A record seven Muslim candidates were elected on Tuesday, as well as a flock of Christian clergy. On this week’s On the Media, hear about the resurgence of the religious left, and how the mainstream press covered the trend. Plus, a Russian journalist says that preserving American democracy requires not only constant vigilance, but constant reinvention.[01:00]&nbsp; Brooke chats with <a href="https://religionnews.com/author/jackjenkins/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jack Jenkins</a>, national reporter for <a href="https://religionnews.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Religion News Service</a>, about the political victories scored by the religious left during the midterm elections, and how the mainstream press has covered them.[20:09]&nbsp; Micah sits down with <a href="https://www.public-reason.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zack Beauchamp</a>,&nbsp;author of the new Substack publication Public Reason, to talk about how America fended off serious threats to our elections, and where the country now stands in its attempt to avoid autocracy.[33:43]&nbsp; Brooke chats with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/m-gessen?eafs_enabled=false" rel="noopener noreferrer">M. Gessen</a>, opinion columnist for The New York Times, about how their rules for surviving autocracy have held up over the past 10 years of Trumpism, and how these midterm elections were a clear call to both parties that voters want the system to change.&nbsp;&nbsp;Further reading / watching:<ul><li>“<a href="https://religionnews.com/2026/11/04/on-election-night-the-religious-left-is-back/" rel="noopener noreferrer">On Election night, the religious left is back</a>,” by Jack Jenkins</li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/american-prophets-jack-jenkins?variant=42511189606434" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country</a>, by Jack Jenkins</li><li>“<a href="https://www.public-reason.com/p/trumps-authoritarianism-caused-the" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trump’s authoritarianism caused the Democratic tsunami</a>,” by Zack Beauchamp</li><li>“<a href="https://www.nybooks.com/online/2016/11/10/trump-election-autocracy-rules-for-survival/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Autocracy: Rule for Survival,</a>” by M. Gessen&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;
On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (<a href="https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm">https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm</a>). Follow our show on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onthemedia/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/onthemedia.bsky.social">Bluesky</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@onthemedia">TikTok</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OnTheMedia">Facebook</a> @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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