What’s Up America?

In the organizer's words:

Donald Trump's return to the White House has once again brought the political situation in the United States to a head. Questions about the future of American democracy, the rule of law, the separation of powers, media freedom and international responsibility have taken on a new urgency.

At the same time, the global environment is changing: Trade conflicts, security policy tensions, social polarization and the growing influence of technological and religious-conservative centers of power are shaping the political dynamics in the USA - with direct consequences for Europe and Germany.

On June 4, 2026, the Federal Agency for Civic Education/bpb will resume a proven format with "What's Up America" and focus on current political, social and international developments in the USA.

The series kicks off with the event: "On the road to authoritarianism?-America's democracy under stress"

The focus will be on the question of the separation of powers, the rule of law and democratic norms under Donald Trump's second presidency. Among other things, the role of the judiciary, the independence of the media, the protection of democratic institutions and questions of elections, participation and political polarization will be discussed.

Speakers and moderation:

Prof. Dr. Jan-Werner Müller researches and teaches as Professor of Political Theory at Princeton University. His academic focus is on the history of European ideas and on issues relating to democracy and populism. His book What is Populism? and other analyses of the state of democratic systems have reached a large international audience.

Dr. Julia Duchrow has been Secretary General of Amnesty International Germany since November 2023. She works intensively on human rights policy, the rule of law and civil society spaces for action. Recently, her focus has increasingly been on authoritarian developments in the USA and their international consequences.

Fritz Espenlaub is a journalist and author. He achieved great fame with his podcast The Peter Thiel Story. In it, he sheds light on the tech billionaire, his ideological network and its far-reaching influence on the American right and the Trump movement

Amrai Coen moderates the event. She is a journalist at Die Zeit and a long-time US correspondent. In her reporting, she has dealt extensively with social conflicts, political polarization and everyday life in the United States.