Psychology of Power: Trump’s Evolution and the Authoritarian Playbook
March 19, 2025 | The Trump Cabinet
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, journalist and author Susan Glasser offered an in-depth analysis of Donald Trump’s political and personal transformation—and what that means for American democracy. Glasser, a veteran foreign correspondent and staff writer for The New Yorker, has chronicled both the first Trump term and authoritarian regimes abroad. In this conversation, she examined how Trump’s evolving personality, deepening obsession with loyalty and revenge, and alignment with authoritarian strongmen are reshaping the American presidency into something historically unprecedented.
Trump Then and Now: From Insecure Outsider to Unchecked Power
Glasser emphasized that while Trump’s personality has remained largely consistent, the way he wields power has fundamentally changed. In his first term, Trump was still seeking approval—especially from the establishment figures he long resented. “He was the insecure outsider from Queens who wanted Washington to bow to him,” she said.
Now, with a more decisive election win, Trump no longer feels the need for validation. Instead, Glasser noted, his focus has turned to domination, revenge, and the dismantling of opposition. “He’s not asking for respect anymore. He’s asserting raw power,” she explained.
The Rise of Loyalty Over Competence
One of the starkest differences between Trump’s first and second terms, according to Glasser, is his prioritization of personal loyalty above all else. The first administration included figures like Jim Mattis and John Kelly, who—despite ideological differences—acted as moderating forces. Today, those firewalls are gone.
Trump has surrounded himself with loyalists who will not dissent. This shift, Glasser explained, is not just about personnel—it’s about governing style. “The most important qualification now is loyalty to him—not experience, not competence, not adherence to the law.”
Fusing with the Far Right
Though Trump has never been a traditional conservative, Glasser described how he has successfully merged with the ideological far right. She cited initiatives like Project 2025—an ultra-conservative blueprint to dismantle federal agencies—and emphasized that Trump has become the figurehead for a coalition that includes tech libertarians, evangelical Christians, and nationalist ideologues.
“He is not their ideological peer, but he is their instrument,” she noted. This fusion allows Trump to pursue a radical agenda with broad support from factions that have long aimed to reshape American governance.
Whims, Retribution, and Authoritarian Parallels
From attempting to trade Puerto Rico for Greenland to punishing law firms that opposed him, Trump’s actions often blur the line between the petty and the dangerous. “It’s governance by whim,” Glasser said, “and that’s what separates a democratic system from a personalist one.”
She drew comparisons to leaders like Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has consistently praised. What was once admiration is now taking shape as imitation: consolidating control, undermining the judiciary, and questioning the legitimacy of opposition itself.
The Shrinking Space for Dissent
Perhaps most troubling, Glasser said, is the growing silence from those who once challenged Trump. Criticism from within his own party has virtually vanished. Democratic responses feel muddled or weak. And while Glasser believes civil society remains a vital bulwark, she acknowledged growing concern: “We’re not seeing the level of mass engagement we did during his first term—and that’s dangerous.”
The Real Threat Is What Comes Next
While Trump remains the same in many ways—driven by grievance, ego, and showmanship—Glasser argues the stakes have changed. With greater power and fewer restraints, Trump now operates as the central force in a system shifting toward authoritarianism.
“There’s no longer any question about who he is,” she said. “The question is: What will we do about it?”
In a political moment defined by consolidation, loyalty, and unchecked authority, Glasser’s analysis is a warning—one grounded not just in speculation, but in lived experience covering the rise of authoritarianism around the world.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.