When capitalism and authoritarianism merge under a single ruthless leader—the consequences are nothing short of staggering.
OPINION | SECTION
Trump: From the Boardroom to the Oval Office—How Authoritarian and Capitalist Traits Define Leadership at the Top: Especially when both are embodied in one person—Donald J. Trump
Whether in politics or business, Trump’s leadership demands focus and tight controls, plus a little confusion to keep adversaries off-balanced. The Trump authoritarian—rules through absolute power: silencing dissent and restricting freedoms. Similarly, Trump’s CEO-style of leadership mirrors this approach by exploiting centralized power, commanding loyalty, and intolerant of competition. In both realms, loyalty is demanded, and control is maintained through dominance rather than consensus.
By Bruce T. Osborne, Sr. | July 12, 2025
Some of Trump’s favorite friends say the person who won the presidency for a second term, is not the individual they have known for years. He has dramatically changed into someone they don’t know, or was he the same person and they were too close to recognize his flaws? Trump prior to becoming a politician, was a wealthy billionaire and a capitalist. As such, his mindset was always on money (greed), investing in trade and industry for profit as set-forth by the principals of capitalism.
He dominated over everyone inside of his corporate dynasty, treating them as second-class citizens in every way. Trump, the businessman, has been known to exploit workers, vendors, and resources by using the flaws within the corporate, federal, and state taxation systems. Whether Trump was right or wrong in business, he used his highly qualified lawyers to manipulate systems in his favor, thereby always looking like the master of brilliance and the ultimate negotiator. He always projected strength and an opponent that is unconquerable.
Donald J. Trump, a king in his own right. In the photo above, the then-businessman and real estate mogul stands tall over a few of his prized possessions, exuding power and control. He ruled/and rules his empire with the authority of a monarch, expecting unwavering loyalty and obedience to his every directive.
These were tricks, loopholes (a weak spot in a rule or system), and a business philosophy that Donald acquired early in his business career from his friend, lawyer, and mentor—Roy Cohn: a revered, ruthless, and trusted ally of businessman, Donald J. Trump. Mr. Cohn was an American attorney, known for being aggressive and confrontational. He is most notable for his prosecutorial work on the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg trial (1952-53), and as Senator Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during the Army vs. McCarthy hearings in 1954. McCarthy was suspected of being a communist. Roy was a courtroom bulldog, fighting vigorously to win every challenge he faced. Lawyers were petrified to come up against him.
How did BUSINESSMAN DONALD trump meet the infamous roy cohn, esq.
Was it the law of attraction at work, or fate? Donald Trump and his father, Fred were caught and in deep legal trouble for racial bias. Specifically, they refused to rent apartments to Blacks who applied to be a tenant in one of their many housing units.
The letter “C” was labeled on applications of African Americans—a code to refuse their request. It was outright racism. In particular, it was a discriminatory action prohibited by the Fair Housing Act—making it illegal to discriminate in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.
Trump’s lawyers suggested he settle the dispute and move on. However, Trump, firm in his stance, went in another direction. He heard about this champion of a lawyer in New York name Roy Cohn; a fierce and no nonsense attorney. Ecstatic about what he heard of Roy Cohn, Trump contacted him immediately and requested that he help resolve his race discrimination in housing dispute.
Cohn—a ruthless, aggressive, and unscrupulous attorney—began his career in government but later moved into private practice, becoming a prominent legal and political “fixer” in New York City. He (Roy Cohn) was feared by many who found themselves on the opposite side of the issue. He was just the type of warrior Trump needed, if he was to win his legal battle over allegations of housing discrimination of Black tenants.
As Donald Trump became more familiar with Roy and his methods, he became mesmerized by Cohn’s background and his advise—to fight the charges vigorously and deny everything—even if he knew charges to be right.
Trump, immediately hired Cohn as his attorney. Although, Trump lost the legal battle, his experience from the courtroom skirmish changed everything for him. (Trump saw that even though you may lose the battle, you can still win the war.) In spite of the fact that he lost the courtroom case against him, he felt vindicated in the court of public opinion. An idea he continues to cherish to this very day.
