'Megalomaniac': Expert reveals what Trump has in common with failing authoritarian leaders

During an appearance on MSNBC’s "Deadline: White House," New York University professor and authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben‑Ghiat cautioned that President Donald Trump is exhibiting a “megalomaniac drive” rooted in ego and reinforced through a circle of loyalists in the wake of recent military action.

Ben‑Ghiat told host Nicolle Wallace that it was evident Trump had entered “the zone” before ordering the strike.
“In part, it’s about his ego. And I’ve actually been very worried. Before the strike took place, I saw him getting into… call it… being in the zone,” she said.

She contextualized this behavior within patterns typical of “strongman” leaders who, when sensing vulnerability, surround themselves with ally support.

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“When a strongman has had some setbacks and is feeling threatened, and yet has surrounded himself by loyalists… it’s very interesting that we’re now at 23 members of the administration who were on‑air talent at Fox News, and many of them have been hired for their ability to be loyal and say the truth as Donald Trump wants it to be heard.”

Ben‑Ghiat pointed to a notable contrast during a recent press briefing between two senior officials: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose loyalty to Trump aligned with the presidential narrative, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Caine, who adhered to traditional military professionalism.

“Secretary of Defense Hegseth meets those criteria, and then you had Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff… anchored in a military culture that respects professionalism, valor, and accurate information. And so he did not want to say the word ‘obliteration.’”

She warned that Trump’s deliberate adoption of rhetoric requiring perfection — such as insisting on a “perfect strike”—reveals his underlying drive:

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“To use his language—that it be a perfect strike — because he thought of it and he wanted it, it becomes this kind of megalomaniac drive.”

Ben‑Ghiat concluded that invoking such terminology is emblematic of authoritarian tendencies. She argued that by framing the military action in absolute, personal terms, Trump reinforces his need for ego validation and unwavering loyalty.

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