Reality Reshaped

Reality Reshaped

From Autocracy in America by The Atlantic

January 23, 2026 · 30 min · Season 3 · Episode 3

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of political actions on medicine and education through the lens of Joan Brugge's experiences and Ruth Ben-Ghiat's insights on autocracy.

Joan Brugge has worked for nearly 50 years as a cancer scientist, studying the earliest signs that someone might become sick. Then the Trump administration canceled her lab’s funding. The administration’s attacks on medicine, culture, and education—which include funding cuts and verbal threats—are about more than just budgeting and bravado. Our host, Anne Applebaum, speaks with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University and the author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, who argues that this effort is part of a larger autocratic project to maintain power. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Anne Applebaum

Guest: Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Topics covered

  • cancer research
  • autocracy
  • political attacks
  • funding cuts
  • history
  • education

Keywords

  • cancer scientist
  • Trump administration
  • funding cuts
  • autocratic project
  • politics
  • education
  • history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Trump administration, New York University, The Atlantic

Books & works: Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present

More episodes of Autocracy in America

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Autocracy in America podcast page.