In my 2021 book analyzing Donald Trump’s first term, I wrote “Not only were there different policy options and directions, but the cultural artifacts of politics changed because of how this president dramatically challenged the existing norms of political behavior and action.”

As Jews, we have experienced at various stages in our epic history authoritarian leadership. Even within more recent times, our people encountered such dominant and destructive figures as Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Putin, and Peron. Later, in this essay, we will return to the particular implications for Jews in connection with the rise of authoritarian rule, and more directly, the “Trump Effect”.

Donald Trump’s political footprint has been transformative. As a result of his policies and his distinctive leadership style, he has reintroduced us to the world of authoritarianism. This president has been quite transparent in laying out not only his game plan but the process by which he intends to govern. On his first day in office, the White House released “President Trump’s America First Priorities” detailing his agenda and framing his governance model.

Over the course of history, political theorists from Plato to Hobbs, from Machiavelli to Carlyle have framed the principles and practices that define such types of leaders.

Posted below are some of the characteristics that frame this model:

In studying Nicollo Machiavelli’s The Prince, one appreciates more fully how authoritarian rulers

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