The United States faces enormous challenges, but it is inspiring to see new political innovation emerging. New York is New York; you cannot simply copy this story elsewhere, but you can certainly learn from it.

Here is to democracy 2.0, for the people, with the people. 4/4

Mamdani brings something fresh: progressive substance, authentic narrative, a relatable style, and grassroots organizing for the precarious majorities living through today’s polycrisis. 3/4

His politics offer a real alternative to Trumpism. If we want to defeat illiberalism for good, identity politics and moral panics won't be enough. We need a democratic politics that also targets the material conditions that make illiberalism appealing: insecurity, despair, and unmet basic needs. 2/4

Same in Hungary: fifteen years in power, and Orbán still finds ways to perform victimhood again & again.
More on the Kimmel story: edition.cnn.com/2025/09/17/m... 8/8

Fourth: discursively, it’s fascinating how the world’s most powerful man still manages to speak as a victim.
Trump said ABC showed “courage” in canceling Kimmel—casting liberalism, the “deep state,” or PC culture as the real oppressor. 7/8

Third: the FCC angle. Using regulatory power to push outlets toward self-censorship is a classic Orbán tactic. Carr’s talk of enforcing the “public interest” recalls Hungary’s sovereignty bill, where “national interest” justified silencing critics. 6/8

Hungary doesn’t have the layered media landscape of the U.S., but aligning local broadcasters & print media with the government has been central to Orbán’s strategy. Loyalty is not just ideological—it’s profitable. 5/8

Such attacks demonstratively raise the cost of speaking up and speaking out.
Second: the role of local media owners is also familiar. Orbán’s crew systematically went after outlets—buying them up or forcing them into compliance. 4/8

Trump promised to go after Kimmel right after celebrating Colbert’s cancellation, and Kirk’s assassination gave him a political opening. But this is just a fig leaf—personally targeted campaigns are the lifeblood of Orbán’s regime too. 3/8

Still, the story is eerily familiar to anyone who has followed Orbán’s politics.
First: it’s a nationally orchestrated campaign to hunt down media figures who challenge Trump. No authoritarian leader likes being the butt of the joke. 2/8

So here's what @gscheiring.bsky.social told me. "Most of Orban's tactical weapons to take over the media resemble the moves that led to Colbert's cancellation," he said:

Thanks for sharing, and glad you liked it!

Thank you!