Legendary chess champion Garry Kasparov just warned the American people of the moves Donald Trump is taking to make America look more like Russia under Vladimir Putin.
As a Russian citizen, Kasparov knows exactly what Russia has become under Putin. He watched as Putin attacked democratic institutions and slowly became what amounts to a dictator after the nation spent years trying to move away from tyrannical communist leaders.
During the 2016 Election, Kasparov was critical of Trump for praising Putin.
As we all know, Russia interfered with the 2016 Election to help Trump win. That’s a fact backed up by our own intelligence agencies and those of our allies.
But Trump refuses to believe the evidence and continues to seek closer relations with Putin all while appeasing him along the way.
And throughout his first year in office, Trump has attacked our institutions, which Kasparov warns is just another step Trump is taking to turn America into a version of Putin’s Russia.
Since the start of his campaign, Trump has dedicated himself to attacking defining American institutions: electoral system, free press, separation of powers, law enforcement.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
Indeed, Trump frequently attacks the media and once called the free press, the enemy of the American people, and has since attacked the FBI and Justice Department while gutting the State Department. Trump’s attacks on the judiciary have been particularly alarming as he seems to think the judicial branch exists to do his bidding.
Kasparov also pointed out that wannabe dictators also attack the truth and constantly lie to divide.
Every one of these moves has been under the cover of the autocratic attack on the objective truth. Lying constantly while attacking his targets for lying, for “fake news”, for treasonous behavior.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
This method has served another end, perhaps the greater goal, of splitting the US even more deeply, a division that makes recovery from other attacks much harder.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
This is true, of course. Even when the facts are right there for all to see, Trump denies them. Trump’s lies have been so numerous that there is literally a long list.
Kasparov continued by explaining that Trump’s rhetoric and that of his propaganda machine is “numbing” people to his extremism.
The escalation of rhetoric to dictatorial extremes has a numbing effect. Terms like “enemies of the people”, “coup” and “treason”. When actual enemies, real treason, are exposed, they’ve already been used up, discredited.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
It also requires stronger doses each time to achieve the same impact, the distraction, the clicks, the outrage. The media reaction of amplifying each time more than the last makes it worse.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
Fox News recently claimed that Mueller’s investigation is nothing more than a “coup” against Trump. Such dangerous language is right in line with Trump’s rhetoric.
To conclude, Kasparov warned Americans that Trump is attacking our democratic institutions just like Putin did and urged immediate action to stop him before it is too late.
Democratic govt is based on institutions. If someone is attacking those institutions instead of strengthening them, it’s time to pick a side. Rule of law or by strongman? Rule of institutions or of tribe? The history of making the wrong choice here is clear.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
We chose wrong and failed democracy in Russia. We failed by choosing a man, even a decent man, Yeltsin, over strong democratic institutions. We paid for it with Putin, and are still paying for it, as is everyone else.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
Even if you like Trump, or tolerate him for what you think he can do for you or your cause, you are choosing against those American institutions. If you think they are broken, fix them, don’t help Trump destroy them. Choose.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 17, 2017
Trump supporters have already made their allegiance clear. They are loyal to Trump, and they approve of Putin. The majority of Americans, however, have been resisting Trump’s effort to undermine our democracy and Constitution. The question is, what are Americans willing to do if Trump succeeds?
The right to vote is a democratic institution that Republicans have been attacking for years now, and they are stepping up their effort in preparation for 2018 and 2020. These elections might be the last chances Americans have to end Trump once and for all unless Mueller’s investigation busts him for obstructing justice and colluding with Russia.
Donald Trump wants to be a dictator. He thinks the government revolves around him and he thinks the institutions we hold so dear only exist to help him and advance his agenda. He doesn’t give a damn about our country and our constitutional values. He only cares about himself and his power. To that end, he is using Putin’s playbook.
Featured Image: YouTube screenshot
