Declaring a fake emergency as an excuse to deploy the military to police civilians is one of the most canonical examples of authoritarian takeovers. Overseas, people see clearly what Trump is doing. Here in America most people — especially those with power or influence — are in denial.
But no one overseas is speaking up.
be carefull the next step is probably declaration of "national emergency". because then...
"those sorts of things just never happen here"
100%. If this was another country: "Paramilitary groups loyal to the President patrol the capital. In another opposition stronghold, thousands have been kidnapped & disappeared by the regime." The media here is either incapable or unwilling to inform the public.
I can't believe how easily the people of the Land of the Free, who ranted for decades about government tyranny, are just handing their country over to a corrupt autocrat. "Papers, please!" is not longer associated with Vichy France.
In denial? You give them too much credit. They are complicit. I just read one of them saying, give tRump a third term!
I continue to be amazed by the lack of awareness and incredible level of self-focus by so many people.
Or worse - maybe those with power & influence do not care...
Cry more, loser
Failed "summit" Authoritarianism in the capital Protecting sex traffickers Any of these 3 things would've have doomed a democratic potus
Americans are too complacent. Boiling frogs enjoying their "hot tub."
Look who is coming to DC in support of Ukraine and Zelensky (no jackass Brian Glenn to badger him about a suit this time) •Europe will get to see Tanks in DC •Masked gangs in camo roaming the streets as cosplay law enforcement •Spontaneous music festivals may happen near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Rep Andy Ogles of Tennessee is all in Says give Trump a 3rd term A Nobel Peace Prize And let him run DC He's fine with Trump destroying our country, destroying the constitution and bill of rights GOP Fascists supporting an authoritarian Klepotcract
Denial? A whole lot of complicity too. For instance, can't your state officials arrest federal officials for following illegal orders?
And that is where it's going to get really interesting.. A face-off between armed city police officers (protecting and serving the population), and armed ICE brown-shirts. .
I was casting my net further than that. For instance, there's the capacity for politicians to deputize and appoint members of the public with law enforcement capacity, and it's not just police who have those powers.
I've got some news for you if you think city police aren't on their side....
This is where there's a lot more than municipal police to pick from.
Some of it is willful ignorance. They know what’s happening, they’re choosing not to act. Saying it’s denial lets people get away with doing nothing because they’re unable to understand the gravity. They know.
Those with power and influence are as insatiable as Trump. They sold their morals and their ethics, if they ever had any, to stand by the biggest joke on the planet. Even real dictators don't respect him. The rest of us see him for the pathetic hater he is.
They are not in denial. Those with power and influence are cheering it on because they are in power and have influence and want to remain there.
Most people in America aren't even aware of it. The vast majority of people don't follow the news or don't even have the ability to watch it.
Most have the ability to watch local or national network news, or spend a buck for a newspaper, but sadly most Americans have abdicated their responsibility to be INFORMED (as the Founders *intended* them to be, by protecting press freedom in 1A). They choose sports, reality TV, other dumbass shit.
This is not true anymore. It would have been true 15 or 20 years ago. Local news is only available with local television subscriptions and most Americans don't have that. What you can get online is paywalled or limited/preview content in the first place in 80% of media markets.
I have a degree in broadcasting; all local broadcast TV and radio stations that have FCC licenses to broadcast on their assigned radio frequency are free over the air. All people need are a radio and/or TV set, which can pick up signals with bunny ears. 97% of US households have at least one TV set.
Nonsense. Over-the-air TV broadcasts are available to nearly everyone (except the GOP is in charge at CBS, Fox, and many local stations, e.g. Sinclair). The vast majority of news sites aren't paywalled. A lack of literacy and civics education, plus the right-wing media ecosystem, is the problem.
I don't think you're counting for how many people don't have television and internet. It's literally in the tens of millions. That's a lot of people, then you add the people who lack access in other ways. It's a lot more than people seem to think. We are online, so we assume others are.
