What Trump’s restoration means

Please read the most important email I’ve sent in a while.   [Mother Jones]( Mother Jones Reader, I spent election night with my colleagues in the newsroom, watching the results come in with an increasingly sinking feeling. Knowing that this could happen, worrying about it, reporting on it—none of that emotionally prepared me for it actually happening. I went home and spent hours talking to my kids, then sat down to begin this letter. And while there is so much to say, analyze, and process, the question I kept coming back to is this: What constrains an autocrat? What does he fear? Because there’s no sugar-coating it. Trump was elected by a decisive majority of voters, but there is no reason to believe he will govern with democratic values in mind. He’s told us that over and over again, and his allies have told us they are okay with it. There are many forces that can keep authoritarianism in check, but some of the usual suspects—legislative and judicial checks and balances—have been eroded in recent years. To my thinking, that leaves what political scientists call “civil society,” which is a fancy term for “the rest of us.” People power has constrained many an autocrat, and truth-telling independent media is a critical part of that—it’s the oxygen of movements. Trump rails against the press as the “enemy of the people” because like all liars and extremists, he hates sunlight and scrutiny. Trump and his enablers want the press to shut up and fall in line. And they would prefer you to see yourself as a passive subject, rather that someone with values and commitments, who actively participates in your own self-governance. That’s what makes this an urgent moment. A moment not to despair, but to stand with us—and [fight back with the power of fierce, truth-telling journalism](. [Donate Now]( In the coming weeks and months, we will see many powerful people in the media make accommodations. Jeff Bezos, last seen spiking the Washington Post’s Kamala Harris endorsement, began the parade by congratulating Trump on his “extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory.” Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg was close behind with a simpering “We have great opportunities ahead of us as a country. Looking forward to working with you and your administration.” Mother Jones does not have an owner getting in line to kiss Trump’s ring. No billionaires or Wall Street honchos here either—we are a nonprofit, independent newsroom, and our only investors are you, our readers, who stick up for us and [support our work](. We intend to use the full measure of the independence that gives us. We will be a check on liars, authoritarians, and those who want to take away others’ freedoms. We will keep shining a spotlight on abuses of power. We hope we can be your beacon in the fog of disinformation. If the last decade has taught us anything, it’s that American democracy is resilient but also vulnerable to manipulation and subversion. Our newsroom is ready for what’s ahead. But we also know the backlash against the press will be fierce. Decades ago, the Reagan administration came after us (and we prevailed). Then, 10 years ago, it was a Republican billionaire dark-money donor. No matter who’s next—[we’ll need you with us](. Believe me: It’s never been harder to keep an independent newsroom’s lights on and pay for truth-telling investigative reporting. Seventy percent of our budget comes from individual supporters, and this time of the year always means losing sleep because I don’t know how we’ll piece together a budget for the coming year that maintains a team of the bravest, toughest reporters anywhere. [I wouldn’t be urgently asking for your donations if it didn't really matter. Every dollar counts, so please make a gift today.]( There’s a lot of talk about the “uncertainty” ahead, but let me tell you what I’m certain of: - Extremists will be wielding power. Trump isn’t known for keeping promises, but we should take him at his word that he’ll turn the executive branch over to oligarchs like Elon Musk. - Trump will extract revenge and retribution. His enemies’ list is long and varied—Jack Smith, Liz Cheney, Gen. Mark Milley—and he has threatened violence against so many more, including the press. He means it. - Truth itself will be under attack. When Trump doesn’t like reality, he insists on changing it. The January 6 insurrection was a “gesture of love,” so get ready for those presidential pardons—and that’s just the start. - But also: People in many places will stand up for fairness, justice, and freedom. We will see extraordinary popular movements, everyday acts of decency and kindness, and even heroism. And many of you will be part of that. And here’s one more thing I’m certain of: Mother Jones will be there to report on all of it. Since our founding as a nonprofit newsroom 48 years ago, Mother Jones has survived because readers have made our work possible with their contributions over and above the cost of subscribing. And nearly a half century later, we’re still relying on readers and supporters like you. It's an urgent moment. [So, if you can right now, please make a donation]( that will help keep our journalists digging deep into the stories that other media are afraid to touch. Thanks again for all you do to make Mother Jones possible. With appreciation and resolve, [Monika Bauerlein, CEO] Monika Bauerlein, CEO Mother Jones [Stand With Us]( P.S. Allow me to close with a couple of massive understatements: We’ve all got our work cut out for us. And producing the kind of top-quality journalism that I’m talking about above is going to cost a lot of money. 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