Why Donald Trump Poses a Threat to American Democracy
Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Donald Trump poses a significant threat to American democracy. He is a psychopathic criminal with racist and fascist tendencies, leading a cult-like following of MAGA zombies who believe his every lie and conspiracy theory.
Despite his destructive actions, many Americans are willing to re-elect him as president. It is crucial to continuously remind the public of these facts throughout the year.
Trump’s victory in the Iowa caucuses solidified his control over the Republican Party, which has become a mere vessel for his cult-like movement. Even Republican politicians who once contested his leadership have now surrendered and compete to show their unwavering loyalty to Trump. Those who oppose him either remain silent collaborators or have left the party altogether.
While it is almost certain that Trump will secure the Republican nomination for the third time, the real question lies in whether non-MAGA Americans will remember why they chose his opponent in 2020.
Trump is counting on America’s recency bias and the short attention span fueled by social media to overshadow the ugliness and criminality of his first term. The danger lies in the normalization of Trump’s egotism and dishonesty during the presidential campaign, where voters may view his flaws as mere character traits rather than grave concerns for the nation.
The Importance of Comprehensive Coverage
The political press corps plays a significant role in shaping public perception. However, they often prioritize the horse-race aspects of elections, focusing on poll numbers rather than policy substance or the threat Trump poses to democracy.
Political reporters fear being perceived as biased, leading them to provide “balance” by covering purported scandals involving Joe Biden that Republicans have fabricated. This dynamic allows congressional Republicans, who have become Trump lackeys, to deceive the American people and push their autocratic interests.
The truth is that this presidential race is a contest between a reasonable, centrist Democrat and a potential dictator. It is crucial for reporters to acknowledge this reality and provide comprehensive coverage that highlights the dangers of a Trump presidency.
This upcoming election could be the last free one in American history. If Trump wins and his MAGA acolytes gain control of Congress, they will work tirelessly to dismantle the American republic and undermine the electoral process.
Trump’s Dangerous Ambitions
One alarming aspect of Trump’s dictatorial ambitions is the striking parallels between his view of the January 6 insurrection and Adolf Hitler’s perspective on the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923. Both events served as dress rehearsals for seizing power.
Trump now sees the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as a pivotal moment in the birth of his MAGA movement, similar to how Hitler viewed the Beer Hall Putsch. The failed coup in Bavaria was intended to be followed by a march on Berlin to take control of Germany. However, the Nazis were defeated, and Hitler was arrested and imprisoned. Yet, the putsch became central to the Third Reich’s origin story, with Hitler turning the dead Nazis into martyrs.
Trump’s rhetoric already portrays the rioters arrested for their involvement in January 6 as “hostages.” If he regains the presidency, it is not far-fetched to imagine him mythologizing the mob and even pushing for a monument to the insurrection on the National Mall in Washington, similar to the Nazi memorials in Munich.
It is crucial not to normalize Donald Trump. The future of American democracy depends on recognizing the threat he poses and taking action to prevent his re-election.
