You’re kinda arguing my point tho, so maybe I didn’t communicate it very well.

If a character such as Trump gaining power can be considered a symptom, then the conditions that allow it is the disease. I.e. the points you make, with news networks not beholden to facts, lack of education and critical thought.

All of this is what I would argue is the underlying cause and conditions that are fertile grounds for populists. Also, just a little reminder that Hitler first succeeded on his second attempt at becoming a dictator. And unlike in the US, he was imprisoned for the first attempt.