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No President prior to Trump threatens individuals with punishment by the government for voicing their beliefs.
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No President prior to Trump threatens news media with punishment by the government for voicing their beliefs.
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No President prior to Trump used extortion so much to bend businesses to do his will:
Specific Examples
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2025.5.19 Verizon ends DEI to acquisition allowed
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2025.3.24 - President getting involved in state politics:
- Donald Trump has encouraged his supporters to “swamp the vote” for an open seat on Wisconsin’s state supreme court. Groups related to Elon Musk, Mr Trump’s close ally, have spent more than $13m on the race; last week one offered $100 to anyone who signed a petition against activist judges. By one tally candidates and their backers have spent $76m already, breaking a record for state supreme court races set the last time Wisconsinites elected a justice.
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2025.3.24 - Using Threats against states
- Mr Trump demanded a “full-throated” apology from Janet Mills, the Democratic governor of Maine, and a promise to never make an “unlawful challenge” to the federal government. The two had a row last month, during which Mr Trump threatened to withhold funding for the state if it refused to ban trans women from women’s sport; Ms Mills replied, “We’ll see you in court.” Several federal-government departments are now investigating Maine.