The Future of Trump's Presidency: Speculations on Dictatorship
Amidst the recent political turmoil in the US, concerns about the potential re-election of Donald Trump have emerged This thought-provoking article explores the implications of his return to power and the potential challenges it may pose for American democracy
Sign up to receive this weekly column as a newsletter for a recap of the most compelling opinion pieces of the week from CNN and other sources. In the 1960s, John Milius, a film student, started working on an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." The project finally came to fruition in 1979 when Francis Ford Coppola transformed the script into the powerful anti-war film "Apocalypse Now," which is now revered as one of the greatest movies of all time.
The movie title had complex origins, with Milius drawing inspiration from a hippie slogan "Nirvana now." The recent focus in US politics has been on a grim vision of the country's potential fate in the near future, more like "Apocalypse in 2025" than "Nirvana now" or "Apocalypse Now."
In a strongly argued article in the opinion section of the Washington Post, Robert Kagan warns in a headline: "A Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable. We should stop pretending." However, the article itself acknowledges that "Nothing in history is inevitable."
The Atlantic has enlisted 24 writers to discuss how former President Donald Trump could cause significant damage to US democracy if he were to return to the White House in 13 months. David Frum of The Atlantic writes, "A second Trump term would immediately thrust the country into a constitutional crisis more dreadful than anything seen since the Civil War."
During a Fox News town hall in Iowa, Trump openly admitted that he would act as a "dictator" on his first day in office, failing to deny the possibility of misusing his power or seeking revenge against his critics. He dismissed claims that his actions would threaten democracy as a "hoax" perpetrated by Democrats to distract from their own abuses of power.
President Biden added to Democrats' concerns by suggesting that he might not have sought reelection if it weren't to prevent Trump from winning. However, he later clarified that he would run regardless. A CNN poll later revealed that Biden's approval rating had dropped to 37%, down 8 percentage points from January, reflecting widespread pessimism about the economy.
Walt Handelsman/Tribune Content Agency
Historian Julian Zelizer expressed serious concerns about the potential dangers of a second term for President Trump, warning of an even more powerful presidency and urging Republicans and Democrats to educate voters about the risks. While it may be early to plan for the worst-case scenarios with over 300 days until the election, it is crucial for both parties to highlight the significance of the upcoming choice for the electorate. With the primaries yet to begin, the need to prepare for the future is clear.
However, anyone who has experienced the closely fought presidential elections since the nearly tied one in 2000 should be cautious of making predictions. It is unknown what the state of the economy will be on November 5, 2024, as well as the unpredictable geopolitical situation, the outcome of Trump's four criminal indictments, the role of third parties, the results of the primaries, and the potential for unforeseen "black swan" events (defined as "high-impact events that are difficult to predict under normal circumstances but appear inevitable in retrospect," according to the Encyclopedia Britannica).
Bill Bramhall/Tribune Content Agency
Four debaters
On December 6, the University of Alabama hosted a debate featuring Republican presidential hopefuls including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy. The event was captured in a photograph by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
The final Republican presidential debate of 2023 had a reduced number of candidates and saw increased criticism directed towards former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who had been gaining traction in the polls. Additionally, debate coach Todd Graham hailed it as "the most remarkable speech ever delivered in a presidential debate."
When asked about Trump's "dictator" comments on "day one," Chris Christie responded with the above statement.
Christie stated, "It's completely predictable. This is a man full of anger and bitterness, who now wants to return as president just to seek retribution on anyone who has opposed him or tried to hold him accountable for his actions. Do I believe he was joking when he referred to himself as a dictator? Just take a look at history..."
Noting that Christie was the only candidate to directly challenge Trump, Errol Louis wrote that the "wild, final Republican presidential debate of 2023, filled with vicious, personal attacks by the candidates, demonstrated once again that the nomination is Donald Trump's to lose because all but one of his challengers are too scared to confront him directly."
Geoff Duncan, a Republican, stated that for Republicans to defeat Trump, they need to consolidate the field and be willing to challenge the frontrunner. The recent debate had half the participants of the previous one in 2015, which is a step in the right direction. Vivek Ramaswamy has been spreading false claims about the 2020 election, and it is hoped that he will not have another opportunity to voice divisive opinions on a national stage.
"Haley looked like the lone adult on the stage. She kept her cool while the male candidates barked and pointed fingers at one another," Nelson wrote.
Get our free weekly newsletter
Sign up for the CNN Opinions newsletter and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
According to Patrick T. Brown, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may have had his strongest debate performance of the campaign. When asked which president he would most like to emulate, DeSantis chose to avoid the expected mention of Ronald Reagan and instead cited Calvin Coolidge, a favored figure among limited-government conservatives. DeSantis praised Coolidge for understanding the appropriate role of the federal government, stating that "Silent Cal knew the proper role of the federal government."
