“Remember, I can do whatever I want to whomever I want.” This phrase, which might sound like something President Trump would say, was actually spoken by Caligula to his grandmother. Thankfully, America’s very own ruler of chaos hasn’t yet gone as far as appointing a horse to an esteemed government position like a consul. Still, it seems a horse might outshine some of the questionable figures we’re seeing around Trump.
Having wreaked havoc on the U.S. government, Western partnerships, and our alliance with Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump appears to be entertaining the notion of kingship, even mulling over a third term. His supporters shower him with grandiose praise, presenting him as a divine instrument. At this week’s Conservative Political Action Conference, a faction dubbed the “Third Term Project” displayed an audacious depiction of Trump as Caesar. Some wits online questioned if they were aware of Caesar’s fate.
America was crafted out of resistance to tyranny; our founding institutions were carefully built to ensure no king would ever rule over us. Yet, Trump revels in sharing images of himself as a monarch or as Napoleon, paired with a quote attributed to the emperor: “He who saves his country does not violate any law.”
After years of battling a legal system he alleges is out to get him, Trump seems eager to rise above the law. (The Supreme Court put a temporary hold on his decision to fire a government watchdog.) His refusal to accept the 2020 election results and the encouragement of a mob to disrupt the certification process—even at the potential risk to his vice president—unveiled his dictatorial tendencies. Now, it seems he’s also entertaining dreams of imperial conquest, contemplating taking over places like the Panama Canal, Greenland, Canada, Gaza, D.C., and even mineral rights in Ukraine.
His megalomania only expands. His disdainful remarks about Zelensky—questioning how a person with a reality TV background can belittle someone with a comedic past—illustrate his intolerance for opposition or criticism.
The Associated Press found itself in conflict when it declined to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America at Trump’s behest, leading to its exclusion from some presidential events. In response, the A.P. launched a lawsuit, insisting, “The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government,” warning that allowing such government overreach poses a threat to American freedoms.
During a White House meeting with governors, Trump unexpectedly reprimanded Maine’s Governor Janet Mills for opposing his executive order that barred transgender athletes from women’s sports. His message was clear: comply, or risk losing federal funding. Mills, undeterred, shot back with, “See you in court.” Trump, needing the last word as usual, retorted with a veiled threat to her political career.
A bold moment occurred, as noted by Shawn McCreesh in The Times: “Somebody defied President Trump. Right to his face.” I’ve been engrossed in a book, “How to Be a Bad Emperor: An Ancient Guide to Truly Terrible Leaders,” translated by Josiah Osgood. It delves into Caligula’s tendencies to indulge his whims and his joy in belittling others with harsh words. Suetonius noted Caligula’s lack of respect for the Senate, forcing prominent figures to follow his chariot or stand by his dining couch—a scene eerily reminiscent of present times.
Some Republicans have spoken out against Trump’s stance and actions, contradicting the traditional Republican view of Russia as an “Evil Empire” or, at the very least, with suspicion. When George W. Bush gazed into Putin’s eyes and claimed to see his soul, John McCain famously retorted, seeing “K, G, and B” in those same eyes. Yet, those who do speak out don’t seem ready to take substantial action. The party still largely falls in line behind Trump. Politico reported a swift effort from Trump allies, including Vice President JD Vance, to silence dissidents among the party’s defense hawks.
Following Trump’s outburst against Ukraine and labeling Zelensky as a “dictator,” even the normally pro-Trump New York Post deemed it necessary to call out such rhetoric, running a headline suggesting Trump was out of line.
One of the week’s striking images was Elon Musk jovially handling a chainsaw at CPAC—a symbol, perhaps, of the harm that might return to haunt Trump. Lawmakers are increasingly hearing from upset constituents about layoffs and government cuts that feel arbitrary and ruthless.
Many who previously hoped to disconnect from the Trump narrative realize that luxury is no longer theirs. The stakes now are higher than ever, and at times our 236-year-old institutions seem ill-prepared for the challenges. With timid Democrats and submissive Republicans, it appears King Donald might indeed feel he can do whatever he pleases.
