Thomas Zimmer
@thomaszimmer.bsky.social
Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https://democracyamericana.com - Podcast: Is This Democracy https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/is-this-democracy
Pinned
Thomas Zimmer
@thomaszimmer.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Onward. Forward. Steady.
Things have really changed. Now I need your help.
steady.page
Some major personal news:
Things have really changed. Now I need your help.
On why I left academia, why I left America, and why I need your support as I am starting over as a full-time independent writer:
Onward. Forward. Steady:
Things have really changed. Now I need your help.
On why I left academia, why I left America, and why I need your support as I am starting over as a full-time independent writer:
Onward. Forward. Steady:
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
Happy New Year!
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
steady.page
January 1, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Happy New Year!
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
Happy New Year!
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
steady.page
January 1, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Happy New Year!
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
Start 2026 the right way: With almost 6,000 words on where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are You Going, America?
I dive deep into “The Price of American Authoritarianism,” a crucial essay Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, and Danile Ziblatt published in Foreign Affairs - an opportunity to take stock of where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Where Are Aou Going, America?
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
steady.page
January 1, 2026 at 6:17 PM
I dive deep into “The Price of American Authoritarianism,” a crucial essay Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, and Danile Ziblatt published in Foreign Affairs - an opportunity to take stock of where the country stands, how much damage has been done, and what might come next.
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
Where Are Aou Going, America?
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
steady.page
January 1, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Where Are Aou Going, America?
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
Where Are Aou Going, America?
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
steady.page
January 1, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Where Are Aou Going, America?
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
At the start of 2026, America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work.
The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece:
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece, to start 2026:
America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece, to start 2026:
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. Authoritarianism has not won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
steady.page
January 1, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Where Are You Going, America?
America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece, to start 2026:
America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. But merely restoring the pre-Trump status quo won’t work. The country needs a democratic transformation.
My new piece, to start 2026:
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
Sunday reading:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
steady.page
December 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Sunday reading:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
Sunday reading:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
steady.page
December 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Sunday reading:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
I wrote about the MAGA civil war - about the different factions and what they want, the dynamics that are shaping the Right, and where MAGA is headed as the end of Trump’s reign is looming on the horizon.
This week’s piece:
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
The first part of this piece is free for everyone. If you want to read more than the preview or gain access to the audio version, please consider becoming a paid member of Democracy Americana, which is solely funded by readers:
The first part of this piece is free for everyone. If you want to read more than the preview or gain access to the audio version, please consider becoming a paid member of Democracy Americana, which is solely funded by readers:
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
steady.page
December 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
The first part of this piece is free for everyone. If you want to read more than the preview or gain access to the audio version, please consider becoming a paid member of Democracy Americana, which is solely funded by readers:
The first part of this piece is free for everyone. If you want to read more than the preview or gain access to the audio version, please consider becoming a paid member of Democracy Americana, which is solely funded by readers:
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
"we are into the twilight of the Trump era – the end of his reign as the Right’s leader is looming. . . .The conflict has entered a different phase, and the Trumpist Right is ill-prepared for the prolonged struggle that is next." - @thomaszimmer.bsky.social
democracyamericana.com/posts/279fc0...
democracyamericana.com/posts/279fc0...
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
democracyamericana.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"we are into the twilight of the Trump era – the end of his reign as the Right’s leader is looming. . . .The conflict has entered a different phase, and the Trumpist Right is ill-prepared for the prolonged struggle that is next." - @thomaszimmer.bsky.social
democracyamericana.com/posts/279fc0...
democracyamericana.com/posts/279fc0...
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
steady.page
December 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
My new piece:
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
My new piece:
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
steady.page
December 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
My new piece:
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
My new piece:
Christopher Rufo, one of America's most successful, most shameless grievance entrepreneurs who rose to fame by fueling racist, sexist panics on the Right while packaging them in a way that helped launder them for a mainstream audience, says he's really concerned about all the conspiracy theories...
*Chris Rufo* warns X is making the right too conspiratorial:
"Americans can stick to...empirical reality or...follow conspiracy theories... For the Right, the danger is that an increasingly large fraction of our political coalition is choosing the second path"
christopherrufo.com/p/how-the-me...
"Americans can stick to...empirical reality or...follow conspiracy theories... For the Right, the danger is that an increasingly large fraction of our political coalition is choosing the second path"
christopherrufo.com/p/how-the-me...
December 18, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Christopher Rufo, one of America's most successful, most shameless grievance entrepreneurs who rose to fame by fueling racist, sexist panics on the Right while packaging them in a way that helped launder them for a mainstream audience, says he's really concerned about all the conspiracy theories...
The pervasive worldview among America's elites is that the powerful should be exempt from criticism regardless of their behavior, and those of lesser status must be disciplined if they defy this rule and dare to object. Gotta stand together to protect privilege against the barbarians at the gates!
