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Donald Trump’s first step to becoming a would-be autocrat – hijacking a party

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By Justin Bergman, The Conversation

We used to have a pretty clear idea of what an autocrat was. History is full of examples: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, along with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping today. The list goes on.

So, where does Donald Trump fit in?

In this six-part podcast series, The Making of an Autocrat, we are asking six experts on authoritarianism and US politics to explain how exactly an autocrat is made – and whether Trump is on his way to becoming one.

Like strongmen around the world, Trump’s first step was to take control of a party, explains Erica Frantz, associate professor of political science at Michigan State University.

Trump began this process long before his victory in the 2024 US presidential election. When he first entered the political stage in 2015, he started to transform the Republican Party into his party, alienating his critics, elevating his loyalists to positions of power and maintaining total control through threats and intimidation.

And once a would-be autocrat dominates a party like this, they have a legitimate vehicle to begin dismantling a democracy. As Frantz explains:

Now, many Republican elites see it as political suicide to stand up to Trump. So, fast forward to 2024, and we have a very personalist Trump party – the party is synonymous with Trump.

Not only does the party have a majority in the legislature, but it is Trump’s vehicle. And our research has shown this is a major red flag for democracy. It’s going to enable Trump to get rid of executive constraints in a variety of domains, which he has, and pursue his strongman agenda.

Listen to the interview with Erica Frantz at The Making of an Autocrat podcast.

This episode was written by Justin Bergman and produced and edited by Isabella Podwinski and Ashlynne McGhee. Sound design by Michelle Macklem.

Newsclips in this episode from CNN, The Telegraph, CNN and Nayib Bukele’s YouTube channel.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feedor find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available via the Apple Podcasts or Spotify apps.

Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Commentary

There Is New Convincing Theory on Why Epstein’s Death Might Be a Grand Cover Up

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A new online theory circulating this week has reopened long-standing doubts about the death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — this time centering on a medical discrepancy involving his prostate.

The claim, amplified by commentary from Jimmy Dore on The Jimmy Dore Show, suggests that Epstein previously underwent a radical prostatectomy — a complete removal of the prostate gland — yet autopsy notes reportedly reference the presence of a prostate. If true, proponents argue, the body examined could not have been Epstein’s.

“No way that was Jeffrey Epstein’s body,” Dore said during a segment now circulating widely on Instagram.

The Medical Claim

According to the show, documents in the “Epstein files” reference a radical prostatectomy performed on Epstein. Dore then cites what he describes as autopsy findings that mention a prostate being present and slightly enlarged.

The argument follows a simple line of reasoning: If Epstein’s prostate was surgically removed, and a prostate was observed during autopsy, then the body examined was not his.

The show further asserts that modern medicine cannot regenerate a fully functional human prostate, reinforcing the claim that such a discrepancy would be biologically impossible.

On its face, the logic appears straightforward — and for audiences already skeptical about the circumstances of Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody, it lands as “almost conclusive proof,” as Dore phrased it.

Why Doubts Persist

Epstein’s death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York was officially ruled a suicide by hanging. However, from the outset, the case has been dogged by irregularities: malfunctioning cameras, sleeping guards, and delayed checks.

Previous reporting, including coverage by ABC News, has detailed statements from Epstein’s brother and legal team questioning whether he took his own life.

The combination of high-profile associates, institutional failures, and sealed investigative records has kept conspiracy theories alive for years.

Examining the “Prostate Discrepancy”

But does the new claim withstand scrutiny?

Medical and forensic experts note that documentation terminology can be misunderstood by non-specialists. A radical prostatectomy removes the prostate gland, but surrounding tissue structures remain. In some cases, residual tissue or documentation shorthand may reference anatomical areas even after surgical removal.

Autopsy reports can also describe the region where an organ would be located, even if partially or fully absent. Without access to the complete medical file, including surgical records and full autopsy documentation, isolated excerpts can be misleading.

There is also no verified public confirmation — through court records or authenticated medical files — that Epstein underwent a radical prostatectomy.

