Why a second Trump term is a mortal threat to democracy — though perhaps not the way you think.

Summary

The 2024 election is depicted as a critical juncture for American democracy, likened to a fragile Jenga tower where each removed piece makes the base more unstable.

If re-elected, Trump is expected to follow an “Orbánist” approach, systematically eroding democratic institutions through Project 2025—a plan designed to consolidate power by reshaping government agencies and replacing nonpartisan civil servants with loyalists.

Unlike his chaotic first term, his team now has a deliberate strategy to weaken governance, risking increased polarization, diminished public trust, and potential political instability.