Shikha Dalmia
@shikhadalmia.bsky.social
President, Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism. Founder @ismapolicy.bsky.social. Editor, The UnPopulist www.theunpopulist.net. Classically liberal. Hate dogmas, esp my own. Rightwing populism is the threat of our time to liberal democracy.
Corruption and cruelty go hand in hand in this administration.
The relentless commitment to corruption from this administration continues to astound.
Trump Pardons His Honduran Strongman Buddy Convicted of Cocaine Trafficking as Hegseth Executes Venezuelans Suspected of Drug Smuggling: An Executive Watch Roundup
Our early-December selection of the president's latest and greatest assaults on the rule of law
www.theunpopulist.net
December 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Corruption and cruelty go hand in hand in this administration.
Is @theunpopulist.net doing something right or something wrong that it was quoted (favorably) by Tom Edsall of The New York Times and (unfavorably) Laura Loomer of Crazy Land in the same week?
December 6, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Is @theunpopulist.net doing something right or something wrong that it was quoted (favorably) by Tom Edsall of The New York Times and (unfavorably) Laura Loomer of Crazy Land in the same week?
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
The right is no longer conservative in any sense of the word.
They seek to conserve nothing.
Their only remaining impulse is a desire to dominate and destroy.
Every word of this from @tomgpalmer.bsky.social. 👇
They seek to conserve nothing.
Their only remaining impulse is a desire to dominate and destroy.
Every word of this from @tomgpalmer.bsky.social. 👇
December 3, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The right is no longer conservative in any sense of the word.
They seek to conserve nothing.
Their only remaining impulse is a desire to dominate and destroy.
Every word of this from @tomgpalmer.bsky.social. 👇
They seek to conserve nothing.
Their only remaining impulse is a desire to dominate and destroy.
Every word of this from @tomgpalmer.bsky.social. 👇
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
Trump's transformation of the presidential pardon power into an all-purpose instrument for his most depraved and corrupt instincts is truly horrifying.
@tracinski.bsky.social lays it all out in his latest for @theunpopulist.net
Read this and weep
@tracinski.bsky.social lays it all out in his latest for @theunpopulist.net
Read this and weep
Trump’s Pardons Cover Every Conceivable Form of Corruption
He is doling them to crooks, cronies, campaign contributors, violent insurrectionists, child sex offenders, convicted drug dealers, and others
www.theunpopulist.net
December 5, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Trump's transformation of the presidential pardon power into an all-purpose instrument for his most depraved and corrupt instincts is truly horrifying.
@tracinski.bsky.social lays it all out in his latest for @theunpopulist.net
Read this and weep
@tracinski.bsky.social lays it all out in his latest for @theunpopulist.net
Read this and weep
Yes, this is fucking depraved!
They’re killing people as a twitter joke. It’s depraved. Can’t let yourself lose the capacity to be appalled and disgusted and outraged by this.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces another boat strike in response to a request/wish from Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet.
December 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Yes, this is fucking depraved!
Every day as news breaks of yet another corrupt pardon by Trump, we become inured. But when @tracinski.bsky.social put it all together @theunpopulist.net, the picture is jaw dropping. My alternative head was "There Are No Words to Describe Trump's Corrupt Pardons." open.substack.com/pub/theunpop...
Trump’s Pardons Cover Every Conceivable Form of Corruption
He is doling them to crooks, cronies, campaign contributors, violent insurrectionists, child sex offenders, convicted drug dealers, and others
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Every day as news breaks of yet another corrupt pardon by Trump, we become inured. But when @tracinski.bsky.social put it all together @theunpopulist.net, the picture is jaw dropping. My alternative head was "There Are No Words to Describe Trump's Corrupt Pardons." open.substack.com/pub/theunpop...
Ilhan Omar is 100% right: "The president knows he is failing, and so he is reverting to what he knows best: trying to divert attention by stoking bigotry." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/o...
Opinion | Ilhan Omar: Trump Knows He’s Failing. Cue the Bigotry.
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Ilhan Omar is 100% right: "The president knows he is failing, and so he is reverting to what he knows best: trying to divert attention by stoking bigotry." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/o...
Trump accused Haitians of eating pets. Now he is calling Somalis garbage, a term that a MAGA speaker also used for Puerto Rico at a Trump rally. He has accused Mexicans of being rapists and criminals. He is turning America into a barbarian country except that that is an insult to barbarians.
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Trump accused Haitians of eating pets. Now he is calling Somalis garbage, a term that a MAGA speaker also used for Puerto Rico at a Trump rally. He has accused Mexicans of being rapists and criminals. He is turning America into a barbarian country except that that is an insult to barbarians.
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
i'd go even further and say there is a reason even nixon kept this kind of stuff to himself. you would have to go back quite a bit to find a point at which is acceptable for a president to say anything like this *in public*, to say nothing of in the oval office.
