Masha Gessen - "The Trump-Putin Connect: What We Imagine and Why"

Noted for her opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gessen has written about a range of topics, including LGBTQ rights, Russia’s Jewish state and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. She was born and spent much of her childhood in Moscow before moving with her Jewish family to the United States. After the fall of the Soviet Union, she returned to Moscow, where she and others created post-Soviet Russia’s first weekly magazine, Itogi. She also served as a member of the board of directors for the Moscow-based LGBT rights organization Triangle; as the head of U.S. News & World Report’s Moscow bureau; and as chief editor of Vokrug Sveta, a popular-science journal. She was dismissed from this position at Russia’s oldest magazine after refusing to send a reporter to cover a nature conservation event featuring Putin, considering it political exploitation of environmental concerns.
As a journalist living in Moscow, she experienced the rise of Putin firsthand. Her 2012 bestselling biography The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin-hailed as “an unflinching indictment of the most powerful man in Russia” by The Wall Street Journal-delivers a chilling account of the rise and reign of one of the most influential figures in world politics.
She is also the author of Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot-named a Best Book of 2014 by NPR and The Guardian-about a Russian punk rock group arrested for staging an unauthorized performance protest opposing Putin and the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Her 2015 book The Brothers: The Road to an American Tragedy, about the perpetrators of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, was named a Best Book of the Year by Time magazine.
Her most recent book, Where the Jews Aren’t: The Sad and Absurd Story of Birobidzhan, Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Region, was hailed by Publisher’s Weekly as “one of the 20th century’s most chilling stories of struggle, perseverance, and despair.”
A fluent writer in Russian and English, Gessen is a regular contributor to The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Harper’s, Vanity Fair and Slate, among other publications.

[@SarahKchannel]

Really scary to watch in the context of 2022 !

[@valeriefaabergpitel7356]

Watching this from 2022, all I have to say is we survived, barely. 😳

[@browsepals4123]

Biden's term is one year through, yet, he's not done. Woohoo! Rising inflation, crime, fentanyl poisoning, rampant illegal aliens, energy crisis and now possibly WW3. What a country!

[@dali_hemingway2197]

It’s not the bully that frightens me but the cowards who refuse to confront him/her.

[@FC-rg1vk]

She’s so right. They share the same disdain

[@GodsendNYC]

Wow this is a really good analysis!

[@denhamcolm]

Incredible talk

[@appletree6898]

Her discussion of parallel structures to appease the president and safeguard the government was so prescient, as we can see now with Bob Woodward's book and the anonymous NY Times op-ed.

[@edwardb7811]

She sized up Trump very early.

[@Cyberbronco]

And she was wrong.

[@jbattin3034]

Nope pretty spot on actually lol

[@hollyhold6960]

Familiarity with autocracies and an excellent mind.

[@wadegruber2119]

I like how she pointed out that the way they lie is similar, not actually trying to convince people. I just saw a video of a woman press member ask Putin about his jailing and killing political opponents. Putin answered by bringing up the January 6th rioters who are currently being prosecuted and seeing jail time, to say that is the US doing the same, when that is so obviously not the kind of jailing of political opponents (politicians) the questioner was talking about. It blew my mind that he would answer in such a stupid way.

[@hessness]

It doesn't need to be clever to make 60% of the country go... "haha oh yeah that's true, go putin/trump. People are idiots lol

[@cathyhale7817]

Ppp

[@steppenwolf3252]

He killed his own Russian soldiers (still is)

[@browsepals4123]

Really? Jailing Jan 6th protesters and not jailing 2020 BLM/Antifa protesters/arsonists/looters/rioters is not a political action? The dichotomy is exactly why the Communists argue the point when Americans highlight their atrocities.

[@billsoetebier1254]

Z

[@gladyslustgirdle3004]

And we all know how appeasement went in the 1930's!

