Making Sense with Sam Harris #461 — Dictators Always Tell You What They'll Do
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Feb 25, 2026 
Garry Kasparov, former world chess champion turned democracy advocate, warns from Soviet-era experience about how dictators telegraph their plans. He discusses Trump as a systemic threat, the GOP's moral collapse, the 2026 stakes for U.S. democracy, Russia's role and Putin's threats, and what a Ukrainian victory would mean for the free world.
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How Renew Democracy Initiative Started
- Kasparov formed the Renew Democracy Initiative in 2017 after sensing danger from Trump's rise.
- He describes RDI as a "home for the politically homeless" bringing moderates together against extremes on both sides.
Dictators Tell You What They Intend
- Dictators often announce their long-term goals publicly, so take their statements seriously.
- Garry Kasparov cites Putin's 2005 speech and Mein Kampf as examples of leaders laying out future plans before taking power.
Trump Normalizes Abuse Instead Of Hiding It
- Kasparov argues Trump views himself as a king and is normalizing abuses of power rather than hiding them.
- He warns Trump is mobilizing federal resources and loyalists openly to prepare to subvert future elections.