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The Ezra Klein ShowMar 20, 2026

Naomi Klein on Trumpism and Our Age of ‘Unlikely Bedfellows’

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for Naomi Klein on Trumpism and Our Age of ‘Unlikely Bedfellows’ on The Ezra Klein Show.

Books mentioned

Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund Empire of AI+1 more

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Naomi Klein on Trumpism and Our Age of ‘Unlikely Bedfellows’ mentions Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History by Michael Lowy, Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund by Molly Crabapple, Empire of AI by Karen Howe, and Doppelganger, A Trip Into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund Empire of AI Doppelganger, A Trip Into the Mirror World

3 books from this episode

Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History

Michael Lowy

And the third book is a book called Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History by Michael Lowy.

Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund

Molly Crabapple

I guess we've been talking around this, but my friend Molly Crabapple has an absolutely brilliant book coming out called Here Where We Live Is Our Co…

Empire of AI

Karen Howe

Empire of AI by Karen Howe. It's just such an incredible combination of just on the ground, globetrotting investigative reporting, making the materia…

Episode summary

Naomi Klein saw where our politics was headed before most people on the left. Her 2023 book “Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World” is hard to describe. But among other things, it traces the new coalitions Klein saw forming on the right, the ways they were co-opting issues long associated with the left, and finding huge audiences and influence outside existing institutions. The people and coalitions that Klein wrote about run our world now. We are all living in the mirror world. As she put it, it’s “doppelgangers at the wheel.” So I wanted to have Klein on the show to help understand how that happened, what the left failed to see at the time and the lessons the left should take from it now. As Klein told me: “The thing about doppelgangers is, in literature, they’re always a message telling you a warning: You have to look at yourself. There’s something about yourself that you’re not seeing.” Note: We recorded this episode before the war in Iran. Mentioned: Doppelganger by Naomi Klein No Logo by Naomi Klein “Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong” by Adam Serwer End Times Fascism by Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor Book Recommendations: Empire of AI by Karen Hao Here Where We Live Is Our Country by Molly Crabapple Fire Alarm by Michael Löwy Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected]. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.

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Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History

Michael Lowy

The host mentions 'Fire Alarm' to highlight Walter Benjamin's perspective on history, particularly how it accumulates…

Card

Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund

Molly Crabapple

The host mentions Molly Crabapple's book to highlight its exploration of a different narrative about belonging and co…

Card

Empire of AI

Karen Howe

The host mentions 'Empire of AI' to highlight its investigative approach to understanding the human and material aspe…

Card

Doppelganger, A Trip Into the Mirror World

Naomi Klein

The host discusses Naomi Klein's latest book, 'Doppelganger, A Trip Into the Mirror World,' which explores the politi…

Card

End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World

Naomi Klein, Astra Taylor

The host discusses Naomi Klein's latest work, 'End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World,' highlighting it…

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The Beauty Myth

Naomi Wolf

The host discusses the influence of branding and image production on youth culture, referencing Naomi Wolf's 'The Bea…

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The Double

Dostoevsky

The host discusses how Dostoevsky's 'The Double' illustrates the concept of doppelgangers and their impact on identit…

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Doppelganger

The host discusses Naomi Klein's book 'Doppelganger' as a response to the political confusion during the pandemic, pa…

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Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for Naomi Klein on Trumpism and Our Age of ‘Unlikely Bedfellows’ on The Ezra Klein Show.

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The conversation centers on Naomi Klein's new book.
A second recurring theme is alternative stories of here-ness.
Referenced books include Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History by Michael Lowy and Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund by Molly Crabapple.
The strongest audience signal points to Readers interested in history, philosophy, and social movements. and Readers interested in history, community identity, and social movements..

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Which books are mentioned in Naomi Klein on Trumpism and Our Age of ‘Unlikely Bedfellows’?

Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History by Michael Lowy, Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund by Molly Crabapple, and Empire of AI by Karen Howe are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to transcript timestamps and quote cards.

