'Make you great again' while we steal everything: How despots use racism as distraction
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U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a visit to Verst Logistics in Hebron, Kentucky, U.S., March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Podcasters Danielle Moodie and Wajahat Ali took time on Wednesday to examine the kind of devastating things that racism can do to a democracy.
It can kill it for a start, particularly when it’s used as tool by authoritarians.
Ali referenced Vice President JD Vance’s recent trip to Hungary to support Hungarian authoritarian leader Viktor Orban, who ransacked his former democratic nation to make himself almost impossible to remove despite colossal disapproval from his impoverished voters.
“[Orban] took over and replaced the judiciary. Took over and replaced the government. Took over and replaced the arts. And meanwhile, guess what happened? He fed them chum,” said Ali. “‘I'm going to make you great again. You know who the real problem is? The Muslims. You know who the real problem is? The Jews. You know who the real problem is? The immigrants.’ And while he was distracting them with hate and xenophobia, guess what? Tell me if this sounds familiar. Orban and his friends raped and pillaged, took all the resources and all the wealth.”
Moodie referenced comparisons to similar enrichment schemes by the family of President Donald Trump, who have reaped billions in new wealth as Trump distracts MAGA with racism and xenophobia, according to critics.
“Donald Trump's sons, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, invested money in what? A drone company — right before the war began,” said Moodie. “Barron bought oil stocks right before the war began. This is a f—— grift at the expense of people's lives.”
But the ride doesn’t always last forever, said Ali, pointing out that after roughly a decade, Hungarians are out in the streets protesting.
“[Hungarians are saying] ‘wait a second. We think we've been lied to. Wait a second. You didn't make us great again. You made yourself and your rich friends great again. And because this power of Orban is finally very fragile now and people are p—— off."
"But who's gone all in [for Orban," demanded Ali. "Look at the same characters. Who went last week? Netanyahu's son. Who praised Orban? Netanyahu. Who went this week? JD Vance.”
"It's a big club. It's a big club, and you ain't in it. And we're seeing it in real time," said Ali.