Facts of Life

Dictator-Like Behaviors Critics Point To.
They don’t mean he IS a dictator…..yet

1. Threats to use government power against political opponents

Examples commonly cited:

Saying he would “terminate” parts of the Constitution to stay in power.
Pledging to use the DOJ to “go after” opponents like Biden and political critics.
Calling for the imprisonment of political rivals (“lock her up,” “lock them up,” etc.).
Promising mass firings of civil servants and replacing them with loyalists.

Why people call this dictator-like:
Authoritarian leaders use legal systems to punish opponents rather than to uphold rule of law.

2. Attempts to overturn or stay in power after losing an election

This is the biggest example cited by scholars:

Dictator-like parallel:
Trying to subvert electoral outcomes is one of the defining markers of authoritarian behavior.

3. Trying to weaken checks and balances

Critics point to:

Calling judges who ruled against him “Obama judges” or “so-called judges.”
Claiming he had “total authority” over states during COVID.
Declaring he could ignore congressional appropriations to shift funds for the border wall after Congress said no.
Repeatedly purging Inspectors General who investigated misconduct.

Why it’s called dictator-like:
Dictators often dismantle independent institutions and consolidate power.

4. Admiration for actual authoritarian leaders

A consistent pattern:

Praising Putin, Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping, and Erdoğan.
Saying things like dictators are “strong leaders.”
Saying he wished the U.S. had a system where people “sit up and listen” the way they do for Xi.

Why this matters:
Admiring authoritarian leadership styles suggests an affinity for concentrated power.

5. Using violent rhetoric and encouraging political violence

Examples:

Telling rally crowds to “knock the crap out of” protesters.
Saying the military/police should be tougher on suspects.
Calling Jan 6 rioters “patriots” and promising pardons.
Referring to immigrants as “poisoning the blood,” echoing classic authoritarian language.

Dictator-like:
Autocrats often use dehumanization and endorse violence to maintain control.

6. Claiming he alone can fix the country

Repeated phrases:

Why this is authoritarian:
Dictators use personality cults, where loyalty centers around the individual, not systems.

7. Discrediting independent media

Statements include:

Dictator-like:
Authoritarians delegitimize media so citizens rely only on the leader’s narrative.

8. Proposals for mass detention or deportation

Recently, Trump has:

Why it’s called authoritarian:
Mass incarceration and military involvement in domestic policy are hallmarks of authoritarian regimes.

In short

People call Trump “dictator-like” because he has repeatedly shown:

If you want, I can also give you reasons why he’s compared to Hitler, but I’m sure you know.

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