Nichols said the situation is particularly dangerous because “there is no one around” Trump to say “this isn't true or that's a bad idea.” “He now has become completely wrapped up in his own power and surrounded by people that are just footmen rather than advisors. Nichols said the unfortunate situation is a hallmark of other regimes, particularly Latin American dictatorships and the old Soviet bloc. Ben Rhodes spoke of the “human toll” of this problem as Trump seeks out targets to blame when his misinformed policies blow up in his face. Like this idea that like, ‘hey, we're going to go find some people to punish, to validate my theory of reality.’”