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1. Trump is obviously a racist. But what is missing from the discourse around his bigoted tactics is how this fits into his authoritarian impulses, his behaviour as a wannabe despot, and the threat he poses to American democracy.
2. I study authoritarianism. Trump clearly exhibits a huge number of authoritarian red flags: attacking those who would hold him accountable (press, judges, oversight chairs); violating ethics rules; hiring cronies and family members; lying to distort reality; and corruption.
3. But a core aspect of all creeping authoritarianism is “divide and rule,” which requires scapegoating minority groups & creating an us vs. them mentality that fosters heightened polarization & political tribalism. Trump is doing that: Muslims, migrants, Mexicans, black people.
4. For those who buy into that us vs. them narrative (much of his base), the menu of despicable actions that they will support grows—so long as they are carried out against “them.” That mentality helps to normalize hateful rhetoric and state abuses, while reducing accountability.
5. Trump’s dehumanizing language like using the word “infest” or saying immigrants “breed” crime is part of a classic divide and rule tactic. It’s part of the reason why a horrifying number of Americans have no moral objection to Trump’s child separation policy, for example.
6. The point, though, is that by priming his base to view racial minorities as “them,” it’s not just about riling up racists who support him. It’s also about creating a political climate that reduces accountability because people are willing to accept abuses against “them.”
7. Trump also is trying to delegitimize the core principle of democracy (one person, one vote) by suggesting that minorities are secretly stealing elections with illegal voting (they are not). But it’s dangerous to spread that lie because millions of his supporters now believe it
8. In short, Trump’s racism isn’t just about being racist. It also fits into a broader pattern of how authoritarians and wannabe authoritarians behave, dividing societies to reduce democratic accountability. Trump raises countless red flags on that front; this is no outlier.
9. Still, it might not work. Trump is often more bumbling and impulsive than cunning and strategic. But he’s playing with fire, and it’s essential that Americans overwhelmingly reject his racist, authoritarian-style politics next year to protect American democracy.
