Background Briefing: October 1, 2019
As the Truth Closes In, Trump Spins Alternative Realities
We begin with the extent to which Putin not only interfered with our election to help elect Donald Trump, but examine how the Kremlin has successfully exported their media model of propaganda and fake news which has taken hold at Breitbart and Fox News and has become the instrument to corral Trump’s base into a cult of believers as well as the shield to keep the truth and reality at bay. An expert on the Russian media and culture, Michael Gorham, a Professor of Russian Studies at the University of Florida and author of “After Newspeak: Language Culture and Politics in Russia From Gorbachev to Putin”, joins us to discuss how Trump is following Putin’s playbook, if not following his orders, as he tries to manufacture an alternative reality to the findings in the Mueller Report that the Russian GRU hacked into the DNC and Podesta’s emails. In pursuing a debunked conspiracy theory that the Ukrainians somehow did it in concert with Hillary Clinton, the president not only has dragged the young reformist leader in Ukraine into this delusional political fantasy, but Trump has also leaned on the Australian Prime Minister who was installed as the country’s leader by Fox News’ Rupert Murdoch, to work with Trump’s Roy Cohn, the Attorney General. Barr has been tasked by Trump to conjure up an alternative reality to the genesis of the Mueller Report and is scouring the world pressuring allies into helping him investigate the investigators by manufacturing “evidence” that the “deep state” was spying on Trump.
All You Need to Know About Mike Pence Who Could Be Our Next President
Then, with an impeachment inquiry underway which could lead to Vice President Mike Pence being the country’s next leader, we speak with Tom LoBianco, who has covered Mike Pence from the statehouse to the White House for the Associated Press, CNN and the Indianapolis Star. He joins us to discuss his latest book, just out, “Piety & Power: Mike Pence and the Taking of the White House”. We will discuss how Trump did not want Pence as his VP but instead wanted his daughter Ivanka, and how this overtly pious man working for a foul-mouthed vulgarian who pays off porn stars and grabs women’s private parts, continues to subordinate his religious and moral principles to political expedience and the pursuit of power.
Xi Jinping Stages a Military Parade to Promote Himself and the Communist Party on the PRC’s 70th Anniversary
Then finally we examine the military parade Xi Jinping put on for himself to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and speak with an expert on the Chinese military and government, June Dreyer, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami who was the Asia Advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations. We will discuss how in spite of growing concerns about China’s increasing military might, the de-coupling of the U.S. and China’s economic interdependence is not likely to happen soon.