Many people who had admiration for Trump, felt he was unfairly targeted—giving Trump a glimmer of light of a much needed public victory. While, on the other hand, there were those who believed the legal matter highlighted a pattern of abuse and problematic behavior that was racist and orchestrated by a prominent real estate mogul—Donald J. Trump. It was an outcome that Donald continues to denies to this day.
This legal battle changed Trump’s path and his approach in his personal life, business, and now, in politics. Trump, realizing that everything depends on reputation, which is the cornerstone of power. He now believes he can do what he want. All he has to do is just take it to court and challenge the abuser(s)—never apologize for wrong doing and fight for public opinion.
Trump the businessman, immediately found out that public opinion can be more favorable and rewarding than the actual court verdict in a legal matter. It is an element he embraced fully and magnifies in all aspects of his life today. He didn’t just run his businesses, he embellished his name, reputation, and his legacy—The TRUMP Organization. He would not let anyone tarnish his business or personal image in anyway—fighting until he got the result he demanded.
The Trump Organization is a private conglomerate that serves as the umbrella for most of his business ventures and investments that covers real estates, hospitality, golf courses, and a multitude of other businesses.
Now as president of the United States of America, Trump upped his [business and political territory] to include not only efforts to dominate and control all of America but now as president—that of the entire world.
Trump has been a member of the royal dynasty as a king in his own right for years
Trump and him alone, dominates the news cycle. Every conversation seems to revolve around what’s next on his agenda: who’s next on his list of detractors or enemy list, what major executive order will he sign that could imperil innocent America citizens, or where will he bomb or impose tariffs because a country did not conform to his “Trumpian” demands?
As the old adage goes, “If he is not a king, it sure looks and sounds like he is America’s Monarch. As the saying goes: “if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck”—it must be a duck.
It suggest that Trump’s actions —and the public’s intense focus on him—elevate his every word and deed to the level of a king. It’s amplified by his constant news coverage and the authority seemingly granted to him by the “Supreme Court”—the highest court in the land whose decisions are final. All other courts, and the American citizens are left to not only follow the law—but increasingly Trump himself—regardless of how misdirected his leadership.
“WHEN ELECTING TRUMP AS PRESIDENT FOR A SECOND TERM, THE AMERICAN CITIZENS GOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU VOTED FOR, AS HE DID NOT HIDE. TRUMP WAS A TYRANT AS PRESIDENT AND CEO DURING HIS FIRST TERM AS PRESIDENT, AND NOW—IN HIS SECOND TERM—HE’S BIGGER AND MORE POWERFUL AS AMERICA’S PRESIDENT AND CHIEF TYRANNICAL RULER. TRUMP (BY ALL APPEARENCES) WEILDS ABSOLUTE POWER AND AUTHORITY IN A MANNER EXPECTED OF A TRUE AUTHORITARIAN. IT’S UNJUST, CRUEL, DEVISIVE, AND INTENTIONAL! ”
Capitalism and authoritarianism are often seen as opposing systems—one focused on centralized power and control, the other on individual economic freedom. However, they share several underlying similarities, particularly in how they structure and influence society.
Both systems can lead to significant power imbalances, where a small group of individuals or institutions hold disproportionate control. This is whether politically in authoritarianism or economically in capitalism. As the authoritarian and the autocratic capitalist/CEO are distinct systems, two can and apparently does coexist when associated with President Trump. For instance, it is the power dynamics within both systems in both a country and a company where leaders have significant power and authority over subordinates. When decisions are made by one person, absent shared perspectives, outcomes can led to serious negative effects on the people under their rule.
When there is an emphasis on “hierarchy and centralized authority”, especially in authoritarian type regimes, political power is concentrated in the hands of a leader or ruling elite, such as a king. In capitalist systems, particularly unregulated ones, economic power tends to concentrate among wealthy corporations or a business tycoon or a ruthless business magnate.
In both cases, an “Authoritarian or Autocratic Capitalist”, by their sheer levels of power and feelings of self-importance—limit the power of ordinary people by reducing the influence over decisions affecting their own lives. For me it never mattered, whether you used the term “he controlled or led his business” or “he reigned as in a monarch over the people”—it’s the same, just a matter of semantics. In other words, they both dominate you and guide your destiny absent your input.
Photo by Gautam Kishna
The name says it all—TRUMP. A symbol of grandeur and ostentatious living. built on a foundation that champions capitalism and greed, while casting shadows of destruction. It thrives on the exploitation of the disenfranchised, turning people into profit in a glided empire of extreme excess.
