As I have mentioned many times before, the Trump presidency - well, both of them, actually - have been nothing if not unorthodox. His style is and always has been unorthodox. His emphasis on getting rid of norms, including traditions upholding our democratic process. Other presidents may have been accused of abusing their power, but none have been so relentless and determined about it as he is. And of course, there are the less serious, but also very weird, moments. Like when he used a sharpie to artificially alter the course of a storm, or more recently, when he said that he was not doing so well and hoped to get to heaven. That last one has fueled all sorts of speculation that, in fact, his health is quickly deteriorating, with some people predicting that he will not make it past six or eight months.
That is not my field of expertise. No claims on how long his health can hold out.
However, one recurring theme with Trump has been his authoritarianism, and his seeming aspirations to become a dictator. Sure, he has not outright suggested that he will become, or wants to become, a dictator. But my suspicion is that he knows that outright saying that would simply lose him too much support. In fact, I believe that he really would not mind being a dictator at all.
Why would I say such a thing? Some people would legitimately ask that question, not feeling that his actions, or his claims that he would be a dictator on "Day One" of his second term in office (but claiming that it would only be on "Day One") was a warning. So are the constant lies, the power grabs, and his disdain for and distrust of elections. There was also the attempted coup on January 6th, and his subsequent pardoning of those responsible.
Oh, and let's not forget that Truth Social post back in 2022. You remember the one, about suspending parts of the Constitution (which he has now sworn to uphold twice)?
Yeah. Those things, and so much more, which seem to scream a warning to us collectively that he is, indeed, a wanna be dictator.
Well, as if we needed more of a reminder - actually, some of us really seem to need more reminders, constant reminders, even, because far too many Americans just don't get it and apparently really cannot see through this guy and his cronies - Trump gave us yet another reminder very recently.
Here is what Trump said in his own words (see the two links below for the fuller stories and quotes):
“They say, ‘We don't need him, freedom freedom. He's a dictator. He's a dictator.’ A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we like a dictator’…You send in troops, and instead of being praised they're saying you're trying to take over the republic. These people are sick.”
To be sure, Trump didn’t describe himself as a dictator. He instead added, “I’m a man with great common sense, and I’m a smart person. And when I see what’s happened to our cities, and then you send in troops. Instead of being praised, they’re saying, ‘You’re trying to take over the republic.’ These people are sick.”
I added a video of the bizarre episode - just the latest in a huge library of bizarre episodes involving King Con Don, both as president and when he is out of office - just in case anyone wants to argue that tired old "fake news" nonsense in response. Yes, he actually said this. And yes, I think it means a whole lot more, and has sinister overtones, than most people seem to think it does.
Once again, Trump seems to be putting the idea out there, and claiming that "a lot of people are saying" that they actually like the idea of a dictator. To me, if we know anything about King Con Don by now, it is that when he puts ideas about obtaining greater power out there, he may claim to be joking or not to be all that serious, but in fact, he is. Remember him saying that the United States should explore the possibility of having a "president for life?" Remember him "joking" that he might run for a third term, and then later claiming, seemingly quite seriously, that his supporters might demand that he serve a third term?
Not a joke. He was serious.
And when we see him musing about possibly becoming a dictator now, we had best do what otherwise we should not do, like when he clearly lies or makes false campaign promises that he obviously has no intention of keeping (making Mexico pay for the wall that was never built, building an affordable healthcare program that would cover everyone, paying off the national debt in eight years, locking up "Crooked Hillary," lowering the price of gas and groceries, ending the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, and of course, releasing the Epstein Files). Most of what he says we need to scrutinize and question how truthful he is being. However, when he talks about grabbing more power or becoming a dictator, we had best take him at his word, and beware. This man is every bit as much of a tyrant as King George III was. At least as much, if not more. The fact that Americans voted him into their highest office does not make this any less true.
We need to proceed very cautiously. The stakes could not be higher, because we are talking about what remains of our crumbling American democracy.
Trump on militarized cities: ‘A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator’ by Steve Benen, Aug. 25, 2025:
Trump on militarized cities: ‘A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator’ As the president suggests that “a lot” of people have voiced support for “a dictator,” it’s hard not to wonder who, exactly, he was referring to. Aug. 25, 2025, 1:11 PM EDT By Steve Benen
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-militarized-cities-lot-people-are-saying-maybe-d-dictator-rcna227039
Trump says many people might want a dictator. Yes, many of his people. Analysis by Aaron Blake
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/25/politics/dictator-trump-supporters-analysis
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