Jimmy Kimmel’s refusal to capitulate to Donald Trump stands out because so many other well-situated people “have surrendered, withdrawn, or become Trump sycophants themselves,” Adam Serwer argues. theatln.tc/dHJP8bUc
“One by one, American leaders supposedly committed to principles of free speech, due process, democracy, and equality have abandoned those ideals when menaced by the Trump administration,” Serwer writes. “These cascading acts of cowardice from the people best positioned to resist Trump’s authoritarian power grabs have made Trump seem exponentially more powerful than he actually is, sapping strength from others who might have discovered the courage to stand up.”
“In many cases, those folding have had ample resources to resist Trump’s shakedowns but haven’t been brave enough to do so,” Serwer continues, “They are, in a word, chickenshit.”
There’s a difference between chickenshit and cowardice, Serwer argues: “When you’re chickenshit, you capitulate to avoid the mere possibility of discomfort, let alone something resembling real risk.”
“Big companies and their CEOs have cowered before Trumpist intimidation, trying to ease his temper by settling frivolous lawsuits over ‘bias’ or slathering the president in juche-style flattery. Media companies have settled First Amendment cases they were likely to win in order to curry favor or protect their parent company’s commercial interests. Newspaper owners have compromised the integrity of their own publications. Elite academic institutions have sacrificed their independence to try to preserve their federal funding. At least one has turned the names of its own students over to the government for potential political persecution. Major law firms with deep pockets and armies of lawyers have shrunk from defending the rule of law because they fear Trump’s wrath,” Serwer writes. "But even the opposition party has been less confrontational this time around."
“The sheer number of American elites willing to acquiesce to the destruction of democratic institutions is demoralizing,” Serwer continues. “But it’s worth noting that many ordinary people seem to be made of sterner stuff.”
The Atlantic
Jimmy Kimmel’s refusal to capitulate to Donald Trump stands out because so many other well-situated people “have surrendered, withdrawn, or become Trump sycophants themselves,” Adam Serwer argues. theatln.tc/dHJP8bUc
“One by one, American leaders supposedly committed to principles of free speech, due process, democracy, and equality have abandoned those ideals when menaced by the Trump administration,” Serwer writes. “These cascading acts of cowardice from the people best positioned to resist Trump’s authoritarian power grabs have made Trump seem exponentially more powerful than he actually is, sapping strength from others who might have discovered the courage to stand up.”
“In many cases, those folding have had ample resources to resist Trump’s shakedowns but haven’t been brave enough to do so,” Serwer continues, “They are, in a word, chickenshit.”
There’s a difference between chickenshit and cowardice, Serwer argues: “When you’re chickenshit, you capitulate to avoid the mere possibility of discomfort, let alone something resembling real risk.”
“Big companies and their CEOs have cowered before Trumpist intimidation, trying to ease his temper by settling frivolous lawsuits over ‘bias’ or slathering the president in juche-style flattery. Media companies have settled First Amendment cases they were likely to win in order to curry favor or protect their parent company’s commercial interests. Newspaper owners have compromised the integrity of their own publications. Elite academic institutions have sacrificed their independence to try to preserve their federal funding. At least one has turned the names of its own students over to the government for potential political persecution. Major law firms with deep pockets and armies of lawyers have shrunk from defending the rule of law because they fear Trump’s wrath,” Serwer writes. "But even the opposition party has been less confrontational this time around."
“The sheer number of American elites willing to acquiesce to the destruction of democratic institutions is demoralizing,” Serwer continues. “But it’s worth noting that many ordinary people seem to be made of sterner stuff.”
🎨: Illustration by The Atlantic
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