It depends what you mean by tyrant. Over at Engelsberg Ideas, historian Edmund Stewart brings some necessary context. Here is a taste:
Trump is clearly not a tyrant yet. Will he become one? American institutions are stronger than many of the prophets of doom have assumed. They may yet be weakened. The biggest threat to democracy is not Trump just now, but rather factionalism and political polarisation. The lesson of history is that, as often as not in these circumstances, the leading demagogues at the start do not in the end get to become tyrants. The winner in the battle for supreme power is often someone entirely unexpected.
Trump, ever the opportunist and survivor, has exhibited considerable talent in exploiting and worsening the divisions in society. Yet, on the other hand, those who have called wolf and cried ‘tyrant’ have hardly acted responsibly either. Worst of all, they have prevented clear and objective thinking on the threat posed by real tyrants (the Putins and Xis of this world). Americans must reject demagoguery in all its forms. They must face the problems that divide them honestly and with a spirit of forgiveness and understanding for all our sakes.
Read the entire piece here.