In this world, a dictator is something that you don’t hear often, especially when it comes to a country as modern and world-renowned as America. For this specific reason, I want to ask whether Trump is building a dictatorship. But first, you have to look into the real question: what is a dictatorship? Well, it’s defined as a single ruler holding absolute power. Now, this consists of a lack of democratic process, freedom of speech, and the suppression of opposition. There are three types of dictatorships: the first is a military dictatorship. This is when the military controls the government, typically by overthrowing an elected government through a military coup. They will then use the force of the military to stay in government, an example of this would be Augusto Pinochet in 1973 in Chile. The second type of dictatorship is an autocratic dictatorship. This is when a single individual holds absolute power. It will maintain power through fear, propaganda, and suppression of dissent. An example of this would be Adolf Hitler in Germany throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The third type of dictatorship is a theocratic. This is a religious leader or group that governs according to religious laws, often with political and religious beliefs intertwined. Speaking out against a government would be seen as opposing religion, and an example would be Iran, which has one supreme leader who holds significant power based on Islamic beliefs and laws.

The next issue to address is what type of dictator Trump might be. It seems clear that he would not be a military or theocratic dictator—he is neither a religious leader nor the head of the military. Therefore, if Trump were to establish a dictatorship, it would likely be an autocratic one. However, it’s important to support this claim with evidence. To better understand the potential of Trump’s leadership, it helps to compare him to past dictators. One obvious example of an autocratic dictator is Adolf Hitler.

To be clear, comparing Trump to Hitler is not equating the two or suggesting Trump has committed atrocities on the scale of Hitler. The comparison is made purely to analyse leadership style and tactics. Hitler rose to power in the early 1930s after several failed attempts. A pivotal event was the Reichstag fire, when Germany’s parliament building was set ablaze by communists. This incident ultimately benefited Hitler’s party. At the time, Germany was in a deep recession, and Hitler skillfully directed the frustrations of the working population toward scapegoats—namely, Jews and communists. 

A similar pattern can be seen in Trump’s rhetoric. He often tells working-class Americans that their economic struggles are the fault of illegal immigrants. While this claim is not factually accurate, it demonstrates a political strategy shared by both leaders: when people are struggling, they look for someone to blame, and once they hold onto that belief, it is difficult to change their minds. This strategy helps explain why Trump was elected to a second term and why Hitler remained in power for so long.

As I’ve said previously, a dictator is someone who holds absolute power. Now, I want to address how Trump effectively holds absolute power—primarily through his appointments to key positions in the US government. The people he has chosen to lead major departments typically have very little relevant experience, and under normal circumstances, they would not be considered for such roles, except for Trump’s influence. For example, Kash Patel, who heads the CIA, and Pete Hegseth, who leads the Department of Defense—both previously associated with Fox News and podcasts—are clear illustrations of this pattern. These individuals are not qualified for such critical roles.

So why would Trump appoint them? The answer lies in the concept of “yes men”—people who will do whatever the leader wants, whenever and however he wants it. Because they owe their positions entirely to Trump, their loyalty is to him alone. This enables Trump to act with unchecked authority, much like how dictators such as Hitler could do whatever they wanted without opposition.

A key characteristic of a dictator is leading an undemocratic society, which often means not holding free and fair elections. When discussing Trump and the idea of dictatorship, it's important to examine what he has said about elections. For example, in 2018, at a private fundraiser, Trump referenced Chinese leader Xi Jinping, saying, “He’s now president for life—president for life. No, he’s great. And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.” Then, in 2020, at a campaign rally, Trump remarked, “We are going to win four more years, and then after that we’ll go for another four years because they spied on my campaign. We should get a redo of four years.” These quotes suggest Trump’s desire to run for a third term, which is strictly prohibited by the Constitution. If he were somehow able to accomplish this, it could mark a fundamental change in America—potentially signaling the end of the democratic superpower known for championing freedom and global order. Instead, the country could become unpredictable, wielding vast resources and posing a threat that could destabilize the world.