Bossange: Reflections from living under a dictatorship 50 years ago

June 8, 2026  |  By John Bossange

Life today in America is reminding me of my years in Brazil, where I lived in the late 1970s.  I worked for an international school and resided in a village just outside of Rio de Janeiro.  I was fortunate to make many Brazilian friends and enjoyed socializing with Brazilian families, participating in their local customs, and experiencing their cultural traditions.

At the time, Brazil was a country under the military dictatorship of General Ernesto Geisel and characterized by state-sponsored violence, pervasive censorship and political oppression. America is not there yet, but the winds blowing from the Trump administration and the MAGA cult, guided by the Heritage Foundation’s playbook, combined with the increasingly harsh words and actions from an emboldened President Trump, should alarm Americans and make them wonder what’s coming next.  But like my Brazilian friends, many Americans are keeping their heads down, living their lives as if all is well, and waiting out the storm.

In Brazil, there were four general areas that defined political life: state oppression, systematic censorship, changes undermining the constitution, and economic propaganda of all kinds.  Sound familiar?  It should. We can already see signs of similar changes beginning to grow and wreak havoc in America.

In America today, is there state oppression?  

The war on immigration using ICE and the creation of detention centers, the repeal of the Voting Rights Act impacting Black America in particular, and the use of social media to neutralize resistance movements are clear evidence that the pathways for oppression are happening. President Trump’s reliance on his own Truth Social platform has allowed him to control his messaging to solidify his base, create a state of fear, and increase the perception of his immunity and position of power.

Is there systematic censorship? 

The attack on commercial television media (ABC), ending support for PBS and NPR, the assault on the press such as The New York Times, universities such as Harvard, and banning certain books from schools and libraries are some of the clearest examples of censorship occurring right now.  We are witnessing these acts every day, as towns, counties, and states loyal to the president are creating their own censorship lists, often with the support of Christian Nationalists. Censoring the truth about what we witnessed with our own eyes on January 6, 2021, might be the most insulting example of censorship.

Have there been changes to undermine our Constitution?  

Consider the Supreme Court’s decisions on the Voting Rights Act, Citizens United, and presidential immunity. These three monumental actions have created the legal pathway for a dictatorship, placing the President above the law and giving him vast power to control America’s resources and government.

With the lower-court appointments of 269 Trump loyalists and 28 Republican-controlled state legislatures, the president now has broad legal and legislative power.  He has moved forward with more restrictive and oppressive acts, such as undermining democratic election norms and human rights violations in immigration policies.  He has severed foreign policy alliances with NATO and ended the Iran Nuclear Deal, ordered environmental deregulation by rolling back the Clean Power Plan,and reduced funding for climate mitigation plans, eliminated the Inspectors General’s Office, and forced tariffs on global trading partners and U.S. allies, to cite just a few executive actions.

Finally, are we witnessing displays of economic propaganda?  

President Trump continues to promote a strong economy citing high stock market valuations.  Yet the rising costs of groceries, gas, utilities, and increasing inflation are pressing concerns for most Americans.  The president mocks these concerns as “a Democratic hoax,” and has publicly stated,  “I couldn't care less about these domestic issues right now.”

This economic stress is exacerbated by the unwise use of tariffs driving up the everyday cost of living expenses, by massive tax cuts for the super-wealthy, combined with the Iran war the president launched in the Middle East, costing the nation $1 billion a day. So far, that has increased the nation’s debt to historic levels. 

It’s virtually impossible now to pay for food, utilities, gas, and housing in a nation that is primarily serving the interests of the wealthy and ultra-wealthy individuals and families who do not feel our economic pain. Trump’s economic propaganda is offensive and will not erase this reality.

So, how did my Brazilian friends actually live under a dictatorship?   They kept their heads down for a long time. Their dictatorship was more military in nature, but once established, they were willing to tolerate the culture of repression, censorship, institutional law change, and economic propaganda.  

Are Americans doing the same? Yes, but I believe many of us are now realizing that we have been taken for a ride by President Trump, sold by lies and falsehoods created by wealthy billionaires and slick, media-savvy organizations such as the Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, and others on the ultra-right wing. 

As the arrogant president, his family, and wealthy friends cash in on the position of power of the presidency, Americans can see the truth.  We will resist living under a controlling oligarchy just as my Brazilian friends did when they eventually rose up against Brazil’s political corruption, oppression, a rigged economy, censorship, and economic injustice. Forty years ago, they finally ended their dictatorship. Forty years later, Americans will now do the same.  

We must remember this is not just about opposing President Trump. At some point, he will be gone. This is also a battle against those MAGA anarchists who will still be here, well-funded, and committed to their long-range goal of destroying the government of America. 

That should be alarming.  Find your way to resist.

John Bossange is a retired Vermont middle school principal who now serves on multiple non-profit boards in the Burlington area. He lives in South Burlington.