Broadcaster / comedian Chip Franklin is joined on the Really American Podcast by former Trump insider Lev Parnas, who discusses Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies and the erosion of democratic norms. Parnas, drawing from his personal experiences working with Trump, warns about the growing threat to American democracy, highlighting how Trump is systematically undermining institutions, suppressing protests, and using federal agencies to target political opponents.

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In his conversation with Franklin, Parnas details a disturbing strategy aimed at consolidating power—a deliberate dismantling of democratic norms. He explains how Trump’s inner circle replaced key positions within the DOJ, FBI, and military with unquestioning loyalists, eroding merit-based governance and paving the way toward unchecked executive control. This insidious infiltration, Parnas warns, could reshape our institutions into bastions of personalized rule rather than democratic accountability.

The discussion turns to how the Trump administration manipulated federal agencies to stifle dissent and control the narrative. Parnas recounts how protests are routinely portrayed by friendly media as chaotic and criminal, a distortion amplified through social media to manufacture a crisis. According to him, this narrative doesn’t aim at protecting communities or targeting dangerous criminals—it serves solely to justify harsh, oppressive tactics.

Another recurring theme in Parnas’s revelations is the cult-like loyalty that underpins Trump’s support base. Despite his divisive policies, Trump’s inner circle zealously suppresses any challenge to his authority. Parnas likens this unwavering allegiance to a modern form of brainwashing, where facts take a back seat to personal devotion. This dynamic, he argues, is not only dangerous—it’s a calculated strategy to perpetuate authoritarian control.

Throughout the episode, Franklin and Parnas stress the urgency of vigilance and active participation in the democratic process. They call for transparency, accountability, and open dialogue as the only antidote to the creeping authoritarianism threatening American democracy.

Franklin wraps up the conversation with a rallying cry: stay engaged, remain informed, and stand united in the fight for our democratic values. This episode of the Really American Podcast serves as both a stark warning and an invitation to all citizens—an invitation to join the collective effort to push back against divisive rhetoric and authoritarian overreach.

Stay informed. Stay vigilant. Subscribe to the Really American Podcast for ongoing deep-dive discussions designed to enlighten and empower. Tune in next week as we continue to challenge propaganda and work together toward a more united future.