Fukayama’s Misstep
The beginning of a new American history
Political scientist Francis Fukuyama’s prediction that we, meaning those who glorify the western world, were at “The End of History and the Last Man,” and that “the rise of Western liberal democracy marked the endpoint of mankind’s ideological evolution,” meaning that Western style “democracy is the final form of government for all nations,” motivated the Western world to rest comfortably and applaud its accomplishment in determining the final course of history. The pundits of the Western world failed to recognize that they, as victors, wrote the history, and the history they were writing did not correspond with the history that was occurring.
As of Jan 1, 2026, the world has not demonstrated a trend toward democracy. Population Reviews’ Democracy Ranking by Country 2025depicts the trend.
Full Democracy: 25 countries
Flawed Democracy: 50 countries
Hybrid democracy: 33 countries
Totalitarian: 47 countries
The emergence of the most autocratic administration in the world’s most promoted democracy, the Donald Trump administration in the American government, has thrown the U.S. into despair and the world into confusion. Despite never being recognized as a bottoms-up democracy, where grassroots filters wants and desires to upper echelons of power, and having operated as a top-down democracy, where echelons of power convince the masses that constant wars and severe economic disparities are good for the nation, and, in times of danger, political repression is a necessary “dark deed” to assure survival (Ed: of the oligarchy), Americans felt protected by two words ─ checks and balances.
The “checks and balances” in the American democracy has the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial departments oversee and regulate one another, and guarantees no department gains absolute authority or violates the Constitution, its Bill of rights, and its 27 amendments. The guarantees, which provided U.S. citizens with a feeling that no person or agency could limit their democratic privileges, has weakened. The three government departments show indeterminate understanding of the other departments’ authority and operate, more and more, as if each is an unrelated agency in the federal government.
Without sufficient checks and balances, Americans see a void in Executive restraint, for which there is no rescue. Complaints that liberal governments pursued agendas that violated the rights of a majority led a coalition of white nationalists to seek and gain power, only to find their constitution shredded, their agendas corrupted by a small clique of “one” and a large clique of sycophants, and their moral compass pointed to scheming corruption. Their desire to have America isolated from the wars that raged across continents finds Trump’s America supporting Putin’s war, Israel’s genocide, and a revival of the Monroe Doctrine. Suppression of dissenting views, previously imposed on those who expressed “radical” views, have expanded to include those who contest Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people and have reached the conflicting arguments of the white nationalists who supported Trump’s ascendancy to the presidency. MASA (Make America Sane Again) is terrified and MAGA (Make America Great Again) feels betrayed. Fear that the Statue of Liberty will be replaced by a Statue of Donald Trump and the words liberty, freedom, and democracy will be words reserved for speeches and no longer characterize the land of shining shores has gripped the American public.
It was always there — the fragility of American democracy and, despite 27 amendments, an incapacity to protect the fragile democracy from totalitarian predators. Several presidents ignored Federal laws, restricted civil liberties, pardoned the unpardonable, surrounded themselves with family and sycophants, or allowed corruption. President Trump has done it all in one year, and in spades. He has capitalized on democracy weakness and citizen complacency to end the distorted history of the United States of America as the world’s democratic beacon and begun a new history of the United States as the world’s savior of money interests, might dictates right, and Judeo-Christian dominance.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, serve as the models for Trump’s flirtation with autocracy. Toss in touches of the self-serving, gun toting, and devious practices of former Uganda leader Idi Amin and former Dominican Republic dictator, Rafael Trujillo, and we have a more complete picture of how the ego tripping, corrupt, revengeful, lying, cheating, and deceitful Donald Trump can be characterized.
Yasser Arafat complained that Netanyahu always answered his requests with a “no,” citing national security risks. Trump uses the same words when his edicts are challenged.
The Department of Interior announced Monday that it was pausing all large-scale offshore wind leases immediately in response to “national security risks” identified by the Department of War.
Israel’s press releases always used the word “terrorist” with antagonists Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Trump administration designated Cartel de los Soles, which it claims is headed by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a foreign terrorist organization as the Trump administration indicates it could launch a military attack inside Venezuela’s borders.
The sycophancy, corruption, revenge attacks on opponents, and restrictions of civil liberties engineered by Trump resemble the same method of operation alleged to his “good friend,” Vladimir Putin.
