It should be clear to all Americans with eyes to see that we are witnessing the rise of a despotic presidency whose administration will test this democratic republic in ways which it has never known. The dangers that lie ahead could very well dwarf those that we faced when the United States Capitol came under attack on January 6, 2021 – an attack which was brought on by the same man who now occupies the Oval Office. The difference is that this president is only further emboldened by the fact that he won the popular vote, and no doubt will be even less willing than before to hand over power when his administration comes to an end. Trump has already repeatedly floated the idea of running for a third term, even though to do so would be in violation of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

There are four features of despotism all of which are characteristic of Trump’s presidency. The first is contempt not merely for all Americans who refuse him their support, but even for those constituting his very base. Trump’s policies speak for themselves: he is trampling over the very people who have given him their unwavering support, by giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. As Howard Stern rightly observed, ‘The people Trump despises most love him the most.’ When the Covid pandemic was raging, Trump openly expressed gratitude for the contagious disease because it meant he didn’t have to shake hands with ‘these disgusting people.’ As The New Republic points out, ‘Trump has a history of despising his supporters.’ Again, this a feature which is not exclusive to Trump, but is a trait of despots, great and small, throughout history. I am reminded, for example, of Napoleon’s heartless response to the sight of his own soldiers drowning in a river during the Battle of Berezina and his disastrous retreat from Russia: ‘Voyes ces crapauds!’ – that is, ‘Look at those toads!’ Trump’s disdain for his own followers – to say nothing of his incivility towards his opponents – is just what one might expect from a man who has spent his life brutalizing and degrading those less fortunate than himself.

Another quality of despots like Trump is their corrupting influence on society, and their reshaping of the world around them in their own........

© Blitz