No, 97% of US households have at least one TV set, that's ~329,800,000 people out of the US population of 340M with TV. And those without it could include permanent residents or undocumented immigrants who can't vote in any case. Most also have cells & internet, and libraries with 🖥 & 📰 are free.
Yes, and that explains why hundreds of millions of Americans don’t vote: voting is also inaccessible to the many who don’t have access to libraries and other media. However, the vast majority of Trump voters do have access to NPR, the Guardian, and local news. And they are who we should be blaming.
After cutting cable to save money and dumping Twitter bc nazis, its been genuinely difficult to get news. I have to actively seek it out and most of the time there're paywalls. Most people just aren't going to make the effort and what does penetrate is RW talking points. We're so fked.
The Republicans like to keep their electorate uneducated.
No. The Republicans have lots of sources of news, they all skew the same way politically but they are without paywalls. Liberal sources are many fewer and the majority have paywalls that ordinary people can't afford.
I have to agree. Particularly now that it’s being reported other states are sending Guard troops. It’s escalating where there was no threat to begin with.
NYT editors put "Claudine Gay" in "top 5 featured on the New York Times homepage Dec 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25" While they put Trump calling for Constitution's "termination" on page 15 and his chief of staff's "tyrant" warning on 12 Christopher Rufo openly bragged about the plans:
"once again you think the president's mistress directing impossibly cruel policy would be a bigger story but it does not get much play outside of overtly liberal outlets" "This isn't even scheming viziers territory, this is the emperor's favored concubine calling the shots" bsky.app/profile/abea...
Watching from upstairs and it’s clear as day.
IMHO most of those with power or influence are supportive of autocracy because they believe it will work out well for them.
They are aware. They just don’t care.
I live 100 miles away. It is obvious to everyone here what’s going on. Really not sure why major institutions are allowing it.
100%. It’s blindingly obvious what is happening. This is fascism and authoritarianism to its core. Compounded by complicit media and corporations bending the knee. The lies, denial and capitulation are pathetic. Not the land of the free and definitely not the land of the brave.
How many nights did “Big Balls” stand in the the street topless before he got two minors to attempt an attack. Isn’t that entrapment
Or in kahoots.
Is 2025 US a rehearsal for 1930's Germany?
Most with power and influence seem to be just fine with this. Along with a truly alarming number of low information voters and non-voting citizens.
"It is sometimes the appropriate response to reality to go insane." - Philip K Dick
Call me a pessimist but I don’t think it is all about denial. I truly believe that many smart, wealthy, and powerful people see exactly what is happening but are only interested in maintaining their status and privilege. That might be their primary motivation for compliance.
Unfortunately money decides
Or are complicit.
Over this side of the world we see what's happening, and apart from the few Trump supporters (whose knowledge of US life, politics and the Constitution often extends no further than Disneyland) we look on in amazement, disgust and sympathy for the victims.
This has to be Miller pulling the strings
Whose in denial? I have to say, sending troops in to fight an imaginary problem does NOT counter the weak image of Trump in Alaska. I just don't see how even his followers can do anything but cringe at how weak he really did look compared to Putin.
He looked weak after his meeting with Putin in his first term too. It didn’t matter.
These two clowns in denial will be among the first rounded up: @schumer.senate.gov @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social
Delusional
Denialism is rampant.
I can see it clearly from here in Canada. Not interested in living like that!
Same thing
how many more do we need? they have been getting more obvious by the moment since the bush era we need resistance that resists nazi scumbag pervert traitor republicans harder than they fight aoc, katie porter and maxine waters hakeem, schume and team pelosi aint it
For many people, the reality of what’s happening is too horrifying, so they make excuses for it, “both sides” it, and normalize it. It’s a coping mechanism.
So the citizens need to respond in huge numbers.
