ABSTRACT
Donald Trump is the first demagogue to be elected President of the United States. To be so labeled, a politician has to meet four criteria. First, he identifies as a man of the masses, usually by attacking elites. Second, he creates great waves of passion. Third, he uses that passion for political benefit. Fourth, he tests or breaks established rules of governance. Taken together, this approach enables the demagogue to create a state within a state—a massive cult—that follows him alone. As President, Trump’s vulgarity appeals to his base. His inflammatory rhetoric stirs their passions. In these regards he resembles other prominent American demagogues such as Louisiana Governor and U.S. Senator in the 1930s, Huey Long, Trump also uses many of the appeals that made former Alabama Governor, George Wallace, a rousing candidate for President in 1968. Donald Trump has just risen to a higher status than these two predecessors did.
