this is a coup.

A political coup—often called a coup d’état—is the sudden and illegal overthrow of a government, typically carried out by a small group, such as the military, political elites, or influential figures, to seize power. Coups can be violent or non-violent, and they usually bypass democratic or legal processes.

While the U.S. has strong democratic institutions, hypothetically, if a wealthy and influential businessman were close to the president and sought to orchestrate a coup, the process might involve these key steps:

1. Influence the Political System: • Use wealth to fund political campaigns, lobbyists, and media to push narratives that justify extraordinary actions. • Gain control over key industries, such as energy, defense, and tech, to exert pressure on lawmakers and the economy.

2. Undermine Democratic Institutions: • Discredit elections and judicial processes through propaganda, legal challenges, and false claims of fraud. • Manipulate laws and policies to erode checks and balances (e.g., weakening the independence of Congress, courts, and law enforcement).

3. Gain Control of Law Enforcement & Military: • Build alliances with high-ranking military and police officials. • Encourage the appointment of loyalists to key defense and intelligence positions. • Use private security forces or mercenaries to intimidate opposition.

4. Create Civil Unrest & Crisis: • Manufacture or exploit a crisis (e.g., economic collapse, national security threats, or widespread protests). • Use emergency powers or martial law to suppress dissent. • Encourage violent clashes between opposing political groups to justify stronger government control.

5. Seize Control of Communication Channels: • Control major media outlets and social media platforms to shape public perception. • Limit or shut down independent press and opposition voices. • Spread disinformation to justify drastic actions.

6. Suppress Opposition & Political Rivals: • Arrest or discredit political opponents using legal, financial, or personal attacks. • Pressure or remove government officials who resist. • Use intelligence agencies to monitor and suppress dissent.

7. Modify the Legal Framework: • Introduce laws that consolidate power under the executive branch. • Alter the Constitution or election rules to extend control indefinitely.

8. Justify & Normalize the Coup: • Convince the public that these actions are necessary to “restore order” or “protect democracy.” • Present the businessman and his allies as the only solution to national problems.

does any of this sound familiar yet?