The Secret Of His Success: Donald Trumps Six Weird Tricks For Authoritarian Rule

As the 2020 presidential campaign revs up, the normal ways of dealing with it seem hopeless inadequate. Fact-checking seems antiquated in the face of a president who’s closing in on 20,000 false or misleading statements and a press corps that remains hopelessly befuddled in how to respond. But there is another way the press — or failing that, citizens themselves — can cut through the blizzard of disinformation.

That’s explained in a forthcoming book by Texas A&M communications professor Jennifer Mercieca, “Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump.” A historian of American political rhetoric, Mercieca traces Trump’s strategies in the 2016 campaign, finding that they conform to consistent rhetorical patterns.

An ad populum appeal could take different forms, but the basic idea is that the people are right and anyone who opposes the people is wrong. Trump uses it to praise a segment of the people: Only Trump supporters are wise and good hard-working Americans; all others are enemies. Trump claims that his supporters are the best, the smartest, the most patriotic — and then claims that their support makes him right in any controversy. It’s a circular argument: Trump is right because he’s popular with the good people and Trump is popular with the good people because Trump is right.

He wants people to ask: “Do I think the economy is good?” “Should I wear a mask in public?” “Should we go to war with China?” — “I don’t know, what does Trump say?” and then either agree or disagree based on Trump. He wants to be the referent for everything in politics because that ultimately gives him control. When there is no reality except for what Trump creates, he’s America’s authoritarian P.T. Barnum. He has succeeded in controlling our public sphere for five years, making himself the referent on all of our political discussions.

The secret of his success: Donald Trump’s six weird tricks for authoritarian rule – Raw Story

Very captivating interview with the author. Look forward to reading this book.

The article is a little long, but interesting for it's theories even if you're the kind of person who has trouble seeing how they apply to Trump.

The wholes book looks to be only 320 pages.
Almost shorter than the linked article.

So, how does any of this associate with Trump, or eve show that he has some form of authoritarian rule?

Trump wins the support of those who fear the future because they think historical trends are moving against them. White blue collar workers fear being replaced by computers, industrial robots, and non whites, both at home and abroad. Christian conservatives fear a society that is becoming increasingly secular and hedonistic. Small businessmen fear the growing power of corporations they cannot compete with, and the growing popularity of socialism, These people support Trump despite Trump's shortcomings most of them acknowledge because they think Trump is their last hope in the world.

Since 1980 I have viewed the religious right with interest and a degree of sympathy. The religious right has tried to restore the moral ethos of the 1950's. Back then most Americans attended a church or synagogue every week. Most people got married before having children. Most people stayed married. I was a child back then. It was a nice time to be a child. Nevertheless, in a country like the United States there is little the government can do to influence sexual and religious behavior. Therefore they are not really political issues. The religious right has given the Republican Party the power to make the rich richer. It has not reversed trends in private behavior because it could not.

Also, the religious right has been bad at choosing political leaders. In 1980 Christian conservatives abandoned the most religious president the United States has probably ever had for a product of Hollywood, who seldom attended church. In 2016 Christian conservatives reached even lower into the barrel and choose a lying, foul mouthed, womanizing pagan.

SmartCat said:

Trump wins the support of those who fear the future because they think historical trends are moving against them. White blue collar workers fear being replaced by computers, industrial robots, and non whites, both at home and abroad. Christian conservatives fear a society that is becoming increasingly secular and hedonistic. Small businessmen fear the growing power of corporations they cannot compete with, and the growing popularity of socialism, These people support Trump despite Trump's shortcomings most of them acknowledge because they think Trump is their last hope in the world.

Since 1980 I have viewed the religious right with interest and a degree of sympathy. The religious right has tried to restore the moral ethos of the 1950's. Back then most Americans attended a church or synagogue every week. Most people got married before having children. Most people stayed married. I was a child back then. It was a nice time to be a child. Nevertheless, in a country like the United States there is little the government can do to influence sexual and religious behavior. Therefore they are not really political issues. The religious right has given the Republican Party the power to make the rich richer. It has not reversed trends in private behavior because it could not.

Also, the religious right has been bad at choosing political leaders. In 1980 Christian conservatives abandoned the most religious president the United States has probably ever had for a product of Hollywood, who seldom attended church. In 2016 Christian conservatives reached even lower into the barrel and choose a lying, foul mouthed, womanizing pagan.

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Well, that was one massive failed attempt to morally judge a rather large group of people.

Oborosen said:

Well, that was one massive failed attempt to morally judge a rather large group of people.

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OK, so what is your evaluation?