[@kangaroo1888]

Thank you for the lecture

[@SueFerreira75]

5 years later, just after Putin has invaded Ukraine, it would be interesting to see if Masha Gessen's thoughts on Trump and Putin have changed and if so in which way.

[@junglecat_rant]

Point is, he hasn't changed at all. He perfected all his traits and became the dictator he is.

[@carolyntalbot947]

She has been a contributing guest on MSNBC recently, and I would conclude that she feels vindicated and very frustrated by the Kemlin's successful disinformation campaign against the US and how it's prevented even the Biden administration from responding to Russian aggression with equal force. We are in this war he has waged against the West--this pretense that we can somehow avoid involvement is wrong-headed, as is the fear that Putin will escalate or use nuclear weapons if we help save Ukraine. He has used false flags and he's imagined pretexts to every action he takes against democratic countries. He has threatened nuclear strikes before, knowing the "madman theory of war" effectively diminishes public support for fighting back. She must feel increasingly hopeless as we watch Russia destroy the fledgling democracy that was Ukraine. Or maybe I'm projecting.

[@jlb74a]

she was soooooooo wrong with her BS... there was never a putin-trump "connect"... he should apologize to the orange man....

[@steppenwolf3252]

She predicted Jan 6th riot.

[@browsepals4123]

In other words, Putin invaded during Bush, Obama and Biden's presidency but did not during Trump's term. Very interesting.

[@patfrench8046]

She is very smart.

[@OrganNLou]

One of the great writers and speakers of our time!!!

[@markofsaltburn]

This is the first video I’ve seen with the brilliant Gessen that has no trolling below the line. Please don’t remove trolling, Amherst: it may be offensive and demoralising at first, but the more we see it, the more we recognise it, the more resilient we become, the more likely we are to ignore it, and the less it works. The more that happens, the harder the trolls have to work to offend us, and the harder they to do that, the more comical they become. The more comical they become, the less offensive they become. Pity the trolls, feel compassion for them; many are doing it under duress in horrible conditions. Censorship disempowers the people it seeks to protect, and it empowers our enemies.

[@AmherstCollege]

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[@hollyhold6960]

Good points, thank you for making them.

[@Whooopwhhoooop]

Is a troll somebody who doesn't believe what you do, or agree with you, by any chance? 😆

[@gina2838]

That's a very interesting view point on trolling. The educated find it comical but unfortunately some think it is fact.

[@awuma]

A lot more has come out since this talk concerning Trump's Russian links and the Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign.

[@youbetyababy]

This isn't aging very well. I hope your learning something about who to believe. Hillary totally fabricated the lie. Lol

[@TheBiggRiggz]

Curious what your position is now, 3 years later after the whole Russia collusion has been proven to be a hoax. I'll admit that I was taken for a ride myself, it's been a massive undertaking in my own life to realize that things aren't what we've been told AT ALL. It's all bullshit. So no judgements on you at all, whatsoever.

[@roselee4445]

Yes, 2022 more proof it was Hillary doing Russian thing, not Trump, and I liked Hillary and Bill

[@gregm55mullen62]

You need to see her discussion on this where she says that Russia always meddles in elections in the west or tries to but there was no co-ordination with Trump or it was at his behest. It was because Putin hated Hillary Clinton with a passion. But she states that ultimately the Russian bot system was on co-ordinated and was not as powerful as people think. And in my own belief her remarks there and here imply that Trump won fair and square and was elected by the people. And I think the liberal media underestimated how disliked Hillary is among her own people. Anyone with a brain or ounce of insight knows she is fighting her personal humiliation demons at the hands of her husband...(and now at the hands of Trump) She wants to but will never be his equal....not that Bill Clinton is a paragon of virtue to try and gain equality of popularity with. . Hillary should just stop at this point....

[@mikisunshine9334]

We now know it was B.S, So much for looking back 3 years later.

