They Came For Ibram X Kendi. He’s Still Here.

They Came For Ibram X Kendi. He’s Still Here.

From What Next | Daily News and Analysis by Slate Podcasts

April 13, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the Great Replacement theory in the context of the Trump administration's policies and rhetoric.

Lurking behind—and sometimes explicitly out in front of — the Trump administration’s ire for DEI, its crackdowns on immigration, and its rhetoric about what kind of country America is, is “the Great Replacement theory.” But it’s not an exclusively American problem.  Guest: Ibram X Kendi , author of “How To Be An Antiracist,” “Stamped From The Beginning” and his latest, “Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age.” Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Rob Gunther

Guest: Ibram X Kendi

Topics covered

  • Great Replacement theory
  • DEI
  • immigration
  • Trump administration
  • America

Keywords

  • antiracism
  • authoritarianism

Mentioned in this episode

Products: How To Be An Antiracist, Stamped From The Beginning, Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age

Books & works: How To Be An Antiracist, Stamped From The Beginning, Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age, What Next

Places: America

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