Individual U.S. administrations exhibited either excessive Executive department cronyism, (Andrew Jackson spoils system), severe violations of the constitution (Abraham Lincoln is alleged to have violated the U.S. Constitution by suspending the writ of habeas corpus, and arresting individuals without charge, including political opponents and journalists), or suppressed dissent (Woodrow Wilson’s Attorney General Palmer raids against radicals). Trump’s administrations are accused of being guilty of all of these transgressions on American life. Previous presidents have witnessed associates using the executive office for their personal gain and committing corruption but no president, until Trump, has been cited as benefitting excessively from corruption. NBC reports, Crypto coin, cellphones, real estate: Trump uses power of his office to reap profits for family businesses.
If one theme has emerged in President Donald Trump’s second term, it’s this: He’s leveraged the power of his office for personal gain unlike anyone before in history.
From crypto coins to bibles, overseas development deals to an upcoming line of cellphones, Trump family businesses have raked in hundreds of millions of dollars since his election, an unprecedented flood of often shadowy money from billionaires, foreign governments and cryptocurrency tycoons with interests before the federal government.
The U.S. democratic political system has had its challenges, waded through them, and survived. A segment of society claims that the democracy designation is only an appearance, that the U.S. democracy is a disguised oligarchy whose democratic values appease the citizenry and never change the controlling mechanisms. They can now point to the Republican Party’s nominations of Donald Trump, where Party success was more important than adhering to democratic values and to his elections, where pluralistic America became adversarial America and show that democracy failed to politically educate and provide sufficient knowledge for citizens to make rational electoral choices. Regardless of the beliefs, the Trump administration, which still has three years to meddle with the constitution, has introduced and continues introducing, changes to the political system that should alarm every American.
- Reorganizing and dismantling of government agencies.
The Executive department exercises jurisdiction of the cabinet agencies, which are often bloated and commanded by political hacks. They needed an overhaul but not a bludgeoning that Trump’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) performed. The U.S. Supreme Court overruled lower courts and “granted the president an unparalleled ability to reorganize—or even dismantle—federal agencies.” This seems to violate Congressional oversight by the United States Congress over the executive branch. “Congressional oversight includes the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation. These [activities]include authorization, appropriations, investigative, and legislative hearings by standing committees; which is specialized investigations by select committees; and reviews and studies by congressional support agencies and staff.“ - Regulating Colleges
Trump has threatened to remove tax-exempt status and cut research funding unless several colleges follow his recommended changes to their hiring, admissions practices, and curriculum. - Dominating cultural institutions.
- Reorganizing and dismantling of government agencies.
Maybe the Kennedy Center needed a makeover; it did not need a takeover that disparaged Kennedy and exalted Trump. Sheldon Whitehouse, top Democrat on the Senate environment and public works (EPW) committee, launched a formal investigation into allegations of widespread cronyism, financial mismanagement, and corruption at Trump’s Kennedy Center.
Democrats on the committee said they obtained documents that suggest the national cultural center is being operated as a “slush fund and private club for Trump’s friends and political allies”, resulting in millions of dollars in losses and a significant deviation from its statutory mission. A central charge is that the Kennedy Center is providing preferential access and financial benefits to organizations connected to the Trump administration and its allies. In one contract, [interim president Richard ] Grenell granted world football’s governing body, Fifa, free and exclusive use of the entire Kennedy Center campus from 24 November to 12 December for the World Cup draw. Estimates provided by Whitehouse show this will cost the Center $5,038,444 in losses from direct rental fees, programming rescheduling, labor, food and beverage and other services. Multiple events were cancelled or rescheduled to accommodate Fifa.
- Cancelling States rights
The Tenth Amendment to the constitution says, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Trump intends to change that and coerce states to follow his authority. From the New York Times, Dec. 31, 2025.
- Cancelling States rights
Miffed at Colorado’s votes against him in three successive elections and furious at its refusal to free Tina Peters, a convicted election denier and ardent Trump supporter, Mr. Trump has opened an assault against the Democratic-run state. His administration has cut off transportation money, relocated the military’s Space Command, vowed to dismantle a leading climate and weather research center and rejected disaster relief for rural counties hammered by floods and wildfires.
