As Donald Trump’s presidency continues to cast a long shadow over American politics, many observers are drawing parallels between his administration and authoritarian regimes worldwide. During his first term, that ambition led him to appoint three conservative justices to the Supreme Court. This drastic move shifted the judicial landscape entirely and removed longstanding federal protections for abortion rights that had been effective since Roe v. Wade. After the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, the individual states were now free to institute their own bans on abortion. This change not only infringes on personal freedoms but threatens women’s health across the country.
Trump’s influence extends far beyond judicial appointments. He has diligently sought to destroy every tenet of old, racist America. This includes culture, education, and media — all in an attempt to quell dissent and centralize control. His administration has aggressively rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, widening the gap to marginalized communities even more. So far, this strategy has found a receptive audience among those deeply frightened by shifting social and racial demographics. White Christian nationalists, especially, have been key to delivering both of his electoral wins.
Under Trump, federal funding for abortion services was zeroed out. As a result, this decision has piled many more unnecessary hurdles on women seeking reproductive health care. Under Trump’s policies, states are free to make this determination. This has led to a confusing patchwork of laws that do serious harm by restricting access to critical health services. This counterrevolutionary development must be understood in the context of a global tendency toward state repression more common in authoritarian states, such as in Egypt.
Mona Eltahawy, a noted commentator on social issues, captures the sentiment of disbelief regarding Trump’s actions: “What’s he done now?” This question rings true to all of those currently observing the slow degradation of democratic norms throughout the United States. So far, experts have compared Trump to a number of autocrats. One exception being, of course, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who Trump has referred to as “my favourite dictator.” Each of these declarations should start a firestorm of alarm over the perils of yielding to authoritarian personalities and movements. They point to a more unsettling link to authoritarian rule.
Outside of civil society, the context created by Trump’s regime has contributed to the chilling effect in which dissent is more and more unwelcome. As a result, he has established a powerful base of support. This has made this broad, diverse pro-democracy coalition the largest voting bloc in the country — white Americans. Their utter failure and relative silence in the face of encroaching authoritarianism may provoke discussions of complicity and accountability. Indigenous communities, Black Americans, and people of color consistently resist Trump’s policies. By contrast, many white Americans do not appear to be as up in arms about what he’s doing. This dynamic underscores a troubling reality: the normalization of intolerance and discrimination.
Trump’s administration is characterized, among other things, by a willful ignorance of exceptionalism. This attitude has led those on the left to staunchly deny the fascistic undercurrents in his administration despite countless examples. This oppressive mentality goes beyond emboldening discriminatory policies, fostering an atmosphere where dissenting voices are systematically marginalized or silenced.
When women support Trump they frequently do so in ways that simply shore up the patriarchal structures he represents. They have been described as “foot soldiers of the white supremacist Christian patriarchy,” actively participating in a regime that seeks to limit rights and freedoms for many. This multifaceted dynamic illustrates the ways in which different communities can all be complicit in upholding systems of oppression.