In a move branded as “Liberation Day”, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on all U.S. trading partners, declaring it a rebirth of American industry. Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, he portrayed the moment as a turning point in reclaiming national wealth and identity. The announcement defied economic advice from experts who warned of “catastrophic” consequences for U.S. consumers. Within a day, global markets reacted with sharp declines, while world leaders signalled retaliatory measures, raising concerns over a potential global trade war.
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Trump’s rhetoric and policymaking have long blurred the line between fact and fiction. From reviving the racist “birther” conspiracy to styling himself as a “king” in a fabricated political reality, his presidency has been marked by distortion and spectacle. Now joined by Elon Musk – who, as a presidential adviser and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has actively promoted fringe theories – the two have forged a new political order. Together, they advocate simplified truths, disdain for institutional checks, and embrace of populist narratives. This alliance has accelerated a shift from democratic norms to a corporate-style governance model.
Academic experts describe this model as “patrimonial”, where leaders wield power based on loyalty rather than law. Trump’s leadership, akin to a family business, has ignored constitutional boundaries, attempted to discredit judges, and dismissed expert voices as threats. His administration has acted impulsively, reversing firings, issuing legal threats, and manipulating public discourse – all while positioning independent institutions as enemies. These actions, experts say, echo the tactics of authoritarian figures like Putin and Orban, using the state as a personal extension of power.
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Social media platforms have further enabled this distortion. Musk dismantled X’s content moderation, leading to a surge of misinformation, while Meta scaled back fact-checking efforts. Meanwhile, Trump’s Truth Social platform promotes unrestricted speech and fantastical visions of global transformation. As their fanbases grow more fervent – often treating them as near-religious figures – the pair continues to redefine political leadership. What emerges is a world where facts are optional, institutions are expendable, and belief is more powerful than truth.
