Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(134,072 posts)
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 08:54 PM Feb 3

Authoritarianism Expert Says Donald Trump Is Doing The Exact Thing That Never Ends Well [View all]

Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat says Donald Trump is falling into the same trap that has undone authoritarian-minded leaders throughout history.

Despite declining approval ratings, Ben-Ghiat argued in a guest essay for The New York Times that the president is making the age-old error of believing his own hype.

“I have seen this brand of strongman megalomania and the adverse effects it can ultimately have on leaders and their governments,” wrote Ben-Ghiat, the author of “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present.”

Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history at New York University, described the phenomenon as “autocratic backfire.” It occurs when leaders “cut themselves off from expert advice and objective feedback,” “promulgate unscrutinized policies that fail” and then “double down and engage in even riskier behavior,” she said.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/authoritarianism-expert-says-donald-trump-110415476.html

Instead of experts Trump has surrounded himself with sycophants and ass kissers.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Authoritarianism Expert S...