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How Trump-style authoritarians lose

February 17, 2026·26m

Lessons from the defeat of the "Trump of the Tropics." This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. It was supported by a grant from Protect Democracy. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace. Photo by Ton Molina/NurPhoto via Getty Images.