The article discusses how various political leaders like Putin, Orban, Modi, and Erdogan have sought to undermine democracy by attacking independent information sources. These leaders target judges, government agencies, and media, with a particular focus on higher education, as they recognize that empirical truth can threaten their authority. Trump's actions are compared to these leaders, highlighting attempts to limit dissent, control media narratives, and cut resources to universities, reflecting a broader strategy to undermine democratic institutions.
Mr. Trump's multifaceted campaign against higher education is core to this effort to weaken institutions that do not parrot his version of reality.
Academic researchers are supposed to pursue the truth, and budding autocrats recognize that empirical truth can present a threat to their authority.
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