Could he be a new Hitler? Today Donald Trump becomes the President of the United States — again. Some worry that this could mark the beginning of the end for US democracy.
World on edge as Trump takes power
Could he be a new Hitler? Today Donald Trump becomes the President of the United States - again. Some worry that this could mark the beginning of the end for US democracy.
A few months ago, it seemed unlikely - even impossible - that this day would come to pass.
Today is Donald Trump's inaugurationThe introduction of a new system, or the formal ceremony introducing someone to office (most noticeably the US president). day. With one hand held up and the other touching a Bible, he will swear "to preserve, protect and defend the ConstitutionA document that sets out the fundamental rules according to which a country is governed, which are usually difficult to change. of the United States". Unusually, the event will take place indoors - Washington DC is in the grips of an unusual and "dangerous" cold spell.
Even so, hordes of roaring supporters will be in town, holding MAGAMake America Great Again. The slogan was a key part of Trump's election campaign in 2016. placards. For them it is a moment of ecstasy. Their man has beaten all the odds to again become the new leader of the free world.
But many commentators are not so elated. For them, Trump's return to power might spell the end of America's liberalLiberalism is a school of political thought that stresses individual liberty. Liberals believe that society should not try to impose values or behaviours on individuals but should be tolerant of different lifestyles. A leading exponent of liberal thought was the 19th-century English philosopher John Stuart Mill, the author of the classic work On Liberty. democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. and the world order it props up.
Some even worry that Trump might be the new Adolf Hitler, the fascistFollowing fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism. dictator who turned Germany into a police state, provoked World War Two and committed mass genocideThe annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture..
Trump has already taken the first steps in the dictator's playbook. As Martin Wolf writes in Financial Times: "It is evident that Trump is following a known playbook for turning a liberal democracy into an illiberal one."
He has taken over America's Republican PartyAlso known as the Grand Old Party or GOP, it is one of the USA's two major political parties. Its first president was Abraham Lincoln. It sits on the right of the political spectrum., transforming it into his own cult of personality.
He has shown himself as above the law, managing to avoid criminal convictions for hush money, fuelling the JanuaryThen-US president Donald Trump was accused of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results. riots and stealing official documents.
According to Trump's former chief of staff John Kelly, Trump even praised Hitler during his first term in office. Kelly also says that Trump meets "the general definition of a fascist".1
As he returns to the Oval Office, the whole world is waiting nervously to find out what comes next.
There is abundant evidence that Trump intends to take America down an authoritarianEnforcing strict obedience to authority. path.
The language used at Trump's rallies has already been compared to fascism. His followers are encouraged to see small groups - Muslims, immigrants, the DemocratsMembers of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party. Joe Biden and Barack Obama are both Democrats. - as dangerous villains. They attack "the enemy within", as Hitler attacked German Jews.
He has managed to persuade millions of people that his election loss in 2020 was unfair - even though all evidence points against this. A poll last year found that only 62% of Americans believed his loss to Joe Biden was fair.2
He has already stuffed the Supreme CourtThe highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. with allies. This time he and his supporters can try the same throughout the American justice system.
Historian Timothy Snyder calls Trump's government appointees a "decapitation strike". He has chosen deliberately incompetent people who will damage America's government permanently.
But these fears may be exaggerated. Trump has a slim mandate. And 52% of Americans hold an unfavourable view of him. If his policies cause economic turmoil, the Republicans could lose CongressThe legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts. control and turn him into a lame duckSomebody who is ineffectual or does not have any real power, especially a politician after their successor has already been elected. .
And unless he destroys the American constitution, he only has four years in office. Any attempt to turn himself into a dictator will cause an enormous backlash, which he would be unlikely to survive.
Could he be a new Hitler?
Yes: The warning signs are all there: the frenzied rallies, attacks on immigrants, lies about an enemy within. We should not be surprised when Trump takes America down an even darker path than expected.
No: There are some similarities. But their approaches are very different. Trump is a chancer. His policies are second to his will to power. Hitler, by contrast, was driven by an unshakeable sense of mission.
Or... These fears are overblown. The American political system is designed to stop one person or family gaining the powers of a king. In four years' time, Trump will be forced out of power by the rules set out in the constitution.
Inauguration - The introduction of a new system, or the formal ceremony introducing someone to office (most noticeably the US president).
Constitution - A document that sets out the fundamental rules according to which a country is governed, which are usually difficult to change.
MAGA - Make America Great Again. The slogan was a key part of Trump's election campaign in 2016.
Liberal - Liberalism is a school of political thought that stresses individual liberty. Liberals believe that society should not try to impose values or behaviours on individuals but should be tolerant of different lifestyles. A leading exponent of liberal thought was the 19th-century English philosopher John Stuart Mill, the author of the classic work On Liberty.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Fascist - Following fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism.
Genocide - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Republican Party - Also known as the Grand Old Party or GOP, it is one of the USA's two major political parties. Its first president was Abraham Lincoln. It sits on the right of the political spectrum.
6 January - Then-US president Donald Trump was accused of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results.
Authoritarian - Enforcing strict obedience to authority.
Democrats - Members of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party. Joe Biden and Barack Obama are both Democrats.
Supreme Court - The highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions.
Congress - The legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts.
Lame duck - Somebody who is ineffectual or does not have any real power, especially a politician after their successor has already been elected.
World on edge as Trump takes power

Glossary
Inauguration - The introduction of a new system, or the formal ceremony introducing someone to office (most noticeably the US president).
Constitution - A document that sets out the fundamental rules according to which a country is governed, which are usually difficult to change.
MAGA - Make America Great Again. The slogan was a key part of Trump’s election campaign in 2016.
Liberal - Liberalism is a school of political thought that stresses individual liberty. Liberals believe that society should not try to impose values or behaviours on individuals but should be tolerant of different lifestyles. A leading exponent of liberal thought was the 19th-century English philosopher John Stuart Mill, the author of the classic work On Liberty.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Fascist - Following fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism.
Genocide - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Republican Party - Also known as the Grand Old Party or GOP, it is one of the USA's two major political parties. Its first president was Abraham Lincoln. It sits on the right of the political spectrum.
6 January - Then-US president Donald Trump was accused of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results.
Authoritarian - Enforcing strict obedience to authority.
Democrats - Members of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party. Joe Biden and Barack Obama are both Democrats.
Supreme Court - The highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions.
Congress - The legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts.
Lame duck - Somebody who is ineffectual or does not have any real power, especially a politician after their successor has already been elected.