The irony of the campaign trail
If you've been following the current political discourse, you've likely heard Donald Trump going hard on his anti-communist platform. It's highkey becoming his brand. But if you look at the actual data, the vibes are off. While the GOP is out here trying to scare voters with the idea of a 'socialist' takeover by the left, the administration is lowkey moving the U.S. toward a command-and-control economy themselves.
The numbers don't lie
According to data from the V-Dem project in Sweden, the U.S. has seen a major shift. We went from being one of the four least state-controlled economies in the world (2002–2024) to dropping to 16th place in 2025. By November last year, the Trump administration had dropped over $10bn to buy stakes in companies deemed vital for national security, including Intel and various mining ventures. They even secured an option on Westinghouse and basically strong-armed Nippon Steel into giving Washington a 'golden share' of U.S. Steel.
The endgame
Unlike the organized, technocrat-driven model we see in China, Trump’s approach seems far less disciplined. Experts point out that his economic philosophy leans into protectionism, reminiscent of the dependency theory that was popular in Latin America decades ago. He treats the state coffers like his own personal piggy bank—promising $5,000 checks to Americans if Republicans hold Congress, and even using taxpayer money to fund his own political attack ads.
Why it matters
It’s a massive plot twist: Trump isn't building a Marxist state for the people, he’s creating something that looks a lot more like a family fiefdom. While he might not have the patience for the long-game strategy of a leader like Xi Jinping, his attempts to consolidate power and control private industry raise a real question for voters. If you're stressed about government-run bodegas, why is a state-controlled national economy getting a pass? Ultimately, it remains to be seen if the U.S. economy is just too complex for anyone to truly play king.
