Author, Scholar, Brewer and Gardener
Early in the Republican nominating contest for president, Matthew MacWilliams warned that President Donald Trump’s activation of American authoritarians would make his candidacy virtually unstoppable. His articles on Trump in POLITICO, the London School of Economics blog, and VOX sparked an international media debate that contributed to the framing of Trump and his tactics as authoritarian. His work was reprinted or referenced by leading media around the world including CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Washington Post, Newsweek, New York Times columnist David Brooks, NPR, The Atlantic, and Der Spiegel. He has presented to elected officials and civil society leaders in the United States and Europe about the rise of authoritarianism and its implications for the future of democracy. On Fascism: 12 Lessons From American History is his first book.
He is a long-time political professional, establishing MacWilliams Sanders Communications — a campaign- and issues-driven media strategy firm — more than 20 years ago.
MacWilliams earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Massachusetts and studied at the University of Pennsylvania for his bachelor’s degree.
He resides in Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife, tending to his backyard garden, brewing beer and frequently visiting his neighborhood’s dog park.