Since beginning his second term, President Donald Trump has repeatedly deployed conspiratorial attacks against his critics and adversaries, mocking their views and labeling them as hoaxes, The Guardian reported. Experts and legal scholars say these actions are a hallmark of authoritarian leadership, eroding trust in the upcoming midterm elections, ignoring scientific evidence, and pressuring prosecutors to target political enemies in ways that undermine civil liberties.
The report cites critics who warn that Trump's extensive use of conspiracy theories could have lasting effects on American democracy. The pattern of attacks, they argue, threatens public health and science, while dangerously weakening faith in electoral processes. The article notes that the attacks represent what some describe as “page one of a repressive playbook.”
No direct quotes from the president or his administration were included in the report. The Guardian article, published October 1, 2026, relies on the assessments of scholars and legal experts who have tracked Trump’s rhetoric during his second term.