Digital Authoritarianism: How the Musk-Trump Presidency is Changing Democracy's Perception

This paper explores the rise of "digital authoritarianism" under the coalescing influence of influential leaders like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, who have introduced a new governance style that blends technological control with populist appeal. Their approach reflects a shift in democratic norms, employing digital platforms and technological power to influence public opinion, control narratives, and consolidate influence, thus reshaping public perception of democracy itself. By examining these phenomena, this paper aims to understand how the Musk-Trump era is subtly altering democratic values and paving the way for new models of governance that compromise traditional democratic ideals. The recent presidencies of influential figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump exemplify this shift. Although differing in backgrounds—one an entrepreneur-turned-technocrat, the other a former U.S. president—their alignment on issues of free speech, digital censorship, and public opinion control suggests a new model of governance that might signal the emergence of digital authoritarianism. This proposal seeks to investigate how these figures utilize technology to challenge traditional democratic norms and influence global perceptions of democracy. This paper builds on theories of digital authoritarianism, which suggest that authoritarian strategies can be applied in democratic contexts through the strategic use of technology. Prior literature has documented digital authoritarianism in countries like China and Russia, where leaders utilize digital surveillance and information control to maintain power. This proposal posits that Musk and Trump are employing a form of “soft authoritarianism” that uses the tools of digital platforms, algorithmic curation, and mass media influence to impact democratic institutions without overt suppression. Studies by Morozov and Zuboff provide frameworks for understanding the interplay between digital technology and authoritarianism, offering insights into how these leaders use social media platforms and influence public discourse. Methods: The proposed study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining discourse analysis of social media and public statements with case studies of key events in the Musk-Trump era, such as Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) and Trump’s Truth Social platform. These case studies will illustrate how digital platforms serve as tools for amplifying authoritarian tendencies. Additionally, sentiment analysis will be employed to gauge public responses to these leaders’ digital activities, providing insights into shifts in public perceptions of democracy. Expected Findings and Implications: This paper hypothesizes that the Musk-Trump presidency reflects a shift toward a new governance model where leaders leverage technology to bypass traditional democratic processes. Expected findings will likely show a normalization of digital authoritarianism within democratic societies, as public discourse is increasingly shaped by figures who use digital platforms to control narratives. This normalization could have profound implications for the future of democracy. Conclusion: The emergence of digital authoritarianism, championed by figures like Musk and Trump, represents a significant shift in democratic governance. This paper will contribute to the understanding of how influential leaders may use technology to reshape democratic principles and public expectations of governance.