Trump: “Maybe we like a dictator”

[Ladle Ghoulash 52,797]

4 minutes ago, PartySick said:

I think he could still be an acting dictator, if that makes sense.

He doesn't have the authority to do half the sh*t he does but he does it anyway, people let him, and he faces no consequences other than his political opponents tut-tutting him.

Effectually, that is a dictator of sorts.

And yes, "theatre" is the key word here. Storming LA and DC with troops is just for show. He never had any goal other than making the news, exhausting us, and pissing off Democrats.

I would say the biggest sign of his dictatorship is ICE and all the illegal, unconstitutional abuse immigrants are currently facing with not an iota of consequences other than the occasional rowdy protester.

But the thing is: he’s actually had to stop doing a lot of the dictatorial things (return unlawful deportees, halt the construction of Alligator Alcatraz, remove troops from LA), so he can continue to push the bounds of his authority, but as of this moment, he doesn’t have the unbound/unilateral power to become a dictator and, barring some kind of hostile takeover (which, without significant public support or buy-in is an incredibly risky move), I see him as something of an aspirational dictator who, at least for the moment, is painted into a corner. 

Edited August 25, 2025 by Ladle Ghoulash

[PartySick 172,518]

1 minute ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

But the thing is: he’s actually had to stop doing a lot of the dictatorial things (return unlawful deportees, halt the construction of Alligator Alcatraz, remove troops from LA), so he can continue to push the bounds of his authority, but as of this moment, he doesn’t have the unbound/unilateral power to become a dictator and, barring some kind of hostile takeover (which, without significant public support or buy-in is an incredibly risky view), I see him as something of an aspirational dictator who, at least for the moment, is painted into a corner. 

Well, hopefully he d-words before either of us can be proven right or wrong

All I want for Christmas is...

[AVeryGagaHolyDick 31,960]

Why do we say he’s a dictator? (Genuine question)

He’s a monster anyway 

[Bronco 25,070]

22 minutes ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

He doesn’t have enough unilateral control over any branch of government to consolidate the necessary power to become a dictator, imo. Think about how limp dicked this whole “martial law” theatre has been (already retreated in LA, basically doing nothing in DC), what about this operation gives you any sense that this is a viable pathway to a takeover? 
 

I understand the argument about breaking laws and reshaping the system on a theoretical level and I think you’re right, but he doesn’t really have enough support to do things like: stage a military coup, rewrite the Constitution etc. So I don’t really see a clear path forward in terms of consolidating power in any direct way. Never said it wasn’t possible, but I’m not going to do him the favor of assuming he’s somehow going to be able to do it without a clear plan, which, at this point, there isn’t one.

The goal with LA & DC isn't the actual declaration of martial law though. It's theatre.

A few false flags that fizzle out and people dismiss meaning that the next declaration and threat isnt taken seriously. They got the best result, a good "look its not bad" moment. But likely also wanted violent resistance because it would have justified going heavier in a Reichstag fire decree moment. 

In the mean time, these false flags have let them war game methodology. Trial out best ways to deploy. And identify internal opposition within the National Guard etc. 

At the moment, the political theatre is very much geared at producing 2 results. Opposition gets lazy as they think the admin is failing & support gets radicalised and led to the desired end goals like rewriting constitution. And it is definitely working.

[Ladle Ghoulash 52,797]

20 minutes ago, Bronco said:

The goal with LA & DC isn't the actual declaration of martial law though. It's theatre.

A few false flags that fizzle out and people dismiss meaning that the next declaration and threat isnt taken seriously. They got the best result, a good "look its not bad" moment. But likely also wanted violent resistance because it would have justified going heavier in a Reichstag fire decree moment. 

In the mean time, these false flags have let them war game methodology. Trial out best ways to deploy. And identify internal opposition within the National Guard etc. 

At the moment, the political theatre is very much geared at producing 2 results. Opposition gets lazy as they think the admin is failing & support gets radicalised and led to the desired end goals like rewriting constitution. And it is definitely working.

Eh, I don’t really think that’s a very effective strategy. If the trials objectively fail and don’t produce a Reichstag fire moment, the administration looks increasingly weak and desperate. Also what makes a Reichstag moment successful is that it is able to unify people around what appears to be a legitimate crisis and the more and more the admin insists that the country is on fire without evidence, the more credibility they lose and the less buy-in they would be able to get for an authoritarian power grab.
 

I also don’t think these are designed as a war of attrition because I think, when you parse through the specifics of what legal mechanisms are being deployed in which setting, you’re actually able to better fight attempted or encroaching authoritarianism by refusing to treat hollow threats as legitimate and being able to recognize when a dire threshold is actually being crossed. 

