The authors of "How Democracies Die," Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, express deep concern about the potential consequences of Donald Trump facing a significant crisis, such as war or a terrorist attack. They argue that Trump could use such events to further his political agenda, targeting opponents and diminishing civil liberties. This concern highlights the vulnerability of American democracy when faced with leaders who may exploit crises for personal or political gain.

Levitsky and Ziblatt emphasize that this scenario poses a severe threat to democratic principles and the freedoms that Americans cherish. The possibility that a political leader might manipulate a national emergency to consolidate power and undermine democratic norms raises alarms about the resilience of democratic institutions in times of turmoil. This warning serves as a call for vigilance in preserving democracy against authoritarian tendencies.