The Cult of Trump: Authoritarianism in Modern American Politics
Trump & Co
Across history, authoritarian leaders have shared a familiar playbook: demand unwavering loyalty, suppress dissent, rewrite facts, and construct a carefully curated public image of strength and infallibility. Observing the political movement surrounding Donald Trump, it’s increasingly hard to ignore the parallels with the dynamics of dictatorship—and even those of a cult.
Authoritarian regimes, from Stalin’s Soviet Union to Kim Jong-un’s North Korea, rely on visible and performative loyalty. Leaders surround themselves with advisers too afraid to speak honestly, lest they lose their position—or more. Trump’s presidency has shown a remarkably similar pattern. Dissent within his inner circle has routinely led to public denunciation, career destruction, or social ostracism. High-ranking officials who dared to criticise or contradict him, found themselves dismissed and vilified.
Just as dictators depend on mouthpieces to amplify the party line (Karoline Leavitt springs to mind), Trump has cultivated an ecosystem of loyal surrogates and media allies who relentlessly echo his talking points. This machine doesn’t tolerate deviation. Any Republican politician expressing even moderate criticism of Trump quickly risks being labelled a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) and targeted for primary challenges, social media abuse, or outright political excommunication.
Perhaps most striking is the emotional fervour Trump elicits from his most devoted followers. His rallies, branding, and messaging have often taken on the tone and symbolism of a movement greater than politics—a personality cult. In this space, facts matter less than belief. Even after multiple criminal indictments, public lies, and efforts to overturn the democratic process, large segments of his base remain unwavering, convinced that Trump alone speaks truth in a world of enemies and conspiracies.
Authoritarianism often hinges on undermining institutional checks and balances. Trump’s open attacks on the judiciary, the press, the intelligence services, and even the democratic process itself (especially following the 2020 election) echo the behaviour of leaders who seek to erode public trust in anything not under their direct control. His refusal to accept election results marked an unprecedented challenge to American democratic norms.
While Trump does not (and cannot) wield the full control of a dictator in the constitutional framework of the United States, the movement he leads exhibits many of the hallmarks of authoritarianism: a singular strongman leader, fear-based loyalty, truth distortion, cult-like devotion, and the undermining of democratic processes.
The warning signs are not historical abstractions; they are unfolding now. Democracies do not collapse overnight, but they can erode steadily under the weight of charismatic authoritarian populism. It is essential to recognise these patterns—not just for political debate, but for the defence of democratic principles themselves.