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Naomi Klein's new book(3)alternative stories of here-ness(1)doppelganger literature(1)historical context and relevance(1)impact of AI on education(1)impact of branding on youth(1)Naomi Klein's critiques(1)Naomi Wolf's conspiracy theories(1)

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Deep Dive(5)Highly Recommended(3)Critical Analysis(1)Passing Reference(1)

Audience signals

Readers interested in history, philosophy, and social movements.Readers interested in history, community identity, and social movements.Individuals interested in the societal impacts of technology and AIReaders interested in contemporary political analysis and the impact of the pandemic on political identities.Readers interested in political theory and contemporary social dynamics.Individuals interested in feminism and cultural criticism

Books Mentioned

The full list below is ranked by how useful each mention is to a listener: stronger recommendation language, clearer quote context, and better timestamp support rise first.

Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History

Michael Lowy

Best for Readers interested in history, philosophy, and social movements.Often cited around historical context and relevance

“This text, written by Walter Benjamin before he took his own life, explores the idea that history doesn't repeat but compounds, piling wreckage upon wreckage.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: historical context and relevance

For: Readers interested in history, philosophy, and social movements.

Key quote: “And the third book is a book called Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History by Michael Lowy.”

The host mentions 'Fire Alarm' to highlight Walter Benjamin's perspective on history, particularly how it accumulates rather than repeats. This book is significant in understanding the complexities of historical narratives and their implications for contemporary movements.

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Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund

Molly Crabapple

Best for Readers interested in history, community identity, and social movements.Often cited around alternative stories of here-ness

“A brilliant book that gets at what an alternative story of here-ness could be, committing to here, as the Jewish labor Bund did before the wars.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: alternative stories of here-ness

For: Readers interested in history, community identity, and social movements.

Key quote: “I guess we've been talking around this, but my friend Molly Crabapple has an absolutely brilliant book coming out called Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund.”

The host mentions Molly Crabapple's book to highlight its exploration of a different narrative about belonging and commitment to place. This book reflects on the Jewish labor Bund's historical significance and its relevance to contemporary discussions about community and identity.

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Empire of AI

Karen Howe

Best for Individuals interested in the societal impacts of technology and AIOften cited around impact of AI on education

“An incredible combination of on the ground, globetrotting investigative reporting, making the material inputs and human inputs of AI visible, with a thesis around empire building.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: impact of AI on education

For: Individuals interested in the societal impacts of technology and AI

Key quote: “Empire of AI by Karen Howe. It's just such an incredible combination of just on the ground, globetrotting investigative reporting, making the material inputs and human inputs of AI visible.”

The host mentions 'Empire of AI' to highlight its investigative approach to understanding the human and material aspects of AI. This book is seen as essential for grasping the broader implications of AI in society and its connection to empire building.

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Doppelganger, A Trip Into the Mirror World

Naomi Klein

Best for Readers interested in contemporary political analysis and the impact of the pandemic on political identities.Often cited around Naomi Klein's new book

“Klein's book explores the confusion and identity crisis she experienced during the pandemic, particularly in relation to Naomi Wolf.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Naomi Klein's new book

For: Readers interested in contemporary political analysis and the impact of the pandemic on political identities.

Key quote: “But in 2023, she published a pretty different kind of book.”

The host discusses Naomi Klein's latest book, 'Doppelganger, A Trip Into the Mirror World,' which explores the political dynamics that emerged during the pandemic. Klein's observations about the confusing political alliances formed during this time serve as a foundation for her analysis of the shifting political landscape.

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End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World

Naomi Klein, Astra Taylor

Best for Readers interested in political theory and contemporary social dynamics.Often cited around Naomi Klein's new book

“Klein mentions her forthcoming book co-authored with Astra Taylor, which addresses contemporary political issues.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Naomi Klein's new book

For: Readers interested in political theory and contemporary social dynamics.

Key quote: “So your book revolves around two concepts, doppelgangers and mirror worlds.”

