@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · 2d ago

I end my history of the Republican Party with a question: What comes after Trump?

We are most likely looking at a prolonged, chaotic, and dirty struggle between different radical factions and different shades of extremism.

https://steady.page/en/democracyamericana/posts/36887968-d0e1-4693-b4c1-4953912c8435

View on mastodon.social

12

0

16

0

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Mar 04, 2026

MAGA Unreality vs the World

The U.S. government is in the hands of people who are fully detached from reality. That is a major weakness for the regime – but also a source of further radicalization.

Some thoughts from my new piece:

🧵

https://steady.page/en/democracyamericana/posts/55dc578f-c914-4239-8dc9-e2bbef1fe5c6

View on mastodon.social

46

1

70

0

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Feb 16, 2026

Let’s Make MAGA un-American, finally.

I wrote about the conflict over national identity, the need to reclaim patriotism from the Right, and the struggle between two traditions that are both authentically American: White male supremacy vs. the egalitarian promise of democratic pluralism.

https://steady.page/en/democracyamericana/posts/27faead7-855d-4228-a4ea-5cc01a2221eb

View on mastodon.social

29

2

39

0

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Feb 15, 2026

Sunday reading: What is “Un-American”?

We must acknowledge America’s history of state authoritarianism and racial violence – but also dare to claim its aspirational tradition of egalitarian democracy.

Let’s Make MAGA un-American, finally.

My new piece:

🧵

https://steady.page/en/democracyamericana/posts/27faead7-855d-4228-a4ea-5cc01a2221eb

View on mastodon.social

44

0

50

0

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Jan 31, 2026

RE: https://mastodon.social/@tzimmer_history/115990189361813649 Forget all the nonsense about Trump “pivoting” to moderation. The regime will continue to escalate. But the thing is: In Minneapolis, people are holding the line. And the Trumpists have no effective strategy to consolidate authoritarian rule in the face of sustained resistance.

Quoting

Thomas Zimmer @tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

The Trumpists will continue to escalate. But in Minneapolis, we can see the limits of MAGA’s assault. Trump’s authoritarian desires are limitless. But his ability to impose them on America is not. Some thoughts from my new piece for Zeit Online (gift link): https://www.zeit.de/digital/2026-01/us-regierung-maga-widerstand-ice-donald-trump?freebie=ab9d76f6

View on mastodon.social

2

0

10

0

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Jan 31, 2026

The Trumpists will continue to escalate. But in Minneapolis, we can see the limits of MAGA’s assault. Trump’s authoritarian desires are limitless. But his ability to impose them on America is not. Some thoughts from my new piece for Zeit Online (gift link): https://www.zeit.de/digital/2026-01/us-regierung-maga-widerstand-ice-donald-trump?freebie=ab9d76f6

View on mastodon.social

5

8

10

1

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @tzimmer_history@mastodon.social Open

on mastodon.social

Open ancestor post

Current reply

Boosted by

Greg Bell @ferrix@mastodon.online

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Jan 24, 2026

These ICE goons don’t think of themselves as federal officers serving the public – they act like an occupation force, treating an American city as hostile territory and everyone in it as the enemy. Weaponized MAGA in masks. There will be more victims of state terrorism in the streets.

View full thread on mastodon.social

10

0

11

0

Thread context 3 posts in path

Root @tzimmer_history@mastodon.social Open

on mastodon.social

Open ancestor post

Parent @tzimmer_history@mastodon.social Open

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

A key dynamic over the past twelve months: Several times the Trumpists seemed poised to vanquish the democratic opposition and break through whatever obstacles the constitutional order was still placi

Current reply

Boosted by

Greg Bell @ferrix@mastodon.online

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Jan 20, 2026

This pattern stands in contrast to the idea of Trumpism’s steady, irresistible march towards consolidated authoritarian rule. It should be a reminder: Being lawless, immoral, and violent does not make the Trumpists omnipotent. Obscuring that distinction is an act of defeatism that only serves the regime.

View full thread on mastodon.social

10

0

3

0

Thread context 2 posts in path

Parent @tzimmer_history@mastodon.social Open

on mastodon.social

Open ancestor post

Current reply

Boosted by

Greg Bell @ferrix@mastodon.online

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Jan 20, 2026

A key dynamic over the past twelve months: Several times the Trumpists seemed poised to vanquish the democratic opposition and break through whatever obstacles the constitutional order was still placing in their path – but then were unable to force that next step.

View full thread on mastodon.social

5

0

2

0

Boosted by

Greg Bell @ferrix@mastodon.online

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Jan 11, 2026

When the State Terrorizes the People The killing of Renee Good reveals, yet again, Trumpism’s violent, authoritarian essence. MAGA is at war with the reality of American society. New piece: https://steady.page/en/democracyamericana/posts/4b2f8d7a-55ba-4a6b-a523-1a1ee780fd69

View on mastodon.social

4

0

8

0

Boosted by

Greg Bell @ferrix@mastodon.online

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Jan 04, 2026

If you’ll indulge me for a second: The newsletter has really struggled to attract new subscribers since I left Substack - while the monthly churn (existing subscribers canceling their subscription) has gone up significantly. Not sure what the reasons are. But it is definitely concerning. https://mastodon.social/@tzimmer_history/115837432232390407

View on mastodon.social

6

0

11

0

Boosted by

crazyeddie @crazyeddie@mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

Thomas Zimmer

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social

Historian - Democracy and Its Discontents - Podcast: Is This Democracy https:// creators.spotify.com/pod/show/ is-this-democracy - Newsletter: Democracy Americana https:// democracyamericana.com

mastodon.social

@tzimmer_history@mastodon.social · Dec 14, 2025

Sunday reading: I wrote about how the regime’s latest racist hate campaign is tied to the Right’s broader attempt to redefine citizenship and national identity in service of an exclusionary white nationalist vision. A deep dive into the Right’s visions of blood-and-soil nationalism: https://steady.page/en/democracyamericana/posts/6fcf577b-7b04-4c7f-b8a6-39e75c6b8305

View on mastodon.social

22

0

22

0

Thomas Zimmer

Posts