[@dianawatt1657]

This has weathered well

[@abigaileggleston9108]

"Because eventually, there will be some kind of post-Trumpian future, and the health of the public sphere will in large part determine what that future looks like". Prophetic words. I just bought your book.

[@new_hampshire]

You need to read a couple of books. “American Kompromat” by Craig Unger and “Trump/Russia” by Seth Hettena

[@mishacknthane1060]

They are the best, I recently discovered them and I'm hooked. I'm making notes when they speak

[@shakhmoroff123]

Not sure you realize the benefits of having a strong legitimate President whose emphasis on energy independence is exactly what Putin fears.

[@alisonyahna8041]

I hope you aren’t implying Trump is strong , nor Putin. Both of them are too unconscious and egos too fragile, which makes them both weak and dangerous, they can not bear to be perceived as anything but number one ( I am the greatest, smartest, strongest etc ad nauseum ) which makes them autocratic prone to despotism and unable to take advice or council. It is the progressives and the left that has been advocating for supporting renewable energy new energy development and less dependence on fossil fuels for many years and the right that has spent trillions enriching warlords in Middle East oil wars.

[@steppenwolf3252]

We all need renewable energy and quit killing our planet. We have the brains but we value profit above people and our planet and our kid's futures. How sad and rediculous.

[@rachelanne5060]

This human being is incredible and so insightful.

[@barracuda7018]

Brilliant analyst...Absolutely amazing.

[@alsix666]

I'd love to listen to a discussion between her and Dr Jordan Peterson.

[@raymondgranda201]

AMAZING insight!

[@KP-wg6by]

This same analysis applies to DEI projects... Gestures first then normalization. Few things following this model wind up in a healthy place

[@gabygutierrez8366]

I would like to hear her point of view now since Russian invaded Ukaine

[@danieleweiser9480]

Thank you for your thorough analysis.

[@browsepals4123]

Wasn't her picture on the NY Post cover Saturday, Mar 19, 2022?

[@pj61114]

The Bubble that University Professors live in is unsurpassed! As George Bernard Shaw said. “ Those who can do. Those who can’t teach. “

[@DC-kx1qj]

Methinks he was wrong about that. Of course, there are always exceptions.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Teaching is a skill and an art and VERY necessary if we want to do anything. Shaw was an ass. But to do teaching well is an art.

[@nonayoung8177]

bull

[@mnp5404]

Lots of information about the putin/trump dynamic she didn't have back then. Lots of ways the money traveled she had no clue of yet. I wish she could update this or people may actually believe that what she knew then was the final answer.

[@youbetyababy]

Not aging well. The Durham report must be highly offensive to these "experts"

[@DC-kx1qj]

Durham, himself, said Fox and the like misrepresented his findings. Can't you put your bias aside for just a bit, so you might gain some insight into how others think and feel? We are your neighbors.

[@mariarpena2534]

People must widely read and well informed by themselves, and discern what is truth and propaganda. I hear a lot of personal attacks, and opinions of herself.

[@mariarpena2534]

@youbetyababy . if not science with mathematical computation, it´s just opinion based by on her own proclivities. it‘s more character assasinations than weighing on administration‘s achievement and misstep.

[@noneofyourbusiness150]

That's the way it is in Russia. Do what Putin wants or pay the price

[@uniquelylily1166]

Little did she know. 2022 now. Bet she's changed her tune about trfufump. I think I'll hold to "With Trump, all roads lead to Russia" a former NSA said.

[@MissCracker]

Anyone see Masha on Full Frontal?

[@mariarpena2534]

Trump Cake at inaugural ball from Washington bakeshop? Who will pay a night for such trivialities.

[@miguelcampos7579]

please inform President Zelenkyy to live the country if he is alive no one can take Ukraine legally and he can help more from outside he is a brave man but he needs to be smart and see what is better for him and his country. if you reed this message please do whatever is in your power to help him he is not thinking in that he is so concern and worry Contact the Uk. ambassador and other members of the government to help him

[@alwayslernin4400]

He was offered an escape. He is staying and fighting for his country. The other leaders should take notes. This is a real leader of his people.