As with many viral claims, the theory relies heavily on selective interpretation of documents whose provenance and context remain unclear.

The Pattern of Post-Death Conspiracies

High-profile deaths — especially those tied to powerful networks — frequently generate alternative narratives. In Epstein’s case, distrust of institutions fuels the persistence of such claims.

The unresolved public appetite for accountability in the broader Epstein scandal has created fertile ground for speculation. Many Americans remain dissatisfied with the scope of prosecutions connected to his case.

Yet suspicion alone does not constitute proof.

A Grand Cover-Up — Or a Grand Assumption?

The new prostate-based theory is persuasive to those already convinced that Epstein’s death was staged. But without independently verified medical records demonstrating both a confirmed prostatectomy and an authenticated autopsy contradiction, the argument remains speculative.

That does not erase the legitimate concerns surrounding how Epstein died under federal supervision. It does, however, underscore the importance of distinguishing between institutional failure and evidentiary proof of a body swap or staged death.

For now, the claim adds another chapter to one of the most controversial custodial deaths in modern American history — but not definitive closure.

In cases like this, the truth may not be simple. But it is rarely established through social media fragments alone.

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At a glance: US‑Israel attack on Iran

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More than 100 children in Iran have been killed by US and Israeli air strikes on a school in Minab in southern Iran, according to Iranian authorities. Global Eye News/Social media

Digital Storytelling Team, The Conversation

The US and Israel have launched joint coordinated attacks on Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes from Iran on Israel and US military bases in the region.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader for 36 years, has been killed in the strikes, Iranian state media reported.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says he was killed early Saturday morning at his office. Satellite imagery shows significant damage to parts of the Leadership House compound, which is Khamenei’s office in Tehran.


Iranian school struck

More than 100 children have reportedly been killed by US and Israeli air strikes on a school, according to Iranian authorities. They say the strikes hit a girls’ elementary school in the city of Minab in the country’s south.

Video has emerged of crowds of people searching through the rubble.

https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1360/a73fb5da2503d872211c01fa8c05a91e5cc5a320/site/index.html

“Hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured as a result of the aggression and atrocious crime of the United States regime and the Israeli regime, and the deliberate … targeting of civilian infrastructure,” Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.


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Digital Storytelling Team, The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Harsh realities facing Ghanaians in Canada

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In this revealing commentary, Stephen Armah Quaye dismantles the popular myth that migration to Canada guarantees automatic success and prosperity for Ghanaians. Drawing attention to the stark contrast between social media portrayals and lived reality, Quaye outlines the multifaceted challenges facing Ghanaian immigrants: brutal winter conditions that test physical and mental endurance, professional downgrading where credentials go unrecognized, a punishing housing crisis that forces overcrowded living arrangements, and the relentless pressure of high living costs that necessitates multiple jobs just for survival. Beyond the economic hardships, he explores the emotional toll of family separation, social isolation, and the often-unspoken burden of expectations from relatives back home who assume wealth is instantaneous upon arrival.


Harsh realities facing Ghanaians in Canada

By Stephen Armah Quaye

Everyone wants to travel to Canada or the United States of America.
Everyone believes life there is easy. But what if I told you that for thousands of Ghanaians abroad, survival, not success, is the daily struggle? There is a side of migration nobody posts on social media. No filters. No airport photos. No smiling selfies in winter jackets. Just hard truths.
Before you pack your bags and say goodbye to Ghana, here is what you need to know.

The Other Side of the Dream

For many young Ghanaians, Canada represents opportunity, stability, and prosperity. It is seen as a land where hard work automatically produces success. Families gather at airports with tears of joy, believing their relative is stepping into an instant transformation. But migration is not magic. It is a transition, often a difficult one.

