How Donald Trump and History Repeats

Before his rise to power, he became a beloved media person. Once he became the leader of his country, he immediately attacked the press, claiming he was engaged in “fake” or fake news. He demonized the New York Times. The New York Times demonized a publication that was one of several publications that he actively wrote about him in his rise. He attacked individual reporters and publicly expelled them.

He broke with his traditional allies and aligned himself with Russia. He began to support his former enemies of his country. He praised those who served the Soviet KGB. He supported him, promoted and praised the militant groups who attacked and threatened those who opposed his politics. He overlooked their violent activities against the people as their actions fell into his interests. He told them to stand ready to protect him. He began to isolate himself and his country from much of the world. He considered the North Korean prime minister to be his friend.

He attacked judges who failed to make decisions according to his plan, and ultimately attacked the Supreme Court, which repeatedly ruled his support. He imposed tariffs that had a negative impact on the economy. He lied in a public speech about the state of his country, his economy, and the health and welfare of his people. He constantly wrote and spoke about perceived mistakes made on him in the past, disguised people about statistics from past economic times, criticised the former president for what was still wrong with his rule, demanding prosecution of those who opposed him or did something wrong in his mind. He armed the law enforcement agencies against imaginary enemies to reach those who challenged him. The only qualification required to be appointed to the political position of his government was his loyalty to him.

He split his people and drew strength from the fact that one brother played against another in a cult atmosphere that infected his followers. He did not promote national unity, but instead disciplined those who opposed him and only praised those who agreed with him. During some of his speeches, he pointed out with great pride that he could execute his husband and that the widow could still support him.

He ordered a considerable number of people living in the country to leave, calling criminals, “Escoria” and “Gusanos.” But he has always promised that he will make his country great again.

His name was Fidel Castro. When he died, history did not exempt him as he wrote in his book, but instead characterized him as one of the most evil dictators and demagogues of all time. The damage he did was corrected for generations and Cuba was never the same. History repeats itself.

Ralph Fernandez is a longtime Tampa lawyer, representing Cuban exiles in court and an advisor to the World Federation of former Cuban political prisoners.