He is unilaterally (and likely illegally) sabotaging the economy, openly blackmailing corporations and state governments by threatening to withhold media licenses and merger approvals, withholding federal funds, and and now shutting down the government. Much of Trump’s power is illusory. Even MAGA voters have taken notice, and Trump’s handling of the economy is deeply underwater with voters. A coalition of blue state governments has been successfully defending their constituents via lawsuits and mutual aid actions. Trump’s power is, in many ways, an illusory projection based on our democracy’s willingness to acquiesce.