Donald Trump and how history repeats itself
Before his ascent to power he became a media darling. Once he became the leader of his country he quickly attacked the press claiming that it was engaging in “falsedades,” or fake news. He demonized the New York Times, a publication that had been one of several that had written positively about him in his rise. He attacked individual reporters and ostracized them publicly.
He broke off with traditional allies and aligned himself with Russia. He began to support former enemies of his country. He praised those who had served in the Soviet KGB. He promoted and praised groups of extremists that supported him and attacked and threatened those who disagreed with his politics. He overlooked their violent activities against the people since their actions inured to his benefit. He told them to stand by ready to defend him. He began to isolate himself and his country from much of the world. He considered the premier of North Korea a friend.
He attacked judges that did not render decisions according to his plan and eventually attacked the Supreme Court that had ruled in his favor repeatedly. He imposed tariffs that adversely impacted the economy. He lied in his public speeches about the state of his country, the economy and the health and welfare of his people. He wrote and spoke constantly about perceived wrongs done to him in the past, disinformed the people about the statistics of past economic times, blamed the former president for anything that still was wrong years into his rule, and demanded the prosecution of those who disagreed with him or had in his mind done him wrong. He weaponized agencies of law enforcement against imaginary enemies just to get at those who challenged him. To be appointed to a political position in his government, the only qualification needed was loyalty to him.
He divided his people and drew strength from the fact that one brother was pitted against another in the cult atmosphere that infected his followers. He never promoted national unity but instead chastised those who disagreed with him and praised only those who agreed with him. During several of his speeches, he noted with great pride that he could have a husband executed and the widow would still support him.
https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2025/05/01/donald-trump-how-history-repeats-itself-column/