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The Scramble: Hitler, Michelle Obama, Trump's Cabinet

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Michelle Obama
His followers were “impressionable voters” duped by “radical doctrines and quack remedies,” claimed The Washington Post. Now that Hitler actually had to operate within a government the “sober” politicians would “submerge” this movement, according to The New York Times and Christian Science Monitor. A “keen sense of dramatic instinct” was not enough. When it came to time to govern, his lack of “gravity” and “profundity of thought” would be exposed.

If you didn't catch the reference to Hitler in John Broich's essay exploring the quandary of a media unsure how to cover an unprecedented political figure, you'd think he was talking about Donald Trump. How should the media treat a politician who continues to act outside political norms - even after elected by the people?

Also this hour: Jodi Kantor's biography, The Obamas, was released just prior to the 2012 election and focused as much on First Lady Michelle Obama as on her husband. This week, she releases a new edition to coincide with their departure. 

Lastly, Congressional hearings for Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet appointments are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. The director of the Office of Government Ethics warns against holding hearings before the vetting process is complete. Congressional Republicans say no dice. Did I mention that the hearings are set to quietly coincide with Trump’s press conference and Obama’s farewell address? 

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Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.