Trump’s Role in the Fall of the U.S. Empire
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 10 Feb 2025
David Adams | Transition to a Culture of Peace – TRANSCEND Media Service
1 Feb 2025 – Searching for an answer to the question “Which emperor contributed the most to the fall of the Roman Empire?” I found the following which is slightly abbreviated.
Quora response from Patrick S, student of Roman History
“Determining which emperor contributed the most to the fall of the Roman Empire is a complex task, as the decline was a gradual process influenced by various factors over centuries. However, one emperor often highlighted in discussions about the empire’s downfall is Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from 284 to 305 AD. . . .
“While Diocletian’s reforms had short-term successes, such as stabilizing the economy and increasing tax revenues, they also sowed the seeds of future issues. The heavy taxation necessary to support his military and administrative apparatus placed severe burdens on the populace and led to widespread discontent. His attempts to control prices through the Edict on Maximum Prices in 301 AD failed miserably, causing further economic turmoil instead of alleviating it.
“Moreover, Diocletian’s decision to establish the Tetrarchy—dividing rule among four co-emperors—was intended to provide more effective governance. However, this system ultimately contributed to fragmentation and civil conflict after his abdication. The lack of a clear succession plan led to power struggles among rival claimants, which weakened the central authority of the empire.
“Another critical factor was Diocletian’s focus on the East, where he believed the greatest threats lay. This shift in attention meant that the Western provinces were increasingly neglected, paving the way for barbarian invasions and internal revolts. The empire’s inability to effectively respond to these pressures was a direct result of the political divisions and weakened leadership established during his rule.
“Additionally, Diocletian is known for his persecution of Christians, which not only caused social strife but also alienated a significant portion of the population. . . .”
Here is a variant that may be written in a few years from now.
Determining which president contributed the most to the fall of the American Empire is a complex task, as the decline was a gradual process influenced by various factors over several decades. However, one president often highlighted in discussions about the empire’s downfall is President Trump, who ruled on and off from 2017 through 2025. . .
While Trump’s reforms had short-term successes, such as stabilizing the economy and increasing tax revenues, they also sowed the seeds of future issues. The heavy taxation necessary to support his military and administrative apparatus placed severe burdens on the populace and led to widespread discontent. (Since Trump reduced taxes on the rich, it required increased taxation of the working class).
Moreover, Trump’s decision to divide his rule among co-emperors (Elon Musk, etc.)—was intended to provide more effective governance. However, this system ultimately contributed to fragmentation and civil conflict after him. The lack of a clear succession plan led to power struggles among rival claimants, which weakened the central authority of the empire.
Another critical factor was Trump’s focus on the East (i.e. China), where he believed the greatest threats lay. This shift in attention meant that the West was increasingly neglected, paving the way for revolts. The empire’s inability to effectively respond to these pressures was a direct result of the political divisions and weakened leadership established during his rule.
Additionally, Trump is known for his persecution of immigrants, which not only caused social strife but also alienated a significant portion of the population.
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Dr. David Adams is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment and coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the UN International Year for the Culture of Peace. Previously, at Yale and Wesleyan Universities, he was a specialist on the brain mechanisms of aggressive behavior, the history of the culture of war, and the psychology of peace activists, and he helped to develop and publicize the Seville Statement on Violence. Send him an email.
Go to Original – decade-culture-of-peace.org
Tags: Roman empire, Trump, US empire
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