The host discusses Naomi Klein's latest work, 'End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World,' highlighting its exploration of political identities and coalitions formed during the pandemic. Klein's insights into the shifting political landscape and the emergence of mirror worlds are presented as critical for understanding contemporary political dynamics.

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The Beauty Myth

Naomi Wolf

Best for Individuals interested in feminism and cultural criticismOften cited around impact of branding on youth

“Klein references Wolf's influential book 'The Beauty Myth', which discusses the pressures on women to conform to beauty standards.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: impact of branding on youth

For: Individuals interested in feminism and cultural criticism

Key quote: “It had a thesis that young women were being forced to add a third shift.”

The host discusses the influence of branding and image production on youth culture, referencing Naomi Wolf's 'The Beauty Myth' to highlight the additional pressures women face in the workplace. The book is mentioned to illustrate the historical context of beauty standards and their impact on women's professional advancement.

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The Double

Dostoevsky

Best for Readers interested in political theory and social media dynamicsOften cited around doppelganger literature

“In Dostoevsky's The Double, his protagonist is getting carted away and sent to an asylum while the double just takes over.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: doppelganger literature

For: Readers interested in political theory and social media dynamics

Key quote: “So at the end of Dostoevsky's The Double, his protagonist is getting carted away and sent to, an asylum while the double just takes over.”

The host discusses how Dostoevsky's 'The Double' illustrates the concept of doppelgangers and their impact on identity and power dynamics. This theme is connected to contemporary issues in politics and social media, highlighting how the doppelganger can overshadow the original.

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Doppelganger

Best for Readers interested in political analysis and contemporary social issues.Often cited around Naomi Klein's new book

“The speaker discusses critiques of the left found in the book 'Doppelganger', emphasizing the need for self-reflection.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Naomi Klein's new book

For: Readers interested in political analysis and contemporary social issues.

Key quote: “But now that world, the mirror world, it's our world.”

The host discusses Naomi Klein's book 'Doppelganger' as a response to the political confusion during the pandemic, particularly regarding the shifting alliances in politics. Klein explores how traditional political identities have been scrambled, using her own experience of being confused with another Naomi to delve into these themes.

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Outrages

Naomi Wolf

Best for Readers interested in the intersection of media, ideology, and public perception.Often cited around Naomi Wolf's conspiracy theories

“Klein discusses Wolf's book 'Outrages', which faced criticism for a factual error and contributed to Wolf's public shaming.”

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Sentiment: Critical Analysis

Trigger: Naomi Wolf's conspiracy theories

For: Readers interested in the intersection of media, ideology, and public perception.

Key quote: “the year before the pandemic in 2019, she published a book called Outrages.”

The host discusses Naomi Wolf's controversial shift towards conspiracy theories during the pandemic, particularly highlighting her book 'Outrages' and a significant factual error it contained. This error led to public ridicule and is seen as a pivotal moment in her transformation and acceptance in a different ideological space.

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No Logo

Naomi Klein

Best for Readers interested in corporate critiques and political analysis.Often cited around Naomi Klein's critiques

“Klein discusses her first book, 'No Logo', which critiques the rise of multinational corporations and their impact on culture and politics.”

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Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: Naomi Klein's critiques

For: Readers interested in corporate critiques and political analysis.

Key quote: “The author Naomi Klein is probably best known for her scathing critiques of corporate power.”

The host mentions Naomi Klein's book 'No Logo' to highlight her reputation for critiquing corporate power. This serves as a backdrop to discuss Klein's more recent work and observations during the pandemic.

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Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History

The Ezra Klein Show · 1:22:05

And the third book is a book called Fire Alarm, reading Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History by Michael Lowy.

Here Where We Live Is Our Country, the story of the Jewish Bund

The Ezra Klein Show · 1:21:44

I guess we've been talking around this, but my friend Molly Crabapple has an absolutely brilliant book coming out called Here Where We Live Is Our Co…

Empire of AI

The Ezra Klein Show · 1:21:21

Empire of AI by Karen Howe. It's just such an incredible combination of just on the ground, globetrotting investigative reporting, making the materia…

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