Everything Is Content for the ‘Clicktatorship’

New York: President Donald Trump’s second term is very much focused on social media. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shares videos of immigration raids on X, and conspiracy theories influence how policies are made. Trump and his supporters have used misinformation to gain attention and control discussions online.

Don Moynihan, a University of Michigan professor, says right-wing social media is now key for Trump. His decisions and policies reflect what online communities want, even if those ideas aren’t true. In a new term called “clicktatorship,” the internet and politics mix deeply.

Moynihan explains that a clicktatorship combines social media habits with authoritarian leadership. This means officials decide based on how things look online rather than reality. Policies and actions, from military presence in cities to cutting resources in certain states, show this shift.

The first Trump term might be called a “TV presidency,” where watching shows like The Apprentice helped explain his actions. Now, it’s the “Truth Social or X presidency,” relying heavily on online language and references. Many officials adapt their behavior to fit online discourse, sometimes missing traditional accountability.

Much research shows the damaging effects of social media. It raises questions about what it means when political leaders have mastered social media but also become influenced by it.