"The Coolidge-inspired approach to federal policy, which prioritizes saying little and focusing on cutting spending, is a better fit for the Republican Party of the Tea Party era than for the brash, muscular vision embraced by Trump. However, that may be so."
David Axelrod: Theres a lot of good news for Nikki Haley. But heres the bad news
Clay Jones
Genocide is not ok
Testifying before a House committee on December 5 were Claudine Gay, president of Harvard University, Liz Magill, president of the University of Pennsylvania, Pamela Nadell, professor of history and Jewish studies at American University, and Sally Kornbluth, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania struggled to give a clear response when asked if advocating the genocide of Jews would violate university rules. Two of the presidents later issued statements in an attempt to address the controversy. Unfortunately, UPenn President Liz Magill resigned on Saturday in the aftermath.
Fareed Zakaria observed that the presidents' responses to a direct question were unclear and indecisive. He pointed out that in order to understand their performance, it is essential to recognize the transformation of universities from centers of excellence to institutions focused on promoting political agendas.
According to Zakaria, American universities have shifted their priorities from pursuing excellence to prioritizing various agendas, many of which revolve around diversity and inclusion. This shift began with positive intentions, aiming to ensure that young people from all backgrounds had access to higher education and felt welcomed on campus. However, these good intentions have evolved into a rigid ideology, causing universities to prioritize political and social engineering over academic excellence.
Jewish groups question why safe spaces, microaggressions, and hate speech don't apply to them in the university context. They feel overlooked despite the support given to other student groups. University administrators struggle to explain the exclusion of certain groups, such as Jews and Asians, from these conversations. David M. Perry, a historian at the University of Minnesota, emphasized the need for clear leadership in denouncing genocide, but also pointed out the importance of fostering difficult discussions in classroom settings.
Norman Lear, 101
Definitely not on social media. Definitely not in slogans displayed on posters. And definitely not in Congressional hearings. However, it is the latter form of speech that tends to dominate the discourse because it is public, simplistic, and enables individuals to score political points. Furthermore, it distorts the conversation, leading people to mistakenly believe that it represents the entire discussion.
Bill Bramhall/Tribune Content Agency
Some of Norman Lear's iconic TV shows include "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons," "Maude," "Good Times," "Sanford and Son," and "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman." Lear, who passed away at the age of 101, was known for his impactful contributions to television as a producer and socio-cultural provocateur. "All in the Family" premiered in 1971 on CBS, marking the beginning of Lear's successful career as a hit-making TV producer throughout the 1970s.
Lear, also the founder of the liberal organization "People for the American Way," continued his involvement in the entertainment industry until his passing. Bill Carter interviewed Lear at the age of 98, and they connected over the similar roles that Lear and Carter's father had as radio operators on US bombers during World War II.
Carter wrote, "The success of Lear's best comedies was due to a combination of factors, including timing, casting, and his understanding that America was ready for TV comedy that didn't rely on stereotypical family situations."
"Lear's understanding of the human condition was essential. Take Archie Bunker, the main character in "All in the Family."
Norman always claimed that Archie had elements of his own father: the exaggerated gruffness, the grievance psyche, the casual delivery of racial and ethnic slurs. He argued that almost everyone had an Archie in their lives and they couldn't just dismiss them as narrow-minded bigots. Their families still loved them, just as America came to love Archie, much to the distress of social scientists of that era..."
"Norman Lears great accomplishment was putting all our ugly biases on display and making us laugh at them. Hard."
"And showing us how embarrassing and silly they are."
Carroll O'Connor stars as Archie Bunker and Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson in "All In The Family."
CBS/Getty Images
Border in crisis
Standing on a bluff at the US southern border, Alberto Gonzales reflected on the 200,000-square-mile Chihuahuan Desert and questioned why the blood of children stained its sand. The former US attorney general expressed bewilderment at the plight of immigrants and criticized the immigration system for punishing both the desperate and the patient, and for failing to provide sufficient lawful workers to the US or effective border security.
He contended that the government needs to take action in response to the border crisis. "Our communities are being inundated with migrants and their needs, particularly as states near the border continue to transport new arrivals further north…"
"The President needs to take charge, and Congress must pass legislation and allocate funding. Every day that we delay, more people perish in the desert, crops go unharvested due to lack of workers, supply chains are disrupted, and the entrepreneurial drive of this country, ironically fueled by immigrants, is dimmed."
War and holidays
Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, holiday festivities are subdued and in some cases somber. The usual merrymaking in Bethlehem, "recognized as the birthplace of Jesus, the prince of peace," will be largely missing. It serves as "a poignant reminder of the pressing need for a lasting peace. This Christmas offers a unique opportunity to bring attention to the challenges faced by Palestinian Christians, Palestinian Muslims, and Israeli Jews alike, in the hope that renewed focus and dialogue will pave the way for a path to reconciliation," stated Rateb Y. Rabie, the founder and president of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation.