I'm no fan of Trump, but I have yet to see him actually do anything especially "authoritarian" in nature.

Oborosen said:

Well, that was one massive failed attempt to morally judge a rather large group of people.

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Too many red herrings, mischaracterizations and lies.

Saying that it's only "white" blue collar workers that fear this kind of thing, though the "non-white" claim is much less just a stab at a source of racism that is almost non-existent. Because there are more than just White blue collar workers in the US and they have all been losing their jobs to the aforementioned indicators. One of which being jobs taken by those brought in through illegal immigration. While only the most strict conservative groups are actually speaking up about secularism, or hedonism and even then. Those groups possibly only measure in the fractions of a full demographic.

Small businesses have always been valid in their fears of big businesses. So that is not a negative point, despite how you're attempting to frame it. Much like they and anyone else should fear socialism. Especially if it's implemented and enforced in a place like the US. Forcing someone to give their hard earnings to someone else in such a degree, does not work and we've seen it fail more times than succeed.

Also, trying to claim that something wrong was done simply because they picked him in 2016, is not a moral issue. The man's character has always been that, of a foul-mouthed jackass and everyone already knew that. But what did they have as a secondary option? Possibly the worst and most unlikable candidate that anyone has seen in the entire history of the presidential office.
Even compared to Trump, she was just that much worse.

Tlrmln said:

I'm no fan of Trump, but I have yet to see him actually do anything especially "authoritarian" in nature.

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I've asked for proof of that several times now.

But no one appears to be capable of stepping up to the bat on that.

You still see people marching who call him an authoritarian fascist. So it's mostly just a baseless slogan as it is.

SmartCat said:

OK, so what is your evaluation?

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Too many red herrings, mischaracterizations and lies.

Saying that it's only "white" blue collar workers that fear this kind of thing, though the "non-white" claim is much less just a stab at a source of racism that is almost non-existent. Because there are more than just White blue collar workers in the US and they have all been losing their jobs to the aforementioned indicators. One of which being jobs taken by those brought in through illegal immigration. While only the most strict conservative groups are actually speaking up about secularism, or hedonism and even then. Those groups possibly only measure in the fractions of a full demographic.

Small businesses have always been valid in their fears of big businesses. So that is not a negative point, despite how you're attempting to frame it. Much like they and anyone else should fear socialism. Especially if it's implemented and enforced in a place like the US. Forcing someone to give their hard earnings to someone else in such a degree, does not work and we've seen it fail more times than succeed.

Also, trying to claim that something wrong was done simply because they picked him in 2016, is not a moral issue. The man's character has always been that, of a foul-mouthed jackass and everyone already knew that. But what did they have as a secondary option? Possibly the worst and most unlikable candidate that anyone has seen in the entire history of the presidential office.
Even compared to Trump, she was just that much worse.

Oborosen said:

Also, trying to claim that something wrong was done simply because they picked him in 2016, is not a moral issue. The man's character has always been that, of a foul-mouthed jackass and everyone already knew that. But what did they have as a secondary option? Possibly the worst and most unlikable candidate that anyone has seen in the entire history of the presidential office.
Even compared to Trump, she was just that much worse.

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I have always liked the Clinton's. Clinton hate needs to be understood psychologically, because there is no rational reason for it. The Clinton's are not evil. Their politics are not extreme.

I suspect that during the 1990's there still were a lot of white men in the United States who were angry that the United States lost the War in Vietnam, and that many who protested against the War were prospering in life. Bill Clinton was a weather vane for that kind of hate.

Because Hillary Clinton was active in the anti war movement she attracted some of that hate. In addition she is a woman who is obviously brilliant and accomplished. White men who have nothing to be proud of but their race and sex resented her for that reason. They like Sarah Palin because she if goofy and silly. That is they way they think a woman should be. Hillary made them feel inadequate.

SmartCat said:

I have always liked the Clinton's. Clinton hate needs to be understood psychologically, because there is no rational reason for it. The Clinton's are not evil. Their politics are not extreme.

I suspect that during the 1990's there still were a lot of white men in the United States who were angry that the United States lost the War in Vietnam, and that many who protested against the War were prospering in life. Bill Clinton was a weather vane for that kind of hate.

Because Hillary Clinton was active in the anti war movement she attracted some of that hate. In addition she is a woman who is obviously brilliant and accomplished. White men who have nothing to be proud of but their race and sex resented her for that reason. They like Sarah Palin because she if goofy and silly. That is they way they think a woman should be. Hillary made them feel inadequate.

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I'm not white, nor do I care about many of their activities in the mid 90s. So there goes both of your examples right out the window.

