Autocrat School

Hungary’s strong-man ruler, Viktor Orban, visited the White House to tutor Trump in the art of converting a democracy into an autocracy. He praised Trump’s natural gift for demagoguery. Trump modestly said he had been inspired by Vladimir Putin, of course, but even more by Orban’s beautiful work in suppressing the free press in Hungary, banning a leading university, and making a lot of money on the side. Orban assured Trump that Trump was the greatest leader of modern times. What a coincidence! Kim Jong-un said exactly the same thing last time he and Trump met. 

Trump was buoyed by Orban’s visit and thrilled by Orban’s praise of him. Having your greatness recognized by a keen judge of character is the most satisfying thing in the world.