After House and Senate voice votes (quasi unanimous) passed Bill H.R. 131, which aimed to finish a water pipeline under construction to provide municipal and industrial water to communities in southeastern Colorado, Trump vetoed the Resolution, arguing that “the bill would extend the repayment period and reduce interest rates, which he viewed as continuing ‘failed policies’ that burden taxpayers.” Trump’s vengeance overrides care for the Coloradoan people.
- Manipulating Social media
During Joe Biden’s administration, Congress cited national security concerns, and passed a law to ban the TikTok app, unless its control was sold to an American consortium. Set to go into effect on 20 January 2025, Trump halted the ban while his administration worked out a deal to transfer ownership. The final arrangement has Oracle (database management services), Silver Lake (investment firm), and MGX (Abu Dhabi‐linked investment firm) with a majority stake (~45 percent) in TikTok’s U.S. operations. The arrangement resolves the dubious “national security concerns” and presents another concern ─ billionaire Oracle executive chairperson and ardent Israel supporter, Larry Ellison, might have TikTok prevent Israel critics and Palestine supporters from airing opinions.The usual suspects, ever fearful that the U.S. public learns the truth of Israel’s genocidal pursuits, have targeted TikTop as a “tool of dangerous influence inciting violence against Israelis Palestinians,” and a “platform pushing pro-Hamas and pro-Palestine content.” Nothing said that Israeli Defense Force actively recruits influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms.”
- Manipulating Social media
In 2017, Ellison donated $16.6 million, to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, the largest donation in the organization’s history. In 2019, Palestinians and Palestinian Americans filed a $1 billion lawsuit against several Israel supporters, including Ellison, which accused them of “conspiring to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Israeli-occupied territories, committing war crimes, and funding genocide.” The case was dismissed in February 2024.
Although Oracle has only a 15 percent ownership of TikTok, Larry Ellison’s participation in its operations give Israel’s supporters hope that Palestinian expression will be censored.
- Turning armed forces into personal militias
On September 30, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth invited top military brass to a meeting at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Some military observers criticized the meeting as “a waste of resources, arguing it did not address pressing issues like military strategy or acquisition reform.”Instead, Hegseth informed senior military officials that “The sooner we have the right people, the sooner we can advance the right policies … but if the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign.” Trump, before the meeting is quoted as saying, “I’m going to be meeting with generals and with admirals and with leaders, and if I don’t like somebody, I’m gonna fire them right on the spot.” In a rambling 74 minute speech, “I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.”
- Turning armed forces into personal militias
The military has been told not to question “rules of engagement,” and the effect is immediate ─ murder on the high seas. U.S. strikes on alleged “drug boats” in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific ocean have killed more than 115 people since September. Not answered is why the boats are not stopped, the cargo examined and seized, the occupants interrogated and allowed to live and receive trial. Could they be people fleeing Venezuela and carrying contraband to subsidize their lives on a Caribbean Island beach, and do not have the USA as a destination?
Targeting “drug boats” escalated into seizing oil tankers, bombing a port in Venezuela, bombing Venezuela military facilities, seizing Venezuela’s president and first lady, and offering them to New York city courts. None of these actions are related to defense of the American mainland; the U.S. military is now a “hit squad” for Trump and his cronies on land and at sea, and that includes the U.S. mainland.
American law allows the president to call National Guard troops from any state into service if the US is “invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation,” or “there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion” against the US government. Trump has ordered National Guard troops into several cities and from his Quantico speech, hopes to use U.S. military troops for the same purpose. Is Trump testing the law and the military, learning if either can implement a future martial law that he might want after severe resistance to his complete domination of the American political system occurs?
- Compromising Rule of Law
All of the previous maneuvers by Donald Trump contain compromises with the “Rule of Law,“ a principle that all individuals and institutions are accountable to the law, which must be clear, public, and applied equally.” Trump’s pardons of convicted criminals and use of the nation’s highest office to enrich his family and friends evades the law and selects individuals who are allowed to evade the laws. He has brought compromises of the Rule of Law to its highest level
- Compromising Rule of Law
Pardons have been granted to individuals with connections to Trump and bypassed the traditional review processes. In less than one year, he has granted clemency to almost 1,600 individuals. These include about 1500, convicted by courts for their participation in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Luminaries, convicted of white collar crime include:
- Rudy Giuliani, former NYC mayor and Trump’s dirty tricks ally.
