The Trump administration engaged in tactics aimed at undermining influential figures within the political landscape. President Trump's frequent and aggressive verbal assaults on media critics illustrate this approach. By labeling prominent outlets like the New York Times and CNN as "fake news," he positioned these organizations as adversaries, seeking to discredit their credibility.

This strategy draws parallels to authoritarian regimes, where leaders often delegitimize their opponents and the press. Such rhetoric not only serves to rally supporters but also seeks to diminish scrutiny and maintain control over the narrative, reflecting concerns discussed in Steven Levitsky's book, "How Democracies Die."