Fact check: Is Donald Trump ruling like a king?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is substantial evidence suggesting that Donald Trump is indeed ruling in ways that resemble monarchical or authoritarian leadership. Multiple sources characterize Trump as an authoritarian populist leader who uses populist rhetoric while aggrandizing his own power ^[1]. Political scientists have observed that the United States is moving toward authoritarianism under Trump's leadership, with comparisons to competitive authoritarianism seen in countries like Hungary and Turkey ^[2].

The evidence shows Trump is aggressively deploying presidential power, threatening and intimidating opponents, and disregarding the Constitution - representing a significant departure from the principles established by the US founding fathers ^[3]. His approach to executive power is described as distinct from his predecessors, with a willingness to disregard constitutional principles and push the boundaries of executive authority in ways that are akin to monarchic behavior ^[3].

Recent developments have further expanded Trump's power, with the Supreme Court's ruling limiting lower courts' ability to block executive orders, allowing him to enact policies that were previously thwarted and potentially enabling more authoritarian governance ^[4]. This has freed Trump to pursue his agenda more forcefully, wielding executive power in an expansive way ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal important demographic context missing from the original question: Trump's authoritarian tendencies are viewed differently across various demographics, with white men and women being more likely to support authoritarian values, while women of color are the least likely to do so ^[6]. This suggests that perceptions of whether Trump is "ruling like a king" may vary significantly based on the observer's demographic background.

The sources also provide historical context on the expansion of presidential power that puts Trump's actions in perspective, noting that while presidential power has expanded over time, Trump's approach represents a distinct departure from constitutional norms ^[3].

Additionally, there's mention of Trump's relationship with actual monarchy - specifically King Charles - where he is treated with respect and courtesy by the royal family, which could provide insight into how he views or aspires to monarchical treatment ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question "Is Donald Trump ruling like a king?" appears to be a legitimate inquiry rather than containing obvious misinformation. However, the framing could be seen as potentially loaded, as it invites comparison to monarchy without providing specific examples of the behaviors in question.

The question lacks specificity about which aspects of monarchical rule are being referenced - whether it's the concentration of power, disregard for constitutional limits, or ceremonial aspects of leadership. The analyses suggest that if the question refers to authoritarian concentration of power and disregard for constitutional principles, then the comparison has merit based on scholarly assessment ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

The timing context is also important: the analyses reference Trump's second term and recent Supreme Court decisions that have expanded his executive power ^{[8] [5] [4]}, suggesting this question is particularly relevant to current developments rather than historical assessment.