Harvard officials are reportedly secretly investigating two students for their roles in drawing scrutiny to the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and ex-president Larry Summers
Harvard Secretly Investigates Students Over Larry Summers Video on Epstein
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The pervasive worldview among America's elites is that the powerful should be exempt from criticism regardless of their behavior, and those of lesser status must be disciplined if they defy this rule and dare to object. Gotta stand together to protect privilege against the barbarians at the gates!
Smart and incisive reflections on what to make of the Wiles drama in this great thread:
Some takeaways from the Susie Wiles interview in no particular order. 1) Before anyone congratulates her on telling the truth, we must first acknowledge that when it comes to the craziest and most unqualified cabinet members...she absolutely fucking loves it because deep state something something.
December 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Smart and incisive reflections on what to make of the Wiles drama in this great thread:
"Archie Bunker for President" - a great new book by the wonderful @oscarwinberg.bsky.social, on the intersection between entertainment, media, and politics. Such an important aspect of the pre-history of now.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
While we are all thinking about a beautiful soul, now departed, and all his wondrous works, here's what looks like a fascinating new book on one of them.
uncpress.org/978146969090...
uncpress.org/978146969090...
Archie Bunker for President
Delving into the intersection of television entertainment and American politics during the 1970s, focusing on the sitcom All in the Family, this book explore...
uncpress.org
December 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"Archie Bunker for President" - a great new book by the wonderful @oscarwinberg.bsky.social, on the intersection between entertainment, media, and politics. Such an important aspect of the pre-history of now.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
Sunday reading: I wrote about how the regime’s latest racist hate campaign is tied to the Right’s broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist
steady.page
December 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Sunday reading: I wrote about how the regime’s latest racist hate campaign is tied to the Right’s broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
Sunday reading: I wrote about how the regime’s latest racist hate campaign is tied to the Right’s broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist
steady.page
December 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Sunday reading: I wrote about how the regime’s latest racist hate campaign is tied to the Right’s broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism:
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
This is bracing and thorough, and it brings the receipts. I also appreciate the acknowledgement that “America has never lived up to the egalitarian promise is has often claimed as reality.”
We aren’t looking to regain some promised land. We’re looking to try again, as a nation, to be better.
We aren’t looking to regain some promised land. We’re looking to try again, as a nation, to be better.
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece:
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist
steady.page
December 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This is bracing and thorough, and it brings the receipts. I also appreciate the acknowledgement that “America has never lived up to the egalitarian promise is has often claimed as reality.”
We aren’t looking to regain some promised land. We’re looking to try again, as a nation, to be better.
We aren’t looking to regain some promised land. We’re looking to try again, as a nation, to be better.
If you find these deep-dive explorations - this one comes in at over 4,000 words - helpful, you can subscribe to Democracy Americana for free. Or, better yet: Consider becoming a paid member.
As an independent writer, I fully rely on the support of my readers to make this work possible. Thank you!
As an independent writer, I fully rely on the support of my readers to make this work possible. Thank you!
December 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
If you find these deep-dive explorations - this one comes in at over 4,000 words - helpful, you can subscribe to Democracy Americana for free. Or, better yet: Consider becoming a paid member.
As an independent writer, I fully rely on the support of my readers to make this work possible. Thank you!
As an independent writer, I fully rely on the support of my readers to make this work possible. Thank you!
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
Weekend reading:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist
steady.page
December 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Weekend reading:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
@thomaszimmer.bsky.social & Democracy Americana building a brand as one of the sharpest most honest analysis of the moment.
Very worth the Follow and subscribe.
democracyamericana.com/posts/6fcf57...
Very worth the Follow and subscribe.
democracyamericana.com/posts/6fcf57...
December 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
@thomaszimmer.bsky.social & Democracy Americana building a brand as one of the sharpest most honest analysis of the moment.
Very worth the Follow and subscribe.
democracyamericana.com/posts/6fcf57...
Very worth the Follow and subscribe.
democracyamericana.com/posts/6fcf57...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmer
“Vance, Schmitt, and Miller want to abolish birthright citizenship because they understand precisely that what is enshrined in the 14th Amendment is fundamentally incompatible with their blood-and-soil nationalism. “
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece:
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist
steady.page
December 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“Vance, Schmitt, and Miller want to abolish birthright citizenship because they understand precisely that what is enshrined in the 14th Amendment is fundamentally incompatible with their blood-and-soil nationalism. “
Weekend reading:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist
steady.page
December 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Weekend reading:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
My new piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece:
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece:
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist
steady.page
December 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Trumpism Is at War with the Idea of a Citizenry of Equals
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece:
The regime’s latest racist fury is tied to the Right’s much broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision.
New piece: