Demagogue

The Los Angeles Times in an editorial (printed August 16, 2023) calls Donald Trump a dangerous demagogue.  But what is a demagogue?

The Oxford Dictionary says “a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument. Merriam-Webster says “a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.”

Do these definitions describe Donald Trump? False claims and promises were trademarks of his presidency and he continues the same strategy to win a second term as president.  His lies about the 2020 election results have been repeated over and over to this day.  There was no faulty election equipment.  Thousands of dead people were not entered as voters.  Each state had the power to determine its results and did so.

There are other demagogues in our midst today.  Alex Jones who has a large following.  You remember. He is the one who said that said the Sandy Hook killing was a lie and the killing was a staged act.

During his presidency Trump over saw the building of new border wall that was for the most part a replacement of pre- existing barrier. It was all based on the fear that millions of illegal migrants were coming into the country to spread drugs and mayhem.

Tucker Carlson is a demagogue.

Historically Adolph Hitler and Mao Zedong were demagogues.

We always have to hang up on conspiracy theorists.