Soviet-born author and political analyst Michael Malice has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a troubling shift in American society toward Soviet-style informant tactics. During the pandemic, citizens reportedly turned in neighbors for violating lockdown rules, sometimes boasting about their actions.

Speaking on the "Planet Tyrus" podcast, Malice emphasized that authoritarian regimes rely not only on military force but also on civilian participation to enforce control. He stated, "I think the first time Americans realized the nature of evil was during COVID. Because COVID was the first time we saw in this country, people were turning in their neighbors and were bragging about it. They were happy: 'I got this cashier fired.' That was very Soviet."

Malice further remarked, "It's the fact that small-minded people are tripping over themselves to implement these dictatorships and turn in their neighbors."

He is the author of "The White Pill," a book examining the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and its tactics.

Separately, Anthony Fauci, a leading public health official during the pandemic, appeared before Congress on Wednesday, August 1, 2026. Newly exposed diary entries reportedly reveal Fauci privately took credit for COVID-19 lockdowns despite public denials.

Malice also criticized the enforcement of lockdowns, noting that Democrats went as far as filling outdoor skate parks with sand to prevent use, urging Americans not to forget these actions.

Sources

Notable Quotes

  • "Authoritarian regimes don't rely solely on military force, but on the participation of civilians as well." – Michael Malice
  • "They were happy: 'I got this cashier fired.' That was very Soviet." – Michael Malice
  • "So that was the first time I think Americans realized that these systems, which are dictatorial, it's not through force. It's the fact that small-minded people are tripping over themselves to implement these dictatorships and turn in their neighbors." – Michael Malice
  • "Democrats went as far as filling outdoor skate parks with sand to enforce their draconian COVID-19 lockdowns. Americans should never forget what they did." – Michael Malice
  • "Anthony Fauci, who served as one of the nation's leading public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic, appeared before Congress on Wednesday."