Do you think Trump is an authoritarian?
Well in my lifetime these are the Authoritarian Presidents ...
Eisenhower - Yep! Definitely.
Kennedy - Absolutely!
Johnson - No doubt!
Nixon - Hell Yeah!
Ford - Not so sure?
Carter - Absolutely! As with Obama, he thought he could just tell others what to do.
Reagan - For sure, but middle of the road!
Bush Sr - Yes and from an administrative POV.
Clinton - Very forceful but knew when to compromise and negotiate. My Fav President of my lifetime ... so far.
Bush Jr - Very strong and assured authoritarian
Obama - IMO, the most Authoritarian President ... also see Carter.
Trump - Very definitely ... right there with Obama ...
don't see Carter!
Biden - So far, very authoritarian and erecting a very Centralized US Government.
If Trump were a socialist, would he therefore succeed?
Any of the last three Presidents would succumb to the power of a much stronger Executive branch!