The New York Times recently published an article Are We Losing Our Democracy? where they looked at various signs of dictatorship or autocracy and whether we had crossed that line. (I also provided the text in a Facebook post for those without NY Times access). I am going to look at each segment in turn and provide my own thoughts.
#10 - Creates a Cult of Personality
Emperors and kings often glorified themselves by displaying their portraits everywhere. The American tradition has rejected that kind of hagiography for living presidents. Our leaders haven’t needed to puff themselves up this way, until now.
That Trump fosters a cult of personality has been obvious since before his first term. The trappings of this go beyond, and are separate, from the cultish way his core followers unquestioningly believe everything he says, even when he contradicts himself. As he campaigned for the presidency the first time he insisted that "he alone" could fix the problems that he claimed that plagued the country. Here is a list, in no particular order, of the ways that he has put himself on a pedestal and sought to equate the nation with himself.
- He posts a meme wear he wears a crown
- Proposes a prescription referral service called TrumpRx
- The new permanent resident visa, are being called the "Trump Gold Card" and will have his image on them
- He renamed the Kennedy Center the Trump-Kennedy Center
- The United States Institute for Peace is now the Donald J. Trump Institute for Peace
- Child investment account that were part of the 2025 tax bill are called Trump Accounts
- Government building have giant banners with his face on them hanging in front
- There is talk about minting a one dollar gold coin with his face on it
- The ballroom that will replace the destroyed East Wing of the White is supposed be named after him
- Lavish military parade on his birthday
- He has ordered a new class of naval vessel class called The Trump Class
The Trump cult of personality plays into his claims — common among
autocrats — that he possesses a unique ability to solve the country’s problems.
As he put it, “I alone can fix it.” He seeks to equate himself with the federal
government, as if it does not exist without him.
Part I - Stifling Dissent and Free Speech
Part II - Persecution of Political Opponents
Part III - Bypassing the Legislature
Part IV - Using The Military For Domestic & Political Purposes
Part VI - Declares National Emergencies Under False Pretenses
Part VII - Vilifies Marginalized Groups