Another similarity is the use of control mechanisms to maintain the status quo. Authoritarian governments often employ censorship, surveillance, and propaganda to suppress dissent and promote [loyalty]. For Trump, loyalty was a major component in his decision to hire cabinet member and other staff within his administration: demanding one-hundred percent “blind” trust and dedication to “him and the actions he place before them (legal or illegal)!”
The capitalist system can deploy its own set of rigorous and unorthodox strategies to maintain an equilibrium and consensus among the people. They turn to things like advertising, media ownership and control, and consumerism to shape public opinion and reinforce existing power dynamics. Both, the capitalist and authoritarian, rely on systems of influence that keep their leaders, client followers, or royal dynasty members in dominant positions.
Both systems prioritize stability and growth over equity and justice. Authoritarian states may suppress freedoms in the name of order and national progress, while capitalist societies might accept inequality as a natural outcome of market forces.
THE TRUMP BRAND: a toxic and destabling political entity
Trump, the ultimate authoritarian and capitalist, ran a political campaign that led many to believe there would be a modest disruption in how the U.S. is governed. However, few expected Trump to turn America completely on its head. He entered his second term like a whirlwind—issuing numerous executive orders, revising and canceling old policies—some of which arguably violated the U.S. Constitution.
While his MAGA supporters believed these changes would work in their favor by concentrating power and placing the nation’s future in the hands of an all-white (male) population. Obviously, they failed to grasp a critical truth: capitalism coupled with authoritarian rule, doesn’t care about cultural loyalty—it lives for the almighty dollar and absolute [unshared] power.
These staunch Trumpian supporters soon discovered the hard way, that many of the social programs on Trump’s chopping block affect them directly. Many of Trump’s supporters are faced with significant tax increases, reduced or lost of healthcare coverage, cuts to SNAP assistance, and decreased welfare disbursements—all effecting them directly.
They (Trump’s avid MAGA Trumpian followers) should have known, CEO’s and authoritarians leaders often prioritize their maintaining power exclusively. It is a central feature of their power and control over the masses. (It should be noted that all CEO’s do not operate under this stringent rule—with many using the inverted pyramid—including input and shared ideas from a diverse staff and outside shareholders.)
Both, the “autocratic” Chief Executive Officer and the Authoritarian, demand unquestioning loyalty and obedience from all underlings. They disseminate information from top-down while they suppress or exclude challengers.
They may suppress the opposition’s dissent or attack their campaigns for trying to succeed them, while granting some freedoms to their constituents. However, at the end of the day, Capitalist and Authoritarians—don’t share power or status.
Trump’s business acumen allowed him to build a massive empire” The Trump Organization. His methods were at times… less than ethical. He ruled over his business in a way similar to Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company by concentrating power in order to maintain limited competition: which resembles the controls of an authoritarian.
Trump, the capitalist with authoritarian leanings, crushed competitors and manipulated markets—all to stay on top and be the only shining star in the business universe. He was trying to build a monopoly that would give him the same level of control as an authoritarian regime, even while serving as CEO of his own business empire. Now, as president of the world’s most powerful country, Trump has orchestrated an incredible feat—while prioritizing his own interest above all others, and doing so in broad daylight.
Even Elon Musk, the undisputed richest man in the world, whom allegedly, has an extremely high IQ, has fell victim to Trumpian rhetoric and political authoritarianism. Unfortunately, through Elon’s support of Trump, his policies, and the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has faced declining sales, falling stock values for his Tesla vehicles and other products and business ventures—along with widespread boycotts.
Elon Musk’s role as the head of DOGE was seen by many Americans as a right-wing political coup d’état. For his seemingly apparent part in the takeover of various governmental offices and the illegal firing of workers—to this very day, Musk continues to struggle as he fights back to win the trust of his once-loyal customer base. He has even established a third party—The America Party— to run against President Trump and his republicans/MAGA base.
“However, I personally believe Elon’s signing on to a third party is a ruse to split the vote in the upcoming midterm elections in 2026. The Trump brand has taken some negative hits and is losing steam. This may be a ploy to keep Trump—the capitalist and authoritarian in power.”