The Political Scene | The New Yorker Is Trump the Roman Tyrant America's Founders Feared?
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Aug 22, 2025 
Jeffrey Rosen, President and C.E.O. of the National Constitution Center and professor at George Washington University Law School, delves into the Founding Fathers' efforts to prevent tyranny in America. He draws parallels between Donald Trump's leadership style and Julius Caesar's, exploring the consequences of powerful figures on democracy. The discussion also highlights the Supreme Court's role in balancing executive power and raises alarms about historical insights from Rome, questioning the health of civic education and the rule of law in contemporary politics.
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Founders' Central Fear: An American Caesar
- The founders feared an American Caesar who would flatter the people to seize power.
- Hamilton warned demagogues could 'ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.'
Dinner That Revealed Rival Visions
- At a famous dinner, Hamilton and Jefferson clashed over who they admired most.
- Hamilton provocatively named Julius Caesar as the greatest man, unnerving Jefferson.
Adams Saw Oligarchy Breeding Demagogues
- John Adams feared aristocracy would harden into oligarchy and provoke a Caesar.
- He argued separation of powers must counterbalance aristocratic and popular forces.
