Trump’s Influence Over Judges, Corporations, the Media and similarities with Germany 1932

Trump’s Influence Over Judges, Corporations, the Media and similarities with Germany 1932

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Section 1: Judicial Influence and Targeting

Public Attacks on Judges

While U.S. presidents cannot unilaterally remove federal judges, Donald Trump has routinely undermined judicial independence by launching public attacks on judges whose rulings oppose his political goals.

Notable Example:

• Judge James Boasberg (U.S. District Judge)

  • In 2025, Trump called for Boasberg's impeachment after a ruling that blocked a mass deportation initiative.

  • This move prompted a rare public rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who reiterated the importance of judicial independence.

This approach has been part of a broader pattern of delegitimising courts and judges, often framing them as politically biased or corrupt.

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Section 2: Economic Pressure via Tariffs

Strategic Use of Tariffs

Trump has used tariffs not only for trade negotiation but as a tool to pressure corporations into compliance or to curry favour by offering selective exemptions.

Tariff Examples:

• China Tariff Hikes (2025):

  • Tariffs on Chinese imports were increased from 20% to 145%.

  • Heavily impacted importers such as Learning Resources, which saw an increase in annual tariff bills from $2.3 million to over $100 million.

  • Exemptions were selectively applied to certain goods like electronics, benefiting companies such as Apple.

Legal Pushback:

• Simplified (Florida-based stationery company):

  • Reported $1.2 million in additional costs due to tariffs.

  • CEO Emily Ley has sued Trump, alleging misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

These actions indicate that Trump's tariff policy was often used to bring businesses "to heel," using economic leverage as political capital.

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Section 3: Influence Over Media and Reporters

Undermining and Shaping the Media

Trump's media strategy has included aggressive attacks on mainstream outlets, efforts to bypass traditional platforms, and selective cultivation of media allies.

Examples of Media Influence:

• Fox News:

  • While generally supportive, Trump has attacked the network when coverage has not aligned with his messaging.

  • Despite tensions, Fox News continues to serve as a major platform for Trump-aligned narratives.

• Truth Social:

  • Launched by Trump to bypass traditional media and directly communicate with supporters.

  • Despite financial losses, it remains a core part of his media ecosystem.

Delegitimising Independent Journalism:

• Trump has frequently referred to journalists as the "enemy of the people."

• Reporters from CNN, NBC, and others have been publicly targeted, leading to real-world harassment and threats.

These efforts aim to create a loyalty-based media environment, where dissent is discredited, and favourable coverage is rewarded.

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Section 4: Parallels with Germany 1932

While Trump is not Hitler and the U.S. is not Weimar Germany, historians note key thematic similarities between Trump's tactics and conditions in Germany leading up to Hitler's rise in 1933.

Key Parallels:

Theme	Germany 1932	Trump Era
Populism & Nationalism	Nazis exploited German nationalism and resentment from WWI	Trump promoted "America First" and blamed immigrants and globalists
Scapegoating & Division	Jews and Communists blamed for Germany's decline	Immigrants, Democrats, and media blamed for U.S. problems
Attack on Free Press	Independent media dismantled, propaganda centralised	Trump repeatedly attacked media as "fake news" and the "enemy of the people"
Delegitimising Elections	Nazis claimed system was rigged; used crisis to seize power	Trump repeatedly claimed elections were stolen and sought to overturn results
Control & Loyalty	Hitler demanded loyalty from all institutions	Trump attacked judges, DOJ, and military officials who opposed him

While the outcomes differ, these similarities show how democratic erosion can occur incrementally through pressure, manipulation, and the undermining of institutional trust.

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Conclusion

Donald Trump's actions in targeting judges, leveraging tariffs to pressure companies, and shaping media narratives demonstrate a consistent pattern of consolidating influence through public pressure, economic manipulation, and institutional undermining. While not resulting in full authoritarian control, these tactics mirror historical authoritarian strategies and continue to have lasting implications on democratic norms and institutional trust.