The Weather Shock

One of the first harsh realities facing Ghanaians in Canada is the weather.
Coming from a tropical country where sunshine dominates most of the year, winter in Canada can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Temperatures drop far below zero. Snow blankets roads and sidewalks. The wind can pierce through layers of clothing. Winter is not just cold; it is exhausting.
Many immigrants wake up as early as 4:00 a.m., stepping into darkness and freezing temperatures to catch buses to work. Public transport delays during snowstorms are common. Walking even short distances becomes physically demanding.

Seasonal depression is real. Long months without adequate sunlight affect mood, energy, and mental health. For someone unprepared, winter alone can become a serious emotional test.

Employment and Credential Barriers

Another harsh reality is employment, specifically underemployment.
Many Ghanaians arrive with degrees and professional experience. Engineers, teachers, accountants, nurses, and other skilled workers often discover that their credentials are not immediately recognised in Canada. Licensing requirements, additional certifications, and “Canadian experience” become barriers.

As a result, many find themselves taking survival jobs such as factory work, warehouse labour, cleaning services, security shifts, or restaurant jobs. There is dignity in all honest work, but it can be emotionally draining when years of education do not translate into professional recognition. Some immigrants send money home and project success, but internally they struggle with frustration and identity loss. The reality is simple: being educated does not guarantee immediate success in Canada.

The Housing Crisis

Housing is another significant challenge. Rent in major Canadian cities is extremely expensive. In some cases, a single room can consume more than half of a person’s monthly income. Apartments require credit checks, proof of employment, and deposits. As a result, many newcomers share accommodation. Two or three people may occupy one bedroom. Some live-in basements with limited ventilation. Others rely on temporary stays with friends until they stabilise financially.

Meanwhile, families back home may assume their relative abroad owns a spacious apartment or house. The truth is different. Many immigrants are simply trying to secure safe and affordable shelter.

High Cost of Living

The cost of living in Canada is significantly higher than many expect.
Groceries are expensive. Transportation costs add up quickly. Winter clothing is costly but necessary. Phone bills, internet services, and insurance payments are ongoing financial commitments.
Healthcare in Canada is publicly funded, but not everything is covered. Dental care, prescription medication, and some specialist services often require private insurance or out-of-pocket payment.
For many immigrants, income disappears quickly once bills are paid. Savings take time. Financial stability does not happen overnight. This financial pressure pushes some individuals to work two or even three jobs, often with little rest. The goal is not luxury. The goal is survival.

Utility Bills and Winter Expenses

Winter brings additional financial strain.
Heating costs rise significantly during cold months. Electricity and gas bills can increase unexpectedly. Missing payments can lead to service disruptions and penalties.
Life can become a cycle: work, pay bills, repeat. The image of comfort and ease often portrayed abroad does not reflect this ongoing pressure.

Social Isolation and Emotional Strain

Beyond economics, there is emotional hardship. Migration separates families. Parents miss milestones in their children’s lives. Spouses endure long-distance marriages. Friendships change.
Loneliness is common, especially during the early years. Community networks help, but the adjustment period can be mentally challenging. Cultural differences, accent barriers, and subtle discrimination can also make integration difficult.

Pressure from Home

Perhaps one of the most overlooked realities is pressure from back home. Families often expect financial support. Some assume that anyone living in Canada is wealthy. When money does not flow as expected, disappointment may arise.

In some cases, funds sent home for projects such as building houses are mismanaged. This adds emotional and financial stress to an already difficult situation. Expectations can weigh heavily on immigrants who are still struggling to establish themselves.

A Call for Informed Migration

This article is not meant to discourage migration. Canada offers opportunities, safety, quality education, and structured systems. Many Ghanaians have succeeded and built fulfilling lives there.
However, success requires preparation so, if you are considering migration, research your profession and licensing requirements, save sufficient funds before travelling, prepare mentally for weather and cultural adjustment, develop adaptable skills, and build realistic expectations.

Migration is not an escape from hardship; it is often a different kind of hardship. The dream is possible, but it is earned through resilience, patience, sacrifice, and strategic planning.

Before you migrate, know the full story, not just the glamorous parts. Because sometimes, survival itself is an achievement.

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