Facts to keep in mind.... In thinking that Trump becomes "an authoritarian leader."

[Stuart G]

1. Trump does not control the media
2. Trump does not control elections..If he did, we would have lost the last 2 special elections. We won. The states control elections, not the federal government
3. Trump does not control the judicial system.
4. Trump does not control Congress. Yes there is a republican majority, but an attempt to take over the government would not be successful in my opinion.
5. A majority of the country does not support him. There would have to be a whole lot of .."I don't care who is the president" for some kind of take over to be successful. Trump has created a very strong opposition.
At least 65 percent would be totally against him abusing any of his power.
6. Many other republican leaders would not support him. (many would, but I think many wouldn't)
7. Any move in that direction would have total and complete democratic party opposition. Trump would have to outlaw the democratic party..impossible..
8. For anything like that to even have a chance, the military would have to be behind him. I think most of our military leaders think he is "nuts" just like the rest of us. I don't think they would follow orders to do such a thing.
9. There is an election coming up in November. Any move, would make that the major issue.
10. I believe he could not get away with it if he tried. He knows there is a whole lot of opposition to him, and so do most of his so called "sane" advisors. Some of those closest to him, would oppose any such move. Those opposing him would think he as totally "lost it" and take steps to stop him..

That is 10. Any other ideas?

[Fresh_Start]

1. 11. He is a hair's breadth away from going completely off the rails by any measure

and we should be goading him every minute of every day

[Stuart G]

3. If we know that, then the people close to him know that.

If Trump does "go completely off the rails" we will all see it. Trump is not very good at hiding his true feelings. I do think appropriate steps will be taken if he is .."totally gone" Maybe not? Who knows?

[regnaD kciN]

8. How would "going off the rails" noticeably differ from what we see every day...?

Seriously, I think it should have been obvious by now to everyone. What more does he have to do...suddenly decide that he needs a yuge military parade in his honor? Oh, wait a minute...

[HopeAgain]

2. We have a single solution that is simple, not easy

Get out the vote. 60% of Americans recognize Trump is a joke.

[Stuart G]

4. That it....."It is that simple"....4 more words.: "Get out the vote"

[Thekaspervote]

5. Thanks!! We all need to remember to keep our eyes on the prize

[regnaD kciN]

6. Unfortunately, #8 is the primary factor...

...as, if the military is behind him, all the rest can be easily dealt with. And today's military is as reactionary as they come, with large influxes of evangelical Christians to boot. Whether our "military leaders" think he is "nuts" or not is irrelevant -- if he gives the order to impose martial law due to "civil disturbances," do you think the entire military leadership would stand united against him? I'm sure there are some who would reason that "it's our duty to obey our commander-in-chief." And, if some go along with it, I'm sure they'd get near-unanimous support from rank-and-file officers and soldiers.

[ProudLib72]

7. You're right. He is not an authoritarian leader. He IS a mob boss

In real life the mob is stupid, fat, and ugly. Go down to little Italy and watch them. They are full of themselves, but totally incompetent, and they just plain look silly. THAT is tRump to a tee.

[lastlib]

9. The Fourteen Defining Characteristics of Fascism:

Fourteen Defining Characteristics of Fascism

Free Inquiry, Spring 2003

Dwump hits them all. By every academic standard, he is an authoritarian fascist. I don't think all of these are barriers to him making moves to seize greater power.