"Ben-Ghiat pointed out that Trump's approval rating is dropping hard with all the unpopular policies he has implemented, even in the last month, including saber-rattling with NATO allies over Greenland, the ethnic cleansing and occupation of Minnesota, and the invasion of Venezuela. "I have seen this brand of strongman megalomania and the adverse effects it can ultimately have on leaders and their governments," she wrote. "I call it autocratic backfire.""
"She explained in her column that authoritarians build personality cults around themselves, complete with "propaganda machines" to "suppress news of their failures and exaggerate their influence and competency." They only listen to "loyalists who praise them" and people trying to get ahead who know how to work their egos, while they refuse to listen to policy experts and civil and military leaders who could provide better advice."
Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped sharply amid several unpopular policies, including saber-rattling with NATO over Greenland, the described ethnic cleansing and occupation of Minnesota, and the reported invasion of Venezuela. Authoritarian leaders construct personality cults sustained by propaganda machines that suppress news of failures and exaggerate influence and competency. Such leaders favor loyalists and ego-driven aides while dismissing policy experts and civil and military leaders. Insulation from criticism leads leaders to believe their own hype, prompting bolder, riskier actions. That dynamic, termed autocratic backfire, can erode public support and undermine leaders' control.
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