SHARED TRAITS BY DICTATORS (AND TRUMP) THROUGH THE CENTURY:

Self-infatuation: Dictators often obsess over promoting and displaying their image to project power and dominance, using mandated public displays like statues, money, portraits, and banners. This tactic, seen in figures like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Hussein, and Trump, reflects the same sociopathic and narcissistic goals (Trump credit card, Trump money, Mt. Rushmore, replacing White House portraits, etc.) These behaviors are typical sociopathic and narcissistic traits to reinforce their presence and power, stemming from actual deep insecurity and desire for godlike omnipresence.
Trump… Check.

Dismantle Checks and Balances: Dictators aggressively pursue absolute power by undermining and dismantling judicial and legislative systems to eliminate opposition and centralize control. These authoritarian regimes often present themselves at first as efforts to rescue a struggling democracy, masking their true intentions.  Trump… Check.

Information management - Dictators retain power by controlling information through propaganda, media manipulation, and fear. They use tactics like discrediting opponents, spreading conspiracy theories, and targeting dissenters with arrests, legal threats, and smear campaigns to intimidate and silence opposition. 
Trump… Check.

Dismantling the media or any public information system is usually the first target. It's not a coincidence that Trump keeps quoting the Shakespeare quote Stalin made infamous: "Media is the enemy of the people."  He is greasing the wheels.
Trump… Check.

Criminalize abortion and isolate minorities: Dictators often begin by criminalizing abortion to control women's bodies and enforce population goals, especially in regimes focused on national purity or demographic fears. They also target minorities, isolating and altering their status to advance the dictator's vision of supremacy. Trump… Check.

Convince the populace they are partners and equals: Dictators harness and manipulate large segments of a disgruntled population, offering the illusion that they are "counter-revolutionaries" and "saviors" in saving the current country or state. They claim their rise is necessary due to the incompetence of previous governments and experts. Trump… Check.

Narcissism, false charisma, paranoia:  Dictators commonly exhibit narcissism, false charisma, and paranoia. They often replace experts with loyal, unqualified insiders—sometimes family members—who won't challenge their authority. These leaders build echo chambers of supporters motivated by fear and personal gain, reinforcing their unchecked power. Trump… Check.

Academic suppression:  Dictators quickly move to control or dismantle media and academic institutions to suppress critical thinking and eliminate opposing viewpoints that could challenge their authority. 
Trump… Check.

Dictators operate, rise to power, and maintain control. They often reject expert input, convincing the public that experts have failed them. This approach helps them gain and keep power but typically results in harmful and historically disastrous outcomes.  Trump… Check.

Dictators lack moral boundaries: Dictators make opportunistic alliances (think Russia) and often alienate surrounding countries, dismantling existing alliances that could challenge their cause.   They embrace the idea that "the ends justify the means."  Trump… Check.

Employ economic chaos to bring the people to the point of ruin, profit from the chaos, and then offer the people hope and a path forward. Trump… Check.

Social and information manipulation: Dictators gain power by exploiting weaknesses and discontent in the social and political environment. Trump… Check.

Open Defiance: Dictators test the waters by attempting to defy existing and accepted legislative and judicial bodies.  Trump… Check.

Religious alignment: Dictators quickly align with the religious sector that can offer the greatest support. The religious doctrines take precedence over the law.  Trump… Check.

Dictatorships, Oligarchies, and authoritarianism appeal to very specific and targeted people, often attracting individuals who value order and hierarchy and are dissatisfied with current leadership. These people are drawn to strongman figures who promise control, safety, and alignment with their beliefs—especially when their discontent can be exploited. Trump… Check.

Wealth accumulation:  Dictators create kleptocracies, enriching themselves and their allies through corruption by transferring national wealth to the elite. To achieve this, they first try to impoverish and weaken the general population, making them dependent and easier to control. Trump… Check.

Government reduction and reorganization: Dictators start by shrinking government to benefit elites and harm the public while eliminating checks and balances. They replace experts with loyal, unqualified allies—often friends, family, or obedient insiders—to consolidate control.  Trump… Check.

Savior during crisis premise:  Dictators often maintain power by exploiting or manufacturing crises to present themselves as saviors. These crises typically target current leadership, immigrants, or minorities, using fear to gain support and justify repression and national purity agendas.  Trump… Check.

Narcissistic thirst for attention: Dictators rely on controlling the public narrative and seeking constant adoration, often in a fear-driven environment. However, their narcissism blinds them to the fact that the admiration they receive is not genuine but driven by fear.  Trump… Check.

Believe their own lies over time.  Trump… Check.

Disguised democracy:  Dictatorship begins by disguising itself as democracy, using media control and legal tactics to suppress opposition, and rejecting election results or legislative decisions.  Trump… Check.

Prepurchase powerful support: Dictators also secure unprecedented influence through private actors and funding sources who are offered a seat at the table with the promise of social, political, and financial success and favoritism. Trump… Check.

Unfaithful to supporters over time:   Oligarchs and power brokers often help dictators gain power in exchange for influence and protection. However, once the dictator consolidates control, these allies are often discarded or targeted, revealing the instability of authoritarian alliances.  Trump… Check.

Its uncanny….