Supporters gain confidence in their beliefs, opponents feel isolated, and the broader population finds it increasingly tough to imagine a different perspective. By locking down communication channels, an authoritarian strengthens his own image while paving the way for the next moves: eroding checks and balances, pushing aside political rivals, and establishing a regime that blends everyday governance with unrelenting propaganda.
It’s also why independent journalism and open debate are so essential to democracy. Where a free press exists, citizens can see problems laid bare, policies debated, and leaders held accountable. Without it, even the most deeply rooted democratic institutions can start to wither. Trump’s expanded tactics in controlling communication—managing press access, co-opting news outlets, appointing sympathetic media personalities to government roles, and relying on legal intimidation—show just how rapidly the groundwork for a free and open society can be eroded.
Ultimately, controlling communication is the linchpin of any authoritarian project. If you control the media, you control the public’s understanding of events. Once you shape that understanding, you gain influence over what people believe. And when you sway belief, overt coercion becomes less necessary—because the populace may well follow you willingly, convinced that your narrative is the only truth worth hearing.