I don’t want to be pollyannish about the past, but it was basically inconceivable twenty years ago that a president would say this publicly
Trump: "It’s a hellhole right now. And those Somalians should be out of here. They've destroyed our country. And all they do is complain, complain, complain. You have her. She’s always talking about the Constitution provides me with – go back to your own country and figure out your constitution."
December 3, 2025 at 11:04 PM
i'd go even further and say there is a reason even nixon kept this kind of stuff to himself. you would have to go back quite a bit to find a point at which is acceptable for a president to say anything like this *in public*, to say nothing of in the oval office.
Hegseth is scum for throwing Bradley under the bust. But if he was willing to interpret any ambiguity in Hegseth's instructions in the direction of maximum war criminality, then he deserves to be maximally "scrutinized" and maximally punished. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
After Decades in Combat, a SEAL Suddenly Comes Under Scrutiny
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Hegseth is scum for throwing Bradley under the bust. But if he was willing to interpret any ambiguity in Hegseth's instructions in the direction of maximum war criminality, then he deserves to be maximally "scrutinized" and maximally punished. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
From targeting immigration in general they went to targeting specific groups (Mexicans are rapists and criminals, Third World immigrants come from shithole countries). Now from targeting specific groups they have gone on to targeting specific individuals. Shame on them.
In case you were wondering, this oped is even worse than the headline
December 3, 2025 at 12:03 AM
From targeting immigration in general they went to targeting specific groups (Mexicans are rapists and criminals, Third World immigrants come from shithole countries). Now from targeting specific groups they have gone on to targeting specific individuals. Shame on them.
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
In a new NYT essay, @shikhadalmia.bsky.social is quoted extensively on the future of Trump’s MAGA movement. This is excellent stuff.
December 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
In a new NYT essay, @shikhadalmia.bsky.social is quoted extensively on the future of Trump’s MAGA movement. This is excellent stuff.
The Trump administration is not hypocritical, it is depraved. On one hand, it is commiting war crimes to kill SUSPECTED narco terrorists. OTOH, this POTUS is pardoning PROVEN narco terrorists who are his friends. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Trump Administration Live Updates: Honduran Ex-President Is Freed From Prison After Pardon
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Trump administration is not hypocritical, it is depraved. On one hand, it is commiting war crimes to kill SUSPECTED narco terrorists. OTOH, this POTUS is pardoning PROVEN narco terrorists who are his friends. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Belief in: Nation. State. Violent Masculinity. Restoration of Mythic Past. Racial Purity. These are the core concepts that define a fascist. And they fit Musk to the tee! @polphilpod.bsky.social's excellent debut piece at @theunpopulist.net.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/even-by-a-...
www.theunpopulist.net/p/even-by-a-...
Even by a Strict Definition, Elon Musk Is a Fascist
He is weaponizing Tolkien to promote violence by ‘hard men’ against Asian immigrants
www.theunpopulist.net
December 1, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Belief in: Nation. State. Violent Masculinity. Restoration of Mythic Past. Racial Purity. These are the core concepts that define a fascist. And they fit Musk to the tee! @polphilpod.bsky.social's excellent debut piece at @theunpopulist.net.
www.theunpopulist.net/p/even-by-a-...
www.theunpopulist.net/p/even-by-a-...
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
Brand new at @theunpopulist.net, @polphilpod.bsky.social's fascinating piece showing how Elon Musk's deployment of Tolkien is straightforwardly fascist.
Even by a Strict Definition, Elon Musk Is a Fascist
He is weaponizing Tolkien to promote violence by ‘hard men’ against Asian immigrants
www.theunpopulist.net
November 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Brand new at @theunpopulist.net, @polphilpod.bsky.social's fascinating piece showing how Elon Musk's deployment of Tolkien is straightforwardly fascist.
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
"you can't just throw the word fascism around"
ok, so here's my argument for it, grounded in political theory & history
ok, so here's my argument for it, grounded in political theory & history
i wrote about musk's claim the english are 'like hobbits' invaded by orc immigrants
my 1st piece with @theunpopulist.net
www.theunpopulist.net/p/even-by-a-...
my 1st piece with @theunpopulist.net
www.theunpopulist.net/p/even-by-a-...
