By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Newsmax host Rob Finnerty lauded Donald Trump’s swift implementation of numerous executive orders upon his return to the White House, characterizing him as a “dictator” elected by the American people. These orders included efforts to overturn birthright citizenship, deny transgender rights, expand the death penalty, and pardon January 6th rioters. Finnerty celebrated this “shock and awe” approach, suggesting it overwhelmed the mainstream media’s ability to provide thorough coverage. He attributed the public’s support to their having “asked for and voted for” these actions.
Read the original article here
A Newsmax host recently made a startling claim: that Donald Trump is a dictator whom the American people voted for. This statement, while inflammatory, warrants a closer look. It’s not simply a matter of dismissing it as hyperbole from a partisan source. The assertion itself reveals a concerning trend in how some interpret and justify political power.
The core of the statement hinges on the idea of popular mandate. The host seems to be arguing that because Trump won the presidency, he has the unfettered right to govern as he sees fit, regardless of the implications for democratic norms and institutions. This perspective ignores the complexities of the American electoral system.
It’s important to remember that presidential elections in the United States aren’t won by a simple majority of the population; they are decided by the Electoral College. This means that a candidate can win the presidency without achieving a majority of the national popular vote. Trump’s victories, in both 2016 and 2020, exemplify this. While he secured electoral college wins, his popular vote totals were significantly lower than his opponents’. This fact is pivotal in analyzing the host’s assertion.
Furthermore, significant portions of the electorate did not vote for Trump at all. Many chose not to participate in the election, while others supported alternative candidates. The assertion that “the American people” voted for a dictator conveniently overlooks this massive segment of the population, those who either actively opposed him or chose not to engage in the process. This omission is a deliberate distortion, making the claim profoundly misleading.
The host’s statement also seems to disregard the substantial concerns raised throughout Trump’s presidency regarding his authoritarian tendencies. These included attacks on the press, the judiciary, and democratic institutions, all actions at odds with the principles of a democratic society. To frame these as simply the actions of a leader chosen by the people ignores the serious challenges to democratic values these actions represent.
The statement’s implication is far-reaching. It suggests a normalization of authoritarian tendencies, implying that if a leader wins an election, no matter how narrowly, they can then govern in an authoritarian manner. This is a dangerous precedent, threatening to erode democratic principles and norms. It fosters a sense of complacency, where any critique of a leader’s actions is dismissed as anti-democratic.
This isn’t about simply defending or criticizing a particular political figure; it’s about the critical importance of accurate representation of political realities. To suggest that a leader, who did not secure a majority of the popular vote and whose actions raise significant concerns about his respect for democratic norms, was a dictator voted in by the American people, fundamentally misrepresents the political landscape. It’s an attempt to legitimize behaviors that should be actively challenged and debated within the context of upholding a healthy democracy.
The statement serves as a warning sign. It highlights the potential for misinformation and the manipulation of narratives to justify potentially harmful political actions. It’s vital to scrutinize such pronouncements, ensuring a clear understanding of the factual basis of claims, and to actively challenge viewpoints that normalize or legitimize authoritarianism. The health of a democracy depends on it.