As Jews around the world mark the beginning of Hanukkah at sundown Thursday, the holiday takes on added significance during a time of anxiety about the ongoing war and increasing acts of antisemitism. Amy D. Klein suggested that this year Hanukkah may be moving away from materialism and "returning to its original meaning: that we Jews are a small minority in the world, struggling for our survival and praying for a miracle." An effort known as "Project Menorah" is urging non-Jews to light Hanukkah candles in solidarity.
"Despite my concerns, I will proudly wear my Star of David, participate in public holiday events, and display our lit menorah in a visible location," Klein stated. "This Hanukkah, I hope that I can be a beacon of light in the worlda world free from fear, antisemitism, and warand I welcome all those who will be a light alongside me."
The conflict in Gaza continues unabated, with clashes spreading throughout the region, including at sea. Frida Ghitis pointed out that over the weekend, US military forces once again faced aggressive and potentially deadly actions by Iran-allied militias in the Middle East, underscoring the failure of American efforts to deter their persistent belligerence. The message to Iran is not getting through.
It is imperative for the US and NATO to vigorously defend freedom of navigation. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, must be addressed before a maritime tragedy sends disruptive shockwaves through the global economy. The Biden administration's decision to remove the Houthis' terrorist designation should be reconsidered, especially after the group's attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
For more:
Ilene Prusher: I reported on Hamas for over a decade. The questions Im asking myself now
Jill Filipovic: Celebrities speaking out on the war in Gaza should consider this
Young Thug on trial
Prosecutor Fani Willis from Georgia has initiated a RICO case, which, as Elliot Williams pointed out, "tests the boundaries of free speech granted to a very prominent and controversial defendant." Notably, the defendant in question is not former President Donald Trump, although his case also involves complex First Amendment matters brought by Willis's office. Instead, the accused is Jeffery Lamar Williams, widely recognized by his stage name Young Thug. He is facing allegations of co-founding a dangerous street gang and being responsible for heinous crimes dating back ten years.
The judge has approved the use of 17 Young Thug rap lyrics as evidence in the case, which is seen as a positive development for the prosecutors. However, according to Elliot Williams, bringing creative work into the courtroom as evidence against the artist raises concerns about inhibiting free expression and artistic innovation that are fundamental to America's uniqueness.
Furthermore, the inclusion of these lyrics highlights a long-standing issue at the crossroads of race, law, and popular culture: the aggressive approach taken by prosecutors in using rap lyrics as evidence.
COP28s problem
John D. Sutter pointed out that the world's largest climate conference is being held in the United Arab Emirates, which he described as "a petrostate." The president of the COP is Sultan Al Jaber, who not only leads a renewable energy company but also the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Appointing an oil executive to oversee worldwide climate negotiations is akin to allowing the NRA to lead a discussion on gun control. To add to the concern, Al Jaber has made alarming statements, such as suggesting that moving away from fossil fuels, a crucial focus of the talks, could regress us to living in caves. He has also falsely asserted that there is no scientific basis for completely phasing out fossil fuels to achieve the temperature goals at the heart of the negotiations.
Sutter argued that world leaders at COP28 "can and should deliver on that promise" of a phase-out.
"And the public must hold them to account."
Dont miss
Drew Sheneman/Tribune Content Agency
Jalal Baig: Why Aaron Rodgers shouldnt rush his return to football
Mary Ziegler: This Texas woman is exposing a chilling truth about abortion law
Kirsi Goldynias Q&A with Robert Klitzman: The life-and-death history lesson that doctors arent learning
Noah Berlatsky: A legendary director creates his own Alice in Wonderland
Dean Obeidallah: The real reason Trump is attacking Obamacare
ANDâ¦
Taylor Swift, the right choice?
Dana Summers/Tribune Content Agency
Taylor Swift was chosen as TIME's Person of the Year for numerous reasons, and Holly Thomas comprehends that. The singer's exceptional year has resulted in her reigning over pop culture and music while also becoming a billionaire. This has raised some questions about whether she is the right choice for the title. Traditionally, the title has been given to "the person who has had the most influence, for good or ill, over the previous 12 months." Past winners have included Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Greta Thunberg, Martin Luther King Jr., and Elon Musk.
TIME named Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, as the CEO of the year in light of his company's introduction of the revolutionary ChatGPT. Thomas argued that Altman, not Swift, should have been chosen as TIME's Person of the Year. She believes that Altman's impact on the world could be exponentially more consequential, but not nearly enough people are aware of him or the implications of his technology.