[@steppenwolf3252]

No. We must stand up for our ideals. Otherwise what is the point of living?

[@sharonrose2751]

Well, I guess she knew, didn’t she?

[@kimjohnson8471]

2024 our choices are: 1. Biden 2. Trump 3. Harris 4. H. Clinton. The decline of the American empire.

[@uniquelylily1166]

Biden. We'll have a stronger margin in the House and especially the Senate. 😁😎💙🇺🇸

[@lynnethomas7635]

Rose please get educated.

[@estrellaphilibosian8129]

Hollow speech.

[@ruffshenanigans9582]

Trump: not done yet

[@steppenwolf3252]

Fox TV

[@kingtrumpthegod331]

She is a towering intellectual on the same level as Trevor Noah, or perhaps Amy Schumer!

[@steppenwolf3252]

He's pretty good too. Goody one King but this is not a monarchy. This is a democracy. If you don't treasure your rights, I guess you're unable to participate. I believe in your ability even if you don't my brother. Treasure our democracy because you have never lived in a monarchy. Don't spit on our freedoms. You'll miss it when it's gone, prince T.

[@Marielenas]

Trump played Putin . . .

[@f.j282]

VIVA TRUMP

[@randyirish2317]

T

[@Starfish2145]

Well obviously she was wrong.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Nope! It's even worse here than any of us imagined. Trump has damaged our faith in Democracy and rule of law in ways that will take months or years to repair. t's up to each American citizen how long our healing will take.

[@roselee4445]

I can't believe this woman sat up writing this, a crock of boring hate.

[@dirkkriel6055]

😡🤮

[@mariarpena2534]

This is nothing more than litigating Putin & Trump in public sphere. Putin and Trump arenˋt there to defend themselves, but that would be a lost of time for towering busy figures like Putin & Trump.

[@steppenwolf3252]

No hate. Just facts. If you disagree, please be specific. It's easy to say it's without any specific details. There are ideas and facts like Ukrainian invasion and Obamas birth place which Trump admitted was a lie he said for at least 4 years. So what specific crap are you talking about?

[@steppenwolf3252]

Your comment is full of love and evidence? Silly girl. Why are you afraid of facts? YOu can't even defend your comment, can you? You are fake news

[@steppenwolf3252]

You need a brain to imagine anything

[@juancarlosfernandez6796]

Joan lady I do pray for you spirit only God can help you you're wrong about Putin like you are wrong about Donald Trump I pray forgot to help you may God bless you

[@lynnethomas7635]

Hey Jain please keep up to date on global affairs. Putin is now killing children and people in Ukraine..Dictator and killer both are.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Pray Trump hasn't doomed our democracy. And most all pray for yourself too and the sacredness of our democracy.

[@_FLUXCAPACITOR]

AND... ITS ALL BS

[@DC-kx1qj]

Say it louder, a hole, couldn't hear ya.

[@steppenwolf3252]

What is? if you cannot cite any evidence then you are full of b.s. and fake news.

[@arturomassa2745]

What a bunch of crap and cheap propaganda based on nothing. Nauseating....

[@steppenwolf3252]

Give your evidence and be specific or else your comment is fake news.

[@steppenwolf3252]

what is your fake news comment based on Arturo? nothing? right on. You have proved her point.

[@heidilynwolff7513]

Word salad nonsensical slop. Sad.

[@roselee4445]

This is about as boring as watching a slug move

[@nancyayers8322]

Says someone who has no intellect

[@DC-kx1qj]

At least you all listened to this...baby steps.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Facts and reality is not boring. If you want to be entertained go to a meaningless rally. Democracy is not boring and our fates are not some dumb TV show. It is serious but we can still have fun and laugh. You're not having enough fun rose--don't be such an angry fool. You deserve better.