leon s. lissek

Melania Trump: From Slovenian Supermodel to First Lady (and Beyond)Melania Trump, née Knauss, remains an enigma even after serving as the 45th First Lady of the United States. From her beginnings as a Slovenian supermodel to her reign at the White House, Melania's life has been a captivating blend of glitz, controversy, and quiet influence.Early Life and Modeling Career:Born in Sevnica, Slovenia, in 1970, Melania began modeling at a young age.Her striking beauty and multilingual skills led her to international success, gracing runways in Milan, Paris, and New York.In 1996, she moved to the US...

To many, our most shocking political crises appear unprecedented—un-American, even. But they are not, writes The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer in this prescient essay collection, which dissects the most devastating moments in recent memory to reveal deeply entrenched dynamics, patterns as old as the country itself. The January 6 insurrection, anti-immigrant sentiment, and American authoritarianism all have historic roots that explain their continued power with or without President Donald Trump—a fact borne out by what has happened since his departure from the White House.

How did America end up with a leader who acts so crudely and despotically, and counter to our democratic principles? Why do his followers stick with him, even when he acts against their interests? John Dean, a man with a history of standing up to autocratic presidents, joins with Bob Altemeyer, a psychology professor with a unique area of expertise: authoritarianism. Together, using psychological diagnostic tools, as well as exclusive research and analysis from the Monmouth University Polling Institute, the authors provide us with an eye-opening understanding of the Trump phenomenon.