Hundreds of scholars say that Trump is the new Mussolini

Many American university professors are warning that fear of government retribution is spreading through society under President Donald Trump’s administration. A key survey called Bright Line Watch showed a significant drop in the rating of American democracy from 67 to 55 just a few weeks into Trump’s second term. Professors expressed concerns over the president’s attempts to expand executive power, with some suggesting the U.S. has already slid into some form of authoritarianism. Researchers and journalists have drawn parallels between Trump’s style of governance and that of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, highlighting concerns about the direction of American democracy.