The aspiring authoritarian who currently occupies the White House, Donald Trump, appears to be determined to certify his role as America’s first dictator in the minds of the American people. It’s a role that he has coveted from the earliest days of his political career. So much so that he attempted to violently cling to power at the end of his first term.

Click here to post this article on Twitter or Click here to post on Bluesky

And Trump is not retreating from that stance. Whether it’s by unconstitutional declarations of war, deporting immigrants (including citizens) to foreign gulags, imposing tariffs (aka taxes) on international allies, or deploying soldiers into American cities to suppress lawful dissent, Trump is checking every box for a committed totalitarian tyrant. Even to the point of suggesting the cancelation of upcoming elections…

SEE THIS: Trump Whines That He Has ‘Accomplished So Much’ That ‘We Shouldn’t Even Have An Election’

High on Trump’s autocratic agenda is his craving to control the media. He has sought to achieve that goal through intimidation and threats of sabotaging the business prospects of any media enterprise that doesn’t kneel before him. And he is convinced that he has powers to force the press to obey his every demand.

For example, on Sunday morning Trump posted a comment on his dedicated propaganda platform, Truth Social, that is evidence of his dastardly schemes. He commanded that American television networks submit to his will with regard to what they air and when…

“The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor! This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!

“Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!! […] Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets.”

WANNABE DICTATOR TRUMP thinks that he can order TV networks what they must broadcast and when by executive order.HE CAN'T! This is just more cranky babbling from a whiny, emotionally stunted, crybaby, seeking attention.

— News Corpse (@newscorpse.bsky.social) 2026-01-18T11:37:05.461Z

Trump’s characterization of the Army-navy football game is cartoonish in its depth, or lack thereof. It is hardly a beacon of “Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor.” It’s freakin’ sporting event. And why Trump thinks that it has more significance than the college bowls that are played at the same time of year is a mystery that only his dementia can explain.

More to the point, Trump is assuming a ridiculous degree of authority over the television scheduling of these games. In a fair and free media marketplace, the networks would have the right to make those decisions on their own, based on popularity and potential advertising revenue. You know, like in a capitalist country that isn’t subjugated to a fascist overlord.

Trump’s threat to sign an executive order mandating his programming demands is as far outside of his duties as president as it can get. Not only is this none of his business, or the business of government, but his order has no legal force and the networks are free to ignore it. The only thing “Historic” about it is its unprecedented breach of constitutional law. So Trump can say that his order will “serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks,” all he wants. He has no authority to enforce it.

Unfortunately, Trump’s designs on American culture have been carried out even when his authority to do so is nonexistent. He has already assumed control of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution. And his influence there has been a grotesque change of course to unflinching Trump worship. Now he’s advancing on television.

The problem with regard to TV is that some of the networks have already demonstrated their weakness, greed, and un-Americanism, by bowing down to Trump. That’s particularly true of CBS, whose new corporate bosses have disgraced themselves by bending their reporting to Trump’s liking. And coincidentally, CBS has been the exclusive broadcast home for the Army-Navy football game since 1996. Is Trump trying to reward them for their gross sycophancy?

The danger here is the if Trump gets away with dictating what TV networks are allowed to air and when in this case, what’s to stop him from making similar demands in any other cases? He will surely want to test his powers to cancel programs he doesn’t like, force the airing of flattering propaganda, and to prevent any programs from competing with shows that he wants the nation to watch.

Is that the kind of television fare that the American people want? Because if Trump gets his way, that’s what they’ll get. Therefore, nobody should watch anything on any network that capitulates to Trump. THAT is the American way!

RELATED STORIES:

• Trump Escalates His Threat to Take Greenland By Force in an Absolutely Insane Truth Social Rant
• Herr Trump Is Trying to Quash the Netflix Deal to Buy Warner Bros as a Favor to His Oligarch Pals
• Paramount Caves to Trump’s Extortion, Disgraces CBS, Pays a $16M Bribe to Settle a Bogus Lawsuit

Be sure to visit and follow News Corpse
on Twitter and Facebook and Bluesky and Threads.

And check out my books on Amazon:

Fox Nation vs. Reality:
The Fox News Cult of Ignorance.

Thanks so much for your support.