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Un-Trumping America summary
A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again
25 mins
Brief summary
Un-Trumping America by Dan Pfeiffer is a political book that analyzes the 'Trump Era' in American politics. It offers practical steps for the country to take, in order to recover and reclaim its place as a democracy for the people.
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Un-Trumping America
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Trump may be unique, but Trumpism is a bigger, more dangerous threat.
Back in 2016 – before the critical US election, before Trump’s inauguration, before the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, before the Muslim travel ban, ...oh, you get the idea – the author Dan Pfeiffer found himself at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
He wasn’t there for fun, you understand. A mainstay of the Democratic party for some 20 years who worked closely with Barack Obama, Pfeiffer was there as a CNN analyst. As a Trump supporter took to the stage, Pfeiffer leaned over to a friendly Republican in the Never Trump camp. He must be looking forward to after November, Pfeiffer said sympathetically, when Trump had lost and all his crazy followers had left the Republican party.
The Never Trumper responded, “Are you kidding me?” These people, the Republican believed, were here to stay.
As Pfeiffer soon realized, he was right.
The key message here is: Trump may be unique, but Trumpism is a bigger, more dangerous threat.
Now, you may well be wondering if “Trumpism” is really a coherent set of values. True, “the Donald” is hardly a philosopher – rather, he seems to have a remarkable and terrifying absence of any particular beliefs at all.
But there are some key strands that add up to something like a list of political principles… if you can call them that. For instance: lie. Promote racial divides. Hate on the press. Use propaganda. Win at all costs.
Trump, as it happens, is particularly good at these things. And in doing them, he’s simply tapped into the very worst instincts of a lot of other people in the Republican party.
You could even say that he’s settled a long-running Republican party debate. The last decade of Republican politics has been defined by a civil war. On the one side were wealthy establishment figures keen on Reagan and the Bushes, and on the other were those who hated Obama, listened to commentators like Rush Limbaugh, and generally wanted to disrupt business as usual – despite having very little practical experience in politics. These people used to be called the Tea Party, and are now the Freedom Caucus.
Though it’s strange to use these words, Trump has healed this divide. He has kept the focus on race and the anti-establishment energy of the Tea Party, while making policies – like his tax agenda – that establishment figures love. The result is something with such broad appeal among Republicans that it’s bound to continue long after Trump has gone.
Which means that Democrats need to up their game.
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What is Un-Trumping America about?
Un-Trumping America (2020) is former Obama advisor Dan Pfeiffer’s playbook for beating Donald Trump and fixing the broken system of American democracy. Filled with practical campaigning and policy suggestions, it’s an ambitious guide to a brighter future.
Un-Trumping America Review
Un-Trumping America (2020) offers a thoughtful analysis of the Trump presidency and provides insights on how to move forward as a country. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides a well-reasoned critique of the Trump administration's policies and their impact on America's institutions and values.
- Drawing on personal experiences and insider knowledge, the author offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of working in the Obama White House and navigating the current political landscape.
- By offering strategies for rebuilding democratic norms and fostering civic engagement, this book empowers readers to actively participate in shaping the future of America.
Best quote from Un-Trumping America
In this union lies the core of Trumpism – billionaire-funded racial grievance politics.
—Dan Pfeiffer
Who should read Un-Trumping America?
- Democrats eager for a plan to beat Trump
- Policymakers and those interested in getting involved in politics
- Citizens concerned with the direction the USA is headed in
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Un-Trumping America FAQs
What is the main message of Un-Trumping America?
The main message of Un-Trumping America is the need for collective action to restore democracy.
How long does it take to read Un-Trumping America?
The estimated reading time for Un-Trumping America is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Un-Trumping America a good book? Is it worth reading?
Un-Trumping America is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of democracy. It offers insightful analysis and actionable solutions.
Who is the author of Un-Trumping America?
Dan Pfeiffer is the author of Un-Trumping America.
What to read after Un-Trumping America?
If you're wondering what to read next after Un-Trumping America, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Donald Trump v. The United States by Michael S. Schmidt
- The Reckoning by Mary L. Trump
- Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson
- How the World Eats by Julian Baggini
- The Genius of Empathy by Judith Orloff
- The Case for Trump by Victor Davis Hanson
- Managing Up by Melody Wilding
- The January 6th Report by Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol
- Principles For Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio
- Work Backwards by Tim Duggan