Similarities of Trump and Duterte
Their similarities are uncanny. They speak with the same bombast, they make unreal promises, they turn friends into enemies and enemies into friends, they’re allergic to criticism, and they have no qualms about abusing laws and violating their country’s constitution. They’re none other than United States President Donald Trump and former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte.
During the 2016 election campaign, Duterte made two promises to the Filipino electorate: he would end the drug menace in six months and he would ride a jet ski to the Spratly Islands and plant a Philippine flag there. In his 2024 campaign for the US presidency, Trump made two pledges to the American people: “When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One” and “Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled,” even emphasizing that “I will get it settled before I even become president.” All these promises by both presidents were not fulfilled, but the fact that they were made and were relied upon by the electorate, helped both Trump and Duterte get elected to the presidency of their respective countries.
During his term, Duterte repeatedly bad-mouthed the Philippines’ longtime ally, the US. He called then US President Barack Obama a “(s)on of a whore” and even told the latter to “go to hell.” In contrast, he expressed admiration for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin, declaring that “my favorite hero is Putin” and even calling him his “idol.” Duterte expressed similar admiration for the leader of his country’s erstwhile nemesis, mainland China’s President, by declaring “I just simply love Xi Jinping.” For his part, Trump has praised China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and even North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un. He has falsely accused Ukraine of starting its war with Russia and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator,” a description he refused to use on Putin. In the 2024 campaign trail, he said that he “encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want” in Europe, by way of response to Nato members who do not pay their contributions.
Duterte withdrew Philippine membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC) when the latter started investigating potential crimes against humanity committed during his bloody war on drugs. Duterte called the ICC “a bunch of criminals,” “bullshits,” and “idiots.” On the other hand, Trump has issued an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC, accusing the organization of engaging in “illegitimate and baseless actions” targeting the US and its ally, Israel.
Duterte mounted a so-called war against illegal drugs, resulting in the death of tens of thousands, the detention of hundreds of thousands, and other innumerable human rights violations. Duterte lumped all drug personalities, even mere petty users, as violent criminals who commit murder, rape, robbery, and other serious crimes. On the other hand, Trump is waging a war against illegal immigrants. His administration’s official policy is to consider all undocumented immigrants as criminals. Trump has described undocumented immigrants with dehumanizing terminology, calling them “animals” and accusing them of “poisoning the blood of our country.” Under Trump, the US has started deporting planeloads of undocumented immigrants and he’s considering a huge detention facility for them in Guantanamo, Cuba.
The electoral triumphs of both Trump and Duterte were boosted by online misinformation and manipulation. Troll armies or online influencers who spread disinformation and fake news have been supportive of the two. Both Trump and Duterte have repeatedly attacked mainstream media for criticisms against them. Duterte banned Rappler journalists from entering Malacañang Palace, while Trump has banned the Associated Press from the White House. Both Duterte and Trump have flaunted their countries’ respective laws and constitutions by abusing their executive powers. During his presidency, Duterte violated the citizens’ bill of rights with the many extrajudicial killings, illegal searches and arrests, and unlawful detention committed upon his directives or encouragement. For his part, Trump issued a “blatantly unconstitutional” executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship for those who are born on US soil. He has also infringed on legislative powers over the budget by freezing funds appropriated by Congress.
Their style of leadership, demeanor, language, and beliefs are alike. It’s as if Trump and Duterte came out of the same womb. An increasing number of countries are giving birth to leaders of their kind. Dark clouds are gathering on the horizon for the whole world.
—————
Comments to fleamarketofideas@gmail.com
