Fact check: Is trump setting him self to be a dictator of the USA

1. Summary of the results

The analyses reveal a complex picture regarding Trump's potential authoritarian tendencies. Trump himself has explicitly denied being a dictator, stating he has "great common sense" rather than dictatorial ambitions, even while acknowledging that "maybe we like a dictator" ^{[1] [2]}. However, his actions tell a different story according to multiple sources.

Over 500 political scientists surveyed believe the United States is moving swiftly toward authoritarianism, with many citing Trump's attempts to expand executive power as a major concern ^[3]. Scholars including Steven Levitsky and Kim Lane Scheppele have compared Trump's tactics to those of authoritarian leaders in Hungary and Turkey ^[3].

Concrete examples of concerning behavior include Trump's deployment of federal law enforcement to control crime in U.S. cities and plans to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago ^{[1] [2]}. More troubling are reports of Trump using governmental powers to investigate and prosecute critics, including John Bolton and other former officials ^[4]. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Venezuelan migrant deported to El Salvador despite a court order forbidding it, demonstrates the administration's willingness to ignore judicial constraints ^[5].

Democratic institutions have measurably declined - the US dropped below the 'democracy' threshold in 2020 according to various indices, with democratic erosion ongoing since 2010 ^[6]. Trump's attempts to subvert the 2020 election results and his divisive rhetoric that has exacerbated political polarization are cited as key factors ^{[6] [7]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important nuance about the difference between authoritarian behavior and formal dictatorship. Sources indicate that Trump could weaken democracy through "competitive authoritarianism," where democratic institutions still exist but are regularly abused, rather than establishing an outright dictatorship ^[8].

The timeline and scope of democratic decline is missing from the original question. Democratic erosion in the US predates Trump, having been ongoing since 2010, meaning Trump is part of a broader pattern rather than the sole cause ^[6].

Institutional constraints that could limit Trump's authoritarian potential are underexplored. While sources note that Trump faces fewer barriers to consolidating power in a potential second term, they also acknowledge that he "can't cancel the 2028 election" due to constitutional limitations ^[8].

Different stakeholder perspectives are absent. Political scientists and scholars who study authoritarianism would benefit from highlighting these concerns as it validates their expertise and research. Conversely, Trump supporters and Republican officials would benefit from downplaying these concerns to maintain political support and power.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains loaded language by asking if Trump is "setting himself to be a dictator," which presupposes dictatorial intent rather than asking about authoritarian tendencies or democratic erosion more broadly.

The question oversimplifies the complex process of democratic backsliding. Sources show that modern authoritarianism often involves the gradual erosion of democratic norms rather than dramatic seizures of power ^{[7] [8]}.

The framing ignores Trump's own denials and presents the issue as a foregone conclusion rather than examining the evidence objectively. While Trump's actions raise legitimate concerns among scholars, his explicit statements denying dictatorial ambitions should be part of any balanced assessment ^{[1] [2]}.

The question also lacks temporal specificity - it doesn't distinguish between Trump's first term, his post-presidency period, or potential future actions, which is important given that sources suggest he could face fewer constraints in a second term ^[8].