Even by a Strict Definition, Elon Musk Is a Fascist
He is weaponizing Tolkien to promote violence by ‘hard men’ against Asian immigrants
www.theunpopulist.net
November 30, 2025 at 6:47 PM
"you can't just throw the word fascism around"
ok, so here's my argument for it, grounded in political theory & history
ok, so here's my argument for it, grounded in political theory & history
If you are confused by the rise of a virulent Christian nationalism that turns every precept of its faith on its head, then you’d want to listen to this fantastic podcast by
@bernybelvedere.bsky.social at @theunpopulist.net
. tinyurl.com/25cbyzzd
@bernybelvedere.bsky.social at @theunpopulist.net
. tinyurl.com/25cbyzzd
A Persecution Complex Links the Pilgrims and Christian Nationalism: A Conversation With Tyler Huckabee
Evangelicals are espousing a faith based on their political project, not a sincere interpretation of the Bible
www.theunpopulist.net
November 29, 2025 at 3:14 PM
If you are confused by the rise of a virulent Christian nationalism that turns every precept of its faith on its head, then you’d want to listen to this fantastic podcast by
@bernybelvedere.bsky.social at @theunpopulist.net
. tinyurl.com/25cbyzzd
@bernybelvedere.bsky.social at @theunpopulist.net
. tinyurl.com/25cbyzzd
If you still think that the left is a bigger problem, go get your head examined or admit you have surrendered any sense of morality and elementary decency:
November 28, 2025 at 7:03 PM
If you still think that the left is a bigger problem, go get your head examined or admit you have surrendered any sense of morality and elementary decency:
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
If you want to sneak away today and hide in some headphones, you won't do better than my conversation with @andycraig.bsky.social and @shikhadalmia.bsky.social of @theunpopulist.net about what comes after Trumpism. pod.link/1614436300/e...
094: A New American Reconstruction (w/ Andy Craig and Shikha Dalmia)
Listen to 094: A New American Reconstruction (w/ Andy Craig and Shikha Dalmia) from ReImagining Liberty wherever you get your podcasts!
pod.link
November 27, 2025 at 7:44 PM
If you want to sneak away today and hide in some headphones, you won't do better than my conversation with @andycraig.bsky.social and @shikhadalmia.bsky.social of @theunpopulist.net about what comes after Trumpism. pod.link/1614436300/e...
When I visited China, I recall Beijing constantly browbeating rural peasants visiting cities to dress and behave appropriately. There were signs and billboards all around. It was so paternalistic and snobbish. And, now, here we are!
Duffy on his demand that air travelers not wear slippers or pajamas: "It honors our country ... don't take your shoes off and put your feet on the chair ahead of you"
November 25, 2025 at 3:35 AM
When I visited China, I recall Beijing constantly browbeating rural peasants visiting cities to dress and behave appropriately. There were signs and billboards all around. It was so paternalistic and snobbish. And, now, here we are!
Thanks for letting us pontificate and your piercing questions:
What comes after Trump? It won't be a return to the status quo but instead a new American Reconstruction. Today on the show I'm joined by The UnPopulist's @andycraig.bsky.social and @shikhadalmia.bsky.social to discuss what that reforged American democracy will look like.
ReImagining Liberty 094: A New American Reconstruction
A conversation with Andy Craig and Shikha Dalmia
www.aaronrosspowell.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Thanks for letting us pontificate and your piercing questions:
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
The BBC was guilty of sloppy editing. That's undeniable. But to make the BBC’s error the most salient aspect of this story is to play into Trump’s hands and do his bidding.
Trump Goes After the BBC for Telling True Lies About His Insurrection
He and the U.K. right are making bad faith attacks on the broadcaster to extract a heavy price for a small editorial error
www.theunpopulist.net
November 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The BBC was guilty of sloppy editing. That's undeniable. But to make the BBC’s error the most salient aspect of this story is to play into Trump’s hands and do his bidding.
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
“The best researched and most comprehensive account of the New Right that has appeared—or is likely to.”
From William Galston’s reflections on @lkatfield.bsky.social’s superb new book.
From William Galston’s reflections on @lkatfield.bsky.social’s superb new book.
The Neo-Right's Multi-Front Revolt Against America
A political theorist traces the intellectual history of the various strains of a movement gone rogue
www.theunpopulist.net
November 23, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“The best researched and most comprehensive account of the New Right that has appeared—or is likely to.”
From William Galston’s reflections on @lkatfield.bsky.social’s superb new book.
From William Galston’s reflections on @lkatfield.bsky.social’s superb new book.
Reposted by Shikha Dalmia
Super knowledgeable discussion of Trump 2.0 and beyond by @aaronrosspowell.com @shikhadalmia.bsky.social and @andycraig.bsky.social
www.theunpopulist.net/p/america-wi...
www.theunpopulist.net/p/america-wi...
America Will Need a Reconstruction Project After Trump: A Conversation with Shikha Dalmia and Andy Craig
Liberals will have to rebuild the institutions of governance and accountability that Trump is destroying and The UnPopulist plans to lead the way
www.theunpopulist.net
November 23, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Super knowledgeable discussion of Trump 2.0 and beyond by @aaronrosspowell.com @shikhadalmia.bsky.social and @andycraig.bsky.social
www.theunpopulist.net/p/america-wi...
www.theunpopulist.net/p/america-wi...