As the media still reels from Donald Trump‘s false claim that his loss of the popular vote was due to “millions” of illegal voters, a narrative is emerging that paints a more calculated picture of the president-elect’s penchant for blurting out easily-debunked claims.
According to Evan McMullin, who ran as an Independent in the 2016 presidential election, Trump’s latest Twitter rant — whether conscious or unconscious — is an authoritarian tactic which aims to inflate the image of his legitimacy while casting the groundswell of public opposition as illegitimate.
McMullin fleshed out his thoughts in an eye-opening tweetstorm from yesterday.
It should not go unrecognized that @realDonaldTrump‘s effort to inflate his election performance without cause is typical of autocrats. https://t.co/rY4e5jmWxZ
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 27, 2016
They do it increase the perception of their political legitimacy, while undermining popular opposition to them.
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 27, 2016
And, in the process, they do enormous damage to democratic institutions, which is a larger objective they share.
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 27, 2016
Because it is those institutions and supporting norms that present the most significant check on an authoritarian’s power.
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 27, 2016
Because it is those institutions and supporting norms that present the most significant check on an authoritarian’s power.
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 27, 2016
When confidence in those institutions and norms has been sufficiently eroded, the authoritarian has a freer hand with which to wield power.
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 27, 2016
Those wishing not to experience this should speak up every time @realDonaldTrump attempts to walk us down this path. We must not tire of it.
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 27, 2016
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