- Scott Howard Jenkins, convicted of accepting cash bribes and bribes in the form of campaign contributions. Trump accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the Department of Justice against political opponents by unfairly prosecuting and denying Jenkins, an ardent Trump supporter, a fair trial.
- Glen Casada, involved in conspiracy and fraud. Trump claimed the Justice Department under former President Joe Biden had “significantly over-prosecuted individuals for a minor issue involving constituent mailers.”
- Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of Binance, the largest cryptocurrency platform, convicted of anti-money laundering violations. Zhao ‘s pardon allows Binance to apply for licenses and forge other commercial partnerships made difficult by states that revoked money-transmitter licenses from the company’s U.S. affiliate, Binance.US. Zhao’s company assisted in business dealings that benefitted World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture run by Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr. Trump claimed he knew “nothing about the guy.”
- George Santos, former U.S. representative, who pleaded guilty to federal fraud and identity-theft charges, and admitted to using campaign funds to buy luxury products and pay off his credit card debt. Slated to be the next Attorney General.
- Juan Orlando Hernandez, former president of Honduras, convicted on drug-trafficking and firearms charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison for helping cocaine traffickers move hundreds of tons of narcotics into the U.S. Rumored to be appointed head of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
- Todd and Julie Chrisley, reality TV stars from “Chrisley Knows Best,” convicted in a scheme to swindle banks out of tens of millions of dollars. Next Federal Reserve Commissioners.
Put it all together and we have Trump replacing the penal system. He doesn’t determine who gets convicted or acquitted; he determines who serves the sentencing. Commit a crime. No problem. Snuggle up to Trump and the crime brings no time.
Each day, Donald Trump behaves similar to Louis IV, who is quoted as saying, “Le loi, c’est moi,” or, “The law is me.” A previously mentioned NBC report, described how Trump uses power of his office to reap profits for family businesses. The Atlantic also summarizes the unlawful corruption of the former and present Trump administrations.
Americans have never witnessed anything like the corruption that President Donald Trump and his inner circle have perpetrated in recent months. Its brazenness, volume, and variety defy historical comparison, even in a country with a centuries-long history of grift—including, notably, Trump’s first four years in office. Indeed, his second term makes the financial scandals of his first—foreign regimes staying at Trump’s hotel in Washington, D.C.; the (aborted) plan to host the G7 at Trump’s hotel in Florida—seem quaint.
Foreign regimes are beginning to see just how far their money can go in Trump’s America. The highest bidder has never had so much to gain.
In less than one year, Trump has dimmed the Statue of Liberty torch and made the Lady weep. Feeling invincible after killing more than 40 people, including 33 Cubans, without loss of American life (who knows???), in the abduction of Nicholas Maduro, Trump will assuredly move ahead with his plan to incorporate Greenland in the U.S. defense perimeter and delight in turning a devastated Gaza into a Middle East Riviera playground. He will continue to demolish democratic institutions and attempt to perpetuate his criminal form of governance by a succession plan that favors his family and cronies.
By denigrating democracy, Trump has served to alert the populace that American democracy is frail and weathered. Changing gun laws, which includes the second amendment, denying executive clemency, being able to indict sitting presidents, and refurbishing the holy trinity of government so they function more appropriately and achieve required checks and balances are only a small portion of the renovations needed for the decaying democracy. Regulation of a controlling media, Internet search engines, social media, and the crushing Artificial Intelligence so they assure information is accurate and not selective, and all voices are heard and dissent is not silenced, is a difficult challenge. Another constitutional convention will be appropriate, but a nation divided to the extent of contemporary USA will not be able to agree on the definition of “democracy.”
Simplicius, an erudite and interesting scholar in the substack universe, predicts,
It’s the law of the jungle now, might is right, and Trump has become a kind of ill-fated Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse figure, ushering in the new age of chaos just in time for the final arc of the Fourth Turning to transform the world into something unrecognizable.
This is not altogether a bad thing. The old age is dying, and something new is being born; this is a natural process and should be welcomed, albeit with great caution and an emphasis on awareness.
From my perspective, the United States is headed to becoming a more repressive state, engaging in civil strife, receiving international alienation, and suffering a resulting economic decline. And that is my optimistic view.
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