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What Happens When a Megalomaniac Begins to Fail

February 14, 2026·34 min·3 clips

Ruth Ben-Ghiat reveals how megalomaniacs like Trump believe they are infallible and pay no price for their actions.

The hosts and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat explore the psychology of megalomaniacs like Donald Trump, examining historical patterns of autocratic rule and the 'autocratic backfire' phenomenon where failing leaders become more dangerous. They discuss how Trump's declining popularity could lead to riskier actions, drawing parallels to dictators like Mussolini and Putin.

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