Most of HN is probably too young to remember him, but Trump seems closer to Putin's predecessor Boris Yeltsin from 30 years ago. They have flamboyant and unpredictable public personas in common. Yeltsin also loved public performances, media attention, and direct engagement with large crowds. He often made chaotic decisions based on gut feeling and instincts rather than any clear strategy. Over time, alcoholism made Yeltsin increasingly dysfunctional. His health deteriorated and he was frequently absent. His inner circle, which included powerful billionaires, selected a reliable young successor to maintain their grip and negotiated Yeltsin's resignation in exchange for legal immunity for himself and his family. That successor was Vladimir Putin, a relatively unknown and bureaucratic head of Russia's version of the CIA/FBI. Once in power, Putin systematically outmaneuvered those billionaires who had expected him to be loyal, and played them against each other to gain absolute personal control over the country.
Trump is a known quantity. His destructiveness is limited by his inability to maintain focus. I'd be much more worried about who follows him. Will they represent a return to decency, or will it be someone just as destructive but far more disciplined - like Putin?
TBH, I am one of those people that's a little too young to remember Yeltsin. I know him generally, but wasn't aware of the direct through line to Putin. Overall, that's a pretty sobering analysis.
Trump is a known quantity. His destructiveness is limited by his inability to maintain focus. I'd be much more worried about who follows him. Will they represent a return to decency, or will it be someone just as destructive but far more disciplined - like Putin?