‘In a real sense, US democracy has died’: how Trump is emulating Hungary’s Orbán

Trump has moved to gut the federal government, fire critics and reward allies - a path similar to would-be dictators' like Orban, experts say

A pitiless crackdown on on illegal immigration. A hardline approach to law and order. A purge of gender ideology" and wokeness" from the nation's schools. Erosions of academic freedom, judicial independence and the free press. An alliance with Christian nationalism. An assault on democratic institutions.

The electoral autocracy" that is Viktor Orban's Hungary has been long revered by Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again" (Maga) movement. Now admiration is turning into emulation. In the early weeks of Trump's second term as US president, analysts say, there are alarming signs that the Orbanisation of America has begun.