Right next door we see clearly what he’s doing That’s why we aren’t visiting Never ever 51 🇨🇦❤️💪
Watching from Canada and my American family seems oblivious
My Ohio (mom's side) fam are more than alarmed. Mixed response on my Calif born/raised (dad's side) of the fam.
It’s hard for many people to believe the reality of what is going on when it’s not hitting them personally. That or they don’t really mind any parts of this stuff enough to alarm them about everything going on. Also, Fox News and its echo chambers have done a real job on a lot of European-Americans.
For a litmus test of sorts, find out what they think about January 6th. That may speak volumes.
Worst. Disappearing people. By supposedly masked federal agents. Sometimes in unmarked vehicles. This is the stuff that you see in the Americas, in countries like Cuba and Venezuela. And in the past in Argentina and Chile.
In Russia and Belarus, too.
ABC NBC and CBS need to be telling the American people that there’s a hostile takeover a political coup they’ve lost their insurance on a nightly basis for all those that listen to 1/2 an hour of news. Why is the media in denial? This is a political coup.
It's also quite possible "those with power or influence" are fully on board with the authoritarian takeover.
They very much are on board. The American oligarchs. RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW
My 2 daughters who live in the US are well aware of the state of things and are very alarmed.
Where is the lawsuit...this isnt an emergency.
Absolutely. And red state governors are quick to join the fascism party.
Too many people just plain have their heads up their own asses.
They don’t care
Many with money and power don’t care
Yes, exactly. It just doesn’t seem like the Dems and independents in Congress had a coherent plan once the election moved forward. And the media doesn’t help. They take his ridiculous comments and treat them as if they’re legitimate comments. Instead of plainly stating the facts
Sorry, but currently they have no power. You voted them out of it. You have to start taking it to the streets if you are unhappy with the result. The politicians can’t help you much, even if they want to.
I.e this. bsky.app/profile/cweb...
I’m aware of who holds majority in government branches and what they’re up against. I still think a unified message is important. I’m also aware who I voted for/against. I also still think big media is playing a zero sound game for the $. I’ve protested, now I’m joining other actions.
Yes, but you asked for a plan. Not obvious to me what that could consist of, apart from taking stuff to the courts and argue as I think they do. Frankly, I think that both they, and media, are under the impression that most Americans don’t care very much.
I didn’t ask you for a plan. I have thoughts in mind and convey them to my representatives. I think the impression that no one in America cares is way out of line. The country is so divided right now, people are protesting in the streets regularly including myself.
Indeed, a very deep denial. Pathetic. 😠
The civilized world is perplexed by our stupidity. What a sad end to a great experiment.
Are they though?
Dem leadership now
Those with power or not influence aren't in denial. They're ok with authoritarianism or fascism. They will do well in such a regime. They are complicits.
“We the people” better stop with the”It can’t happen here” and get it through our heads that it IS happening right now!! If we want our country back, it’s time to get up and retake it!!
This chucklefuck STILL insists Dems are falling into Trump's clever trap by not going along with it
It’s capitulation
This has always been the best way to deal with him. Show his incompetence, ignorance and foolishness by ignoring him. Dismiss him as a fool and move on past him. "Right, Mr. President, gotta go. I've got important things to do. Don't have time for unserious people.
So far, this whole thing makes Trump look weak and inept. Troops standing around doing nothing, peaceful people going about their business, few protests, no violence.
Are those with power or influence truly in denial? Or, are they accepting of whatever comes as long as they can legally pay little or no taxes and fear no consequences for just about anything they do, as long as they pay their bribes and praise, kneel & bend over for the dear leader?
Some are just in it to get as much 💰💰💰 and power as they can.
when america has lived in a bubble thinking they were always the greatest country in the world, steps to total collapse are few and easy
Oh but youre wrong, those with power and influence WANT this to happen because they think that theyre insulated from it, that their money and connections will keep them safe and everyone around them will benefit from it all
The people here who willfully 'don't see it' are those who benefit from these moves. For now. It's only a matter of time before they are also impacted, but that's likely to be too late.
