‘Electoral autocracy’ Trump and the Orbán playbook

The president has moved to gut the federal government, fire critics and reward allies – treading a path similar to ‘would-be dictators’, such as the Hungarian leader

David Smith

APITILESS CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. A hardline approach to law and order. A purge of “gender ideology” and “wokeness” from the nation’s schools. Erosions of academic freedom, judicial independence and the free press. An alliance with Christian nationalism. An assault on democratic institutions. The “electoral autocracy” that is Viktor Orbán’s Hungary has long been revered by Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” (Maga) movement. In the early weeks of Trump’s second term as US president, analysts say, there are alarming signs that the Orbánisation of America has begun. With the tech billionaire Elon Musk at his side, Trump has moved with astonishing velocity to fire critics, punish media, reward allies, gut the federal government, exploit presidential immunity and test the limits of his authority. Many of their actions…

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Guardian Weekly (Digital) - 1 Issue, 14 February 2025

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