Opinion | The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect Sarah Palin's view.
A CNN reporter addressed Trump supporters calling the U.S. a republic as an “attack on democracy,” sparking a debate on the country’s governance.
Historian Anne Applebaum emphasized America as a democratic nation, attributing doubts to Trump’s influence and narrative.
The discussion delved into the constitutional definition of a republic, historical views on democracy, and the distinction between forms of governance.
“America is a democracy. It was founded as a democracy,” Applebaum said.
“I’ve heard a lot of conspiracy theories. I hear a lot of things out on the road, but to hear Americans, people who would describe themselves as patriots, say that America is not a democracy, that stopped me in my tracks,” CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan said.
“You are hearing people say America is not a democracy because there are people around Trump who want them to be saying that, who’ve been planting that narrative,” Applebaum said.
“Honestly, the word ‘democracy’ and the word ‘republic’ have often been used interchangeably,” Applebaum said. “There isn’t a meaningful difference between them.”
“If they can convince people that we don’t have a democracy, then it’s okay that Trump is attacking democracy, because it doesn’t really matter,” Applebaum added.
“There is, of course, a legitimate debate discussion to be had on what form of democracy we have here in the United States, direct democracy, representative democracy, in fact, constitutional republic, which you heard people mentioned in that piece, that is a form of democracy. But look, this is not actually a debate about government, about democracy, it’s an attack on democracy,” O’Sullivan said. “People have heard the warnings that Trump is a danger to democracy, and therefore you have people trying to convince others that, well, the United States isn’t a democracy in the first place, and therefore Trump can’t be a threat.”
