President Donald Trump has been privately describing himself as the most powerful person in history, according to allies cited in a new report. The president, who has never been known for modesty, has in recent days begun speaking about himself as a figure of all-time historical power, a confidant told The Atlantic.
“He’s been talking recently about how he is the most powerful person to ever live,” the confidant said. “He wants to be remembered as the one who did things that other people couldn’t do, because of his sheer power and force of will.” An administration official added: “He is unburdened by political concerns and is able to do what is truly right rather than what is in his best political interests. Hence the decision to strike Iran.”
The president has pushed the boundaries of legality in the US while making unilateral gambles on the world stage, including threatening a takeover of Greenland, kidnapping the leader of Venezuela, and launching a war with Iran. He has also sought to leave his aesthetic mark across the country, from giant banners on government agencies to remodelling the White House East Wing into a ballroom. Critics have compared these gestures to image-obsessed autocratic regimes.
Trump has at times referred to himself as a king, including during King Charles III’s visit to Washington, and has mused about running for an unconstitutional third term. His imperious attitude has inspired mass “No Kings” protests. However, limits have emerged: his party is expected to lose at least one house of Congress in the midterms, his immigration crackdown has faced legal setbacks, and the war in Iran has not gone as planned, with no agreement to end the conflict and estrangement from European allies.
