Overview

• Lee Morgenbesser, a comparative politics professor, argues Trump’s recent behavior aligns less with a deliberate authoritarian blueprint and more with a deteriorating leader figure.
• He cites public slips such as mixing up Afghanistan, Alaska and Russia, misnaming Tim Cook as “Tim Apple,” and referring to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as “Kristi Whitmer.”
• The professor points to other signs like claiming to run against Barack Obama, invoking an uncle’s link to the Unabomber, embracing a nonlinear speaking style he calls “the weave,” and lengthy rally pauses.
• Morgenbesser says the “collective Trump” of appointees, aides, and allies can still dismantle guardrails and implement far-reaching measures even if the president’s own capacity is diminished.
• He adds that Trump’s age and health may further limit his mental robustness, while stressing the analysis is interpretive commentary reported in The Bulwark and cited by Alternet.