors of Project Russia, which we have also covered in the last two episodes. Dina specializes in Russian historical memory and contemporary issues. She provides an in-depth background on her research and her personal history, including her family’s experience with Stalinist terror. The discussion focuses on the troubling, far-right ideologies that have been shaping Russia’s political strategy, particularly explored through the lens of Mikhail Yuryev’s novel ‘Third Empire, The Russia That Ought To Be’ and the Project Russia texts. Dr. Penkrmanova explains how these narratives, rooted in neo-Eurasianist ideology and medieval Russian history, inform Putin’s geopolitics and expansionist aims. The conversation also touches on the implications of these ideologies for Western policymakers and the political landscape, emphasizing the urgent need to recognize and respond to these Russian ambitions. The Utopian Russian Novel that Predicted Putin’s War Plan, March 26, 2022 The West Doesn’t Realize How Much Danger It’s In, August 24, 2022 Putin’s Dark Ages, 2023 Dina Khapaeva website 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:17 Early Career and Shift to Sociology 01:00 Focus on Historical Memory 02:24 Current Role at Georgia Tech 02:59 Discussion on Mikhail Yuryev’s Book 03:49 Yuryev’s Influence and Political Connections 07:05 Fortress Russia and Far-Right Ideology 10:18 Neo-Eurasianism and Western Perception 19:57 Summary of ‘Third Empire’ Plot 23:07 Implications of Yuryev’s Vision 32:04 The Devastation of War: Casualties and Destruction 32:58 Russian Ideology: Antichrist and Apocalypse 33:42 Western Perception and Putin’s Strategy 34:34 The Primakov Doctrine and Nuclear Threats 38:14 Yuriev’s Vision: A New Social Order 45:58 The Role of Memory Politics in Russia 51:49 Yuriev’s Influence in the United States 57:21 The Patriarchal Society and Gender Issues 01:00:41 The Urgency of Recognizing the Russian Threat 01:03:10 Conclusion: The Future of Russia and Global Implications

Podcast.co

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