In this episode of 'The Ezra Klein Show,' Ezra Klein engages with historian Anne Applebaum about Donald Trump's recent appointees, including controversial figures like Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard. They discuss how these appointments may undermine key government institutions, such as the military and Department of Justice, pushing the U.S. towards autocracy. Applebaum warns of the dangers of consolidating power, using intimidation tactics against opponents, and eroding democratic integrity. The conversation reflects on the shifting support of tech leaders for Trump and how the politics of performance have overtaken substantive policy-making, signaling a troubling trend in governance.