The Wajahat Ali Interview

<p dir="ltr">Americans must fight a war on two fronts: against MAGA fascism and Democratic Party complacency. Wajahat Ali of the <a href="https://thelefthook.substack.com/">Left Hook on Substack</a> and author of <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/go-back-to-where-you-came-from">Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American</a> joins Gaslit Nation to discuss how to actually build back better this time. </p> <p dir="ltr">Donald Trump is America's karma of white supremacy, greed, and misogyny. But while the MAGA virus burns through our institutions, another danger is the "Big Club" in Washington, D.C. where Republicans and Democrats share the same donors, the same golf clubs, and the same refusal to tax the rich. </p> <p dir="ltr">The DNC thinks they can waltz into power by not being Trump, but voters want a fighter and they want accountability. We are watching a righteous rage build across the globe, from the resistance in Ukraine and Hungary to vigilante violence here at home. When an Amazon worker drops dead and colleagues are told to work around the body, the status quo makes revolution by any means inevitable. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ukrainians are fighting a war on two fronts: homegrown corruption and Kremlin fascism. We must see ourselves in the same fight. If the Democrats choose the <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5150545-james-carville-democrats-play-possum-trump-musk/"> James Carville "possum strategy"</a> and refuse to face reality, they are simply clearing the deck for a more competent autocrat in 2032.<strong id="docs-internal-guid-1214f32a-7fff-e327-ae58-429a76d6ad71"> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on <a href="https://patreon.com/Gaslit">Patreon.com/Gaslit</a> for our community</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state, availableon Patreon. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult, availableon Patreon. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, availableon Patreon. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, availableon Patreon. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, availableon Patreon. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, availableon Patreon. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, availableon Patreon. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world. </p> </li> </ul> <p>Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit</p> <p dir="ltr">Show Notes:</p> <p dir="ltr">Amazon Accused of Hiding Worker's Death for a Week, Making Employees Keep Working as Corpse Lay on Floor https://futurism.com/future-society/amazon-accused-hiding-death-week</p> <p dir="ltr">Worker who allegedly set fire to California warehouse compares self to Luigi Mangione <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/10/california-warehouse-arson-luigi-mangione">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/10/california-warehouse-arson-luigi-mangione</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Newsom Vows to Stop Proposed Billionaire Tax in California <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/us/newsom-billionaire-tax-california.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/us/newsom-billionaire-tax-california.html</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Christiane Amanpour and Jill Lepore on CNN: Civil War Confederate President Wasn't Tried, Why It Matters In Trump Case <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXVOIab3ek8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXVOIab3ek8</a> </p> <p dir="ltr">The Black Death by Thomas Asbridge review – a medieval horror story https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/apr/08/the-black-death-a-global-history-thomas-asbridge-review-pandemic-history-covid</p> <p dir="ltr">Why Does "DoorDash Grandma" Keep Showing Up with MAGA Members? <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/04/14/has-doordash-grandma-appeared-with-other-gop-leaders-what-to-know/89602972007/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/04/14/has-doordash-grandma-appeared-with-other-gop-leaders-what-to-know/89602972007/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Aaron Rupar: "A woman named Lonna Drewes at a news conference just now accused Eric Swalwell of drugging her drink and sexually assaulting her. Here's part of her statement." <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mjhtlsrn5i2z">https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mjhtlsrn5i2z</a></p> <p dir="ltr">David Dayen: "Several important nuggets in here: • Swalwell was rebuilding Newsom's inner circle; he was the establishment hope • One lobbyist: "Were we willing to delude ourselves or not ask questions that should have been asked? 1000%" • His campaign started sending cease-and-desists last year" <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ddayen.bsky.social/post/3mjfu4px42c25">https://bsky.app/profile/ddayen.bsky.social/post/3mjfu4px42c25</a></p> <p>Lesley Abravanel: "In a major shift, Cook Political Report has now moved 4 Senate seats toward the Democrats (NC,GA, OH, NE). That's on top of 5 House races that Cook Political moved leftward just last week, all partly due to Trump's  unpopular war in Iran that sent gas prices skyrocketing." <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/lesleyabravanel.bsky.social/post/3mjflo3zkdc2t"> https://bsky.app/profile/lesleyabravanel.bsky.social/post/3mjflo3zkdc2t</a></p>