Democrats in Congress need to come back early just to send a message this sht ain’t ok.
So many people are oblivious to what's going on because they think America can do no wrong. The sooner we stamp out that mindset the sooner we can actually start trying to improve.
These 6 Supreme Court Justices are enabling Trump & Republican Party lawlessness and abuse of power! John Roberts - Chief Justice Thomas Clarence Samuel Alito Brett Kavanaugh Neil Gorsuch Amy Coney Barrett Focus relentlessly on SCOTUS corruption.
I don’t think it’s so much denial as disinterest. It isn’t happening to THEM after all
And @SenatorSchumer.gov and @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social have nothing to say. But wait, @hakeem-jefries.bsky.social has all day to attack a real democrat Mamdani,because Jeffries is more interested in giving comfort to the rich donors. Pathetic.
It's very clear to us Europeans: he's going to provoke violence, then declare a state of emergency. And then postpone the elections. President for life.
Trump is running through a variety of localized test cases, but hasn't yet gone nationwide. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't be very worried, but it helps to explain why there isn't more uniform opposition to Trump’s authoritarian moves.
They are PRETENDING
It’s that belief that it can’t happen here. People are complacent.
Too much of the media is taking the safe road & not speaking truthfully about the dismantling of democracy happening every day. It’s a 5 alarm fire, they’re acting as if they don’t even see the smoke. Those in the media who do speak the truth can’t handle it all themselves, its all our fight
Americans refuse to see it because, while it's based on an idea, this country is a profound contradiction. Founded on the ideas of liberty and justice for all(?), but darkly undergirded by white supremacy, of which it will not divest itself—built on stolen land by stolen people. #TheWorldWatches
This is truth
I'm waiting to see the fake emergency he uses to cancel the mid-term elections.
It’s so ridiculous many people don’t feel it’s “serious.” But a trait of authoritarianism is it’s exerted via utter nonsense. Women must cover their hair. People need to hang a leader’s photo at home. Books are banned. The military is dispatched to quiet streets. The best scientists are suppressed..
I think that's due in part to politics becoming so partisan and petty over the past couple decades. The media has framed everything as merely partisan, and downplays everything. I don't do it but I can see how some don't take it seriously. MSM doesn't portray it as serious.
I agree. With the media sane-washing Trump, among others, they’ve abdicated their fundamental duty to provide a channel for facts and reality and instead dedicate their toil to “reporting,” which is code for presenting myriad opinions as valid when many are abject lies meant to deceive and distract.
Thank god you’re here on the internet to tell us the truths you can see that normal people can’t. It’s like you’re Superman flying high above us. Thank you, Superman!
Some aren’t in denial. They support it.
And in America most people are too busy looking at TikTok to even care.
It's all fake excuses, while the media works hard pretend some justification, backed up by SCOTUS. "Invaded by Venezuela" (hah!)--> AEA deportations "economic emergency" (what?)--> tariffs "LA insurrection" (i.e. protesters) --> call out marines "crime in cities" (it's down!) -> Nat'l guard/ICE.
📌
I think they just like their proximity to power… even when it’s more limited to others.
nobody gives any attention worldwide but in Italy this idea rules all governments plans they’re always under emergency state Sabina Guzzanti exposed it all in this fantastic documentary: m.imdb.com/title/tt1650...
Up here in Canada we’re not even overseas and we can see it clearly - that’s why many of us want nothing to do with the USA until you fix this sh*t. 🇨🇦😊😊
Does anyone in the press, or the Dems and/or Independents in Congress ever say: “We want verifiable, concrete, irrefutable PROOF”of your claims”…? No. They just let Dump lie and declare emergencies that don’t exist. It’s infuriating.
Idi Amin took control too and he looked great in military outfit. Looked proper commander in chief. Your emperor just looks like you have no social care for your vulnerable elderly. Is it true this one has a lifelong sexual interest in children?
💯