Edited August 25, 2025 by Ladle Ghoulash

[Vimo 1,703]

1 hour ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

I’ve yet to see a viable pathway for it happening tbh. I agree that he obviously wants to be a dictator, but I just don’t get why people assume that he’ll be able to do it. 

Because he's been able to do all he already did.  

[Ladle Ghoulash 52,797]

1 minute ago, Vimo said:

Because he's been able to do all he already did.  

No, he hasn’t lol. He had to retreat from occupying LA and has stood down from many other executive power grabs this term.

[Bronco 25,070]

1 minute ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Eh, I don’t really think that’s a very effective strategy. If the trials objectively fail and don’t produce a Reichstag fire moment, the administration looks increasingly weak and desperate. Also what makes a Reichstag moment successful is that it is able to unify people around what appears to be a legitimate crisis and the more and more the admin insists that the country is on fire without evidence, the more credibility they lose and the less buy-in they would be able to get for an authoritarian power grab.
 

I also don’t think these are designed as a war of attrition because I think, when you parse through the specifics of what legal mechanisms are being deployed in which setting, you’re actually able to better fight attempted or encroaching authoritarianism by refusing to treat hollow threats as legitimate and being able to recognize when a dire threshold is actually being crossed. 

Honestly, I hope you are right.

But I firmly believe the idea that a dictatorship in America would require popular support is found on antiquated ideas of how such states are set up. 

Historically, dictatorships have absolutely required popular support to get them through the door(Germany) or to oppose the state itself (China/Russia).

Hitler was able to come to power through both popular support and elite level support (unlike Lenin or Mao). Once he was in power, the support of the people became increasingly less relevant and increasingly forced. 

The Trump backing Republicans have spent decades supporting external militias and white supremacists within the military. And where as historically, public support was needed to ensure limited opposition to the military. That isn't needed in the US. 

Doesnt matter how many hand guns and automatic rifles the opposition to Trump has. If he has enough of the military on side - which he will as the top brass have been desperate for this moment and the rank and file are brainwashed - there is no domestic opposition strong enough to stop them. And internationally, no powers capable or interested in preventing it.

I'd wager the only reason they haven't gone full hog yet is because the elites are fighting over who gets what. 

[Ladle Ghoulash 52,797]

Just now, Bronco said:

Honestly, I hope you are right.

But I firmly believe the idea that a dictatorship in America would require popular support is found on antiquated ideas of how such states are set up. 

Historically, dictatorships have absolutely required popular support to get them through the door(Germany) or to oppose the state itself (China/Russia).

Hitler was able to come to power through both popular support and elite level support (unlike Lenin or Mao). Once he was in power, the support of the people became increasingly less relevant and increasingly forced. 

The Trump backing Republicans have spent decades supporting external militias and white supremacists within the military. And where as historically, public support was needed to ensure limited opposition to the military. That isn't needed in the US. 

Doesnt matter how many hand guns and automatic rifles the opposition to Trump has. If he has enough of the military on side - which he will as the top brass have been desperate for this moment and the rank and file are brainwashed - there is no domestic opposition strong enough to stop them. And internationally, no powers capable or interested in preventing it.

I'd wager the only reason they haven't gone full hog yet is because the elites are fighting over who gets what. 

I’d argue popular support is even *more* essential in the US, given how big the country is. In terms of the military, given the malicious compliance we saw on his military parade, I don’t think he has them in the bag by any means (not to mention that the entire US armed forces isn’t even fully capable of occupying a city like LA in terms of civilian:soldier ratio, much less the entire country). I honestly think that lack of military support, in addition to lacking critical support in other key areas, is why the admin doesn’t risk fully breaking with the rule of law.

[Chromatislaps 34,854]

yes, only when they're in a mental ward.

[MOT 3,605]

Elections are key imo. Maga will be moving heaven and earth to try to rig/steal them. If they succeed ...

[lastpopicon 37,264]

we know donnie. 

Edited August 25, 2025 by lastpopicon

[Morphine Prince 109,655]

To add to the discussion, this isn’t just about Trump. 

Conservatives spent 30 years getting us to this point. 

They will spend another 30 getting us to as close as possible to a right-wing dictatorship. 

[BrandyFinest 843]

How many times do these ghouls need to go mask off? Was elon doing the sieg heil not enough, is attempting to erase the horrors of slavery not enough? You can no longer be sympathetic to MAGA people at this point because they full well know what they are supporting.

[PartySick 172,518]

19 minutes ago, Morphine Prince said:

To add to the discussion, this isn’t just about Trump. 

Conservatives spent 30 years getting us to this point. 

They will spend another 30 getting us to as close as possible to a right-wing dictatorship. 

I'd argue the SCOUTS is the real knife in the neck rn, not Trump

Biden was "overstepping his authority" by reliving student debt but Trump can unilaterally abolish one government program after another and appropriate the funds to do whatever the hell he wants with it