“Left-leaning media warn of Trump’s potential return, predicting extreme consequences.”
Left-leaning media outlets like the Washington Post, New York Times, and the Atlantic are raising alarm about a potential second term for Donald Trump, citing his lead over President Joe Biden in critical polls. Washington Post’s Robert Kagan penned an op-ed titled “A Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable,” warning of a potential drift towards dictatorship within months. Kagan expressed concern over Trump’s potential disregard for term limits, suggesting the 22nd Amendment might not impede his aspirations for an extended presidency.
The New York Times highlighted potential consequences of a second Trump administration, predicting weaker checks on his power and the possibility of more radical policy implementation. They argued that diminished forces that restrained his autocratic tendencies in the first term could lead to a more extreme governance style.
The Atlantic introduced a special issue warning of extreme repercussions if Trump were to win in 2024, emphasizing the existential threat Trump and his ideology pose to America. Essays within the issue foresee dire scenarios such as a constitutional crisis and the undermining of civil rights in a potential second term.
Trump allies responded critically to these narratives, with Donald Trump Jr. denouncing the outlets’ characterization of his father as a dictator. These concerns from liberal publications coincide with reported worries among Democrats regarding Biden’s performance in potential elections against Trump. Biden’s approval ratings on Black Friday lagged behind those of his recent predecessors, with polling averages indicating a slight lead for Trump and deficits in many swing states.