Jewish Culture

What If America Became the USSR? The Illusion and the Hard Landing

J.D. Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate and vice president, has made no secret of his admiration for Vladimir Putin. From wearing Soviet-themed T-shirts to praising the Russian model of governance, he embodies a growing faction of the American right that romanticizes authoritarian rule. They view the USSR’s legacy not as a cautionary tale but as a blueprint for an America where the government exerts absolute control, cracks down on opposition, and enforces rigid social order.

But what if the U.S. actually tried to become the Soviet Union? If America fully embraced the USSR experiment, seduced by the attractive packaging—social equality, free healthcare, military might—what would follow? Would it be a utopia of order and prosperity, or a catastrophic freefall into totalitarian rule, economic collapse, and mass oppression?

The answer lies in history, and history suggests a hard landing

The Illusion of a Benevolent Dictatorship: Trump’s Fascination with Authoritarian Power and His Self-Coronation Fantasy

Donald Trump has long expressed admiration for strongman leaders. From Vladimir Putin to Kim Jong-un, he has openly praised autocrats for their ability to rule without the checks and balances of democratic institutions. Time and again, he has voiced envy for their capacity to make decisions unburdened by parliaments, courts, or dissenting voices. More than once, Trump has hinted at his own aspirations for absolute power, floating the idea of ruling as a “dictator for a day” and making comments that suggest a deep-seated desire to govern without constraint.

Yet, what is most striking is that his supporters don’t recoil from such rhetoric—in fact, they embrace it. Many of them genuinely believe that a Trump dictatorship would serve their interests, crushing their perceived enemies while elevating their own status. But history, and logic, suggest otherwise. Dictators do not remain loyal to their followers. The very authoritarianism that Trump's base celebrates in theory will, in practice, be turned against them.

The United States and the Lost Ability to Absorb Migrants: A Sign of Decline?

For most of its history, the United States was a nation built on migration. Millions arrived on its shores, bringing new ideas, skills, and energy that fueled economic and cultural growth. The American Dream was, in essence, the promise that anyone could come, work hard, and become part of a thriving society. Migration was not only tolerated but encouraged—an essential ingredient in the country's success.

However, today, the same country that once prided itself on welcoming the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” now sees migration as a crisis and a threat. The very lifeblood that once sustained the U.S. is now treated as poison. Why has the nation lost its ability to absorb migrants? And does this signal the beginning of the end for the American experiment?

The New Division of the West: A Modern Echo of Rome’s Split

The Roman Empire, once the pinnacle of Western civilization, ultimately fractured into two halves: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium). This division signaled the beginning of the end for Rome’s dominance, as the empire struggled with both internal strife and external threats. Today, we are witnessing a similar fracture in the Western world, with the United States and Europe diverging in their geopolitical priorities.

The Munich Security Conference, once a symbol of Western unity, has now become a stage for revealing the growing rift between Washington and its European allies. The United States, increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific, is demonstrating a waning interest in protecting Europe from external threats. The message from Washington is clear: Europe must take responsibility for its own security.

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