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This Isn’t Just About Trump: Why Authoritarianism Thrives on Public Apathy

Authoritarianism doesn’t need your support. It just needs you to stop paying attention.

3 min readJun 16, 2025

This Isn’t Just About Trump: Why Authoritarianism Thrives on Public Apathy

It’s tempting to believe that if we just tune out Trump, the chaos will die down on its own.

The tantrums, the scandals, the headline-choking narcissism… it’s exhausting. And after years of the same show, who can blame anyone for wanting to unplug?

But here’s the danger: apathy isn’t neutrality. It’s surrender.

And that’s exactly what authoritarianism feeds on—not just loud supporters, but the silence of everyone else.

“I’m Just Tired of Politics” Is Exactly the Point

When institutions are being dismantled, facts are under attack, and the rule of law is treated like a nuisance, tuning out becomes more than self-care—it becomes complicity.

Authoritarians thrive not just by consolidating power but by wearing down the public’s will to resist.

It’s not just Trump’s antics that are the problem. It’s the creeping belief that…

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Libby Winkler
Libby Winkler

Written by Libby Winkler

Freelance writer who loves exploring the messiness of humanity, while poking around in nooks of life and shining light on all the things that make us complex..

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