Watan-Simon Tisdall, in his opinion piece, argues that dictators, like Trump, typically fall, and we know how they are overthrown. He states that tyrants meet tragic ends, as history suggests, citing the bloody demise of Richard III and Coriolanus, Saddam Hussein’s execution, Slobodan Milošević’s imprisonment, Bashar al-Assad’s exile, and Muammar Gaddafi’s pursuit and eventual death in a sewer pipe in Libya.
Tisdall emphasizes that tyranny, derived from the Greek word “tyrannos” (absolute ruler), usually thrives on arrogance and inevitably leads to rivalry. “Tyrants fall, and their downfall is a blessing,” he writes. He also notes that tyranny has resurfaced in various forms, and everyone knows who is responsible.
He comments, “To be fair, comparing the loathed tyrants to Donald Trump would be completely wrong. He is worse in key areas. Trump is uniquely dangerous in his willingness and ability to harm the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, to cause a global economic disaster, and to threaten nuclear annihilation. This makes him increasingly dangerous with each passing day.”
Trump’s Dangerous Path: Will His Rule End Peacefully?
In any national contest, Trump leads the pack, closely followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Should these two narcissists form a partnership, it would be a terrifying idea, though not entirely out of the question. It could be called “Monsters We Are,” as “strongmen” across a troubled world line up to join their club.
However, like all tyrants, past and present, Trump must fall. But how can this goal be achieved peacefully and quickly? As the 100-day mark of his return to power approaches, these questions become more urgent.
Can the orchestrated assault he is carrying out on U.S. democracy, laws, values, and dreams be stopped? How can what remains of the international rules-based order be saved? What or who will dethrone him?
Tisdall writes that failures in policies and personal misconduct do not usually lead to the collapse of a presidency. The reason lies in the rigidity of the U.S. Constitution: incapacity is protected, and greed has a defined limit. Trump will remain in power until 2029 unless impeached for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” or declared unfit under the 25th Amendment.
Will he be lucky a third time? Possibly. With his loyal deputy, J.D. Vance, guarding the Oval Office, and a Congress filled with “MAGA” followers, it seems unlikely that such procedural removal will happen.
Tisdall points out that institutional support differs from the diminishing popular support. Nationwide protests last week, fears over inflation and savings, anger over federal funding cuts, cultural wars, and layoffs all reflect growing anxiety about the threats to an entire way of life. Polls show that Trump is losing moderates, whose votes ended Biden’s term. Yet, despite his royal-like similarity to another “tyrant,” King George III of Britain, a second American Revolution remains distant.
Legal and Moral Battles: Will Trump’s Corruption and Greed Be His Downfall?
Many have turned to the courts in search of salvation. Judges continue to challenge Trump’s mandates on deportations and other issues. A New York jury convicted Trump of 34 felonies last year, but he was not imprisoned. His companies are repeatedly accused of fraud. Now, the “major questions doctrine,” tested by the Supreme Court, might force him to comply. Legal expert Aaron Tang explains that it requires the government to prove “clear congressional authorization” for major economic and political decisions.
Tisdall asks, in the shadow of the Watergate scandal, could the media be the one to dethrone the tyrant? This is a hopeful dream, as the undermining of news institutions through social media and official lies from the highest levels casts them as “fake news” promoters. These media outlets also face costly legal challenges and total bans, as seen in Trump’s vindictive “America First” dispute with the Associated Press. The press’s basic principles of objective reporting are being undermined due to the White House’s preference for right-wing media outlets supportive of Trump.
Tisdall believes that the current battle carries moral and ethical dimensions, and since this is the United States, prayer remains a powerful weapon for those who want to “kill the wicked.”
Among the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—Trump is guilty of them all, mortally and comprehensively. In Isaiah 13:11, God warns: “I will punish the arrogance of the proud and lay low the haughtiness of the ruthless.” In this case, God knows, and miracles may happen.
Tisdall concludes that while all the tools available to remove tyrants are ineffective, Trump’s stupidity offers an advantage. Most people understand the absurdity of Trump’s “peace deal” that rewards Putin and betrays Ukraine. Does Trump really believe that supporting mass killings in Gaza, threatening to attack Iran, and his reckless bombing of Yemen will end the Middle East conflict and earn him a Nobel Peace Prize?
Trump’s Greed and Tariffs: The Self-Destructive Path to His Downfall
In almost every regard, Trump’s chaotic global tariffs harm American consumers, hurt businesses, and reduce U.S. influence. They benefit China and attack longtime allies and trading partners like Britain. His tech industry backers know this, as do many Republicans, but they dare not speak the truth to power.
Then there’s his greed—the glaring and shameless pursuit of money, which has already led to charges of insider trading, oligarchic corruption, and countless conflicts of interest, all without oversight from the 17 government watchdogs that Trump has arbitrarily ousted. His relatives and companies seek favorable foreign deals, and corruption on this scale cannot remain unchallenged forever.
Greed alone may be Trump’s downfall.
All of this leads to one conclusion: As a tyrant, and even as a president, Trump is largely useless. With his growing failures, frustrations, and delusions, he will become dangerously unstable. Trump’s biggest enemy is Trump, and those who want to save the U.S. and themselves, both domestically and abroad, must use all democratic means to contain, deter, weaken, and isolate him. For now, the best thing is for Trump to drown in his arrogance and destroy himself.
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