Trump's publisher warns of authoritarian tactics to intensify press attacks during his second term.

A.G. Sulzberger, publisher of the New York Times, cautioned that if former President Trump returns to the White House, he may employ authoritarian tactics to undermine the press.

In a column published in The Washington Post on Thursday, Sulzberger discussed how authoritarian leaders worldwide have managed to suppress the media, reducing oversight of their power. He then pondered whether Trump may consider adopting these tactics when he regains the presidency.

The publisher stated that it is not an unreasonable question. Former president Donald Trump and his supporters have announced their plan to intensify their criticism of the press, which he has consistently referred to as "the enemy of the people."

Viktor Orbán's playbook for silencing media critics was detailed by Sulzberger.

The former leader, who had been out of power for several years, was returned to office on a populist platform. He attributed his previous defeat to the news media's coverage of his government, which he believed was biased and inaccurate. He believed that tolerating an independent press, which prioritized truth-telling and accountability, weakened his ability to sway public opinion. This time, he vowed not to make the same mistake.

Sulzberger pointed out that a leader who undermines the press in a democracy would use bureaucratic tools such as tax law, broadcast licensing, and government contracting to do so, while also rewarding friendly outlets with state advertising revenue, tax exemptions, and other government subsidies.

"Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, effectively dismantled the news media in his country within a few years, leaving only pockets of independence, according to the publisher."

He argued that a weakened press allowed him to maintain secrecy, manipulate reality, attack political opponents, act without consequences, and ultimately amass unchecked power.

Trump's anti-press rhetoric, which contributed to a surge in anti-press sentiment, had quietly shifted into anti-press action by the end of his first term, according to Sulzberger.

The Trump administration's fondness for Orban was cited as evidence of their commitment to a similar scheme.

He wrote that his efforts would likely be influenced by his open admiration for the ruthlessly effective playbook of authoritarians such as Orban, whom Trump recently met with at Mar-a-Lago and praised as 'a smart, strong, and compassionate leader'.

The Times publisher has pledged to uphold neutrality and not support Trump's re-election, while also speaking out against threats to the free press, as previous leaders of the paper have done.

He contended that Trump has provided authoritarians with "encouragement" to attack the press.

"Since Donald Trump popularized the term "fake news" to attack journalism that challenged him, many authoritarians have been emboldened to enact "fake news" laws in 70 countries across six continents, as stated by Sulzberger."

Despite their often contentious relationships with the press, many U.S. presidents, both Democratic and Republican, have consistently defended and expanded protections for journalists.

Trump is the only U.S. leader in 100 years who has actively worked to undermine the free press, according to him.