The David Pakman Show The dark spiral of power, panic and collapse
Feb 23, 2026
Michael Wolff, journalist and bestselling author famous for books on Trump, joins to discuss Trump's return to power and the Epstein scandal. They cover Trump’s attacks on the Supreme Court and his public fights with Republican leaders. Conversation also touches on succession anxieties, Truth Social rants, and polling showing weakened support.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Paranoia Signals Authoritarian Mindset
- David Pakman argues Trump's Supreme Court reaction shows escalating paranoia and authoritarian thinking rather than a normal policy disagreement.
- He cites Trump calling justices disloyal, foreign-controlled, and claiming he can "destroy the country" as evidence of a strongman mindset.
Cascade Of Hidden Enemy Narratives
- Pakman links Trump's pattern of alleging hidden enemies to cognitive decline and to grievance-based politics that erode institutions.
- He notes accusations about rigged elections, corrupt prosecutors, and foreign-controlled courts as part of this cascade.
Party Resistance Reveals Weakness
- Republicans are publicly resisting Trump's tariff push, signaling his shrinking power even within his party.
- Examples include Don Bacon, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul saying tariffs belong to Congress and will be defeated.