Might I suggest you take a look at their recent actions over the last 15 years, to be more current on why some people might not like them?

Oborosen said:

I'm not white, nor do I care about many of their activities in the mid 90s. So there goes both of your examples right out the window.

Might I suggest you take a look at their recent actions over the last 15 years, to be more current on why some people might not like them?

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Recent actions, like what?

SmartCat said:

Recent actions, like what?

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The Clinton's control on the dnc during the 2016 election for one. They had unrivaled amounts of power and we only got to see a slim aspect of what they were possibly doing with it. Then you had not only their lies during the time leading up to the election, but you had Hillary actively berating those who either supported Trump, or remained on the fence about her. Something that her supporters did not help with in the least.

Hell, even going all the way back to the 90s the top thing that comes to mind was the scandal with them alleged taking bribes from Chines banks.

I personally hated it when Bernie was stabbed in the back.

SmartCat said:

Trump wins the support of those who fear the future because they think historical trends are moving against them. White blue collar workers fear being replaced by computers, industrial robots, and non whites, both at home and abroad. Christian conservatives fear a society that is becoming increasingly secular and hedonistic. Small businessmen fear the growing power of corporations they cannot compete with, and the growing popularity of socialism, These people support Trump despite Trump's shortcomings most of them acknowledge because they think Trump is their last hope in the world.

Since 1980 I have viewed the religious right with interest and a degree of sympathy. The religious right has tried to restore the moral ethos of the 1950's. Back then most Americans attended a church or synagogue every week. Most people got married before having children. Most people stayed married. I was a child back then. It was a nice time to be a child. Nevertheless, in a country like the United States there is little the government can do to influence sexual and religious behavior. Therefore they are not really political issues. The religious right has given the Republican Party the power to make the rich richer. It has not reversed trends in private behavior because it could not.

Also, the religious right has been bad at choosing political leaders. In 1980 Christian conservatives abandoned the most religious president the United States has probably ever had for a product of Hollywood, who seldom attended church. In 2016 Christian conservatives reached even lower into the barrel and choose a lying, foul mouthed, womanizing pagan.

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Liberals are ignorant and ruthlessly hate Christianity. I wouldn't take the word of a liberal on that subject for nothing in the world.

American said:

Liberals are ignorant and ruthlessly hate Christianity. I wouldn't take the word of a liberal on that subject for nothing in the world.

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Even the liberals who are Christians?

American said:

Liberals are ignorant and ruthlessly hate Christianity. I wouldn't take the word of a liberal on that subject for nothing in the world.

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Among whites, the more education one had the more likely one is to vote Democrat. I am a Democrat. I am liberal on economic and environmental issues. I am a Christian.

SmartCat said:

Among whites, the more education one had the more likely one is to vote Democrat. I am a Democrat. I am liberal on economic and environmental issues. I am a Christian.

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Nope, not allowed.
Even if you don't realise it yourself you secretly hate Christianity even more than the English have historically hated the French.

Peter said:

Nope, not allowed.
Even if you don't realise it yourself you secretly hate Christianity even more than the English have historically hated the French.

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The Founder of my Religion was a liberal. These are some of the things he said:

The Gospel According to St. Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The Gospel According to St. Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The Gospel According to St. Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

This is what St. James has to say about rich people in his Epistle of St James 5:1, 4, 5, 6 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you...
4, 5, 6 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

Peter said:

Nope, not allowed.
Even if you don't realise it yourself you secretly hate Christianity even more than the English have historically hated the French.

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SmartCat said:

The Founder of my Religion was a liberal. These are some of the things he said....

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Where is the passage about drag queen story hour?

Oborosen said:

Well, that was one massive failed attempt to morally judge a rather large group of people.

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Why shouldn't they morally judge a group of hypocrites who support as a liar, sexual abuser, and a hypocrite on every level? You are judged by the company that you keep.

People who actually obey the teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the Bible should be appalled by Donald Trump and the GOP.

American said:

Liberals are ignorant and ruthlessly hate Christianity. I wouldn't take the word of a liberal on that subject for nothing in the world.

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I am a progressive, so how do I hate Jesus?

American said:

Liberals are ignorant and ruthlessly hate Christianity. I wouldn't take the word of a liberal on that subject for nothing in the world.

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Nah that doesn't sound like a purely bigoted statement against tens of millions of your fellow citizens. A large % of whom that look, talk and walk just like you.
Do you catch yourself looking over your shoulder often?

Oborosen said:

So, how does any of this associate with Trump, or eve show that he has some form of authoritarian rule?

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