Leadership Becomes Singular
2023 — Donald J. Trump — CPAC speech
“I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution.”⁸
Authoritarian Rule Is No Longer Hypothetical
2022 — Donald J. Trump — Truth Social post
“A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”⁹
Admiration for Strongman Leadership Appears Openly
2018 — Donald J. Trump — Donor meeting
“He’s now president for life… I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.”¹⁰
2018 — Donald J. Trump — Rally referencing North Korea
“He speaks and his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same.”¹¹
Power Becomes Personal
2023 — Donald J. Trump — Fox News town hall
Hannity: “You would never abuse power?”
Trump: “Except for day one.”¹²
Institutions Become Enemies
2017 — Donald J. Trump — Social media post
“The FAKE NEWS media… is the enemy of the American People!”¹³
Control of Language Reaches Control of Process
2026 — Donald J. Trump — Dan Bongino Show
“The Republicans should say, we want to take over. We should take over the voting, the voting in at least many — 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.”²⁵
Federal Enforcement Enters Electoral Language
2026 — Steve Bannon — War Room Podcast
“We’re going to have ICE surround the polls come November… We’re not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again.”²⁶