Why is it bad? Well most people who like authoritarian governments because they are allured its power and efficiency only do so until freedom to do something they really care about is taken away from them because it is deemed "harmful" to the society at large. So if you don't realize why a very authoritarian government is bad, either you or your kids are yet to realize why.

The questions you have asked could probably fill text books and by no means by me and I would agree there is no red line which separates non-authoritarian from authoritarian. All law making states are authoritarian to some extent. I did however say "very" authoritarian, and in my mind there are more clear signs of such a government: holding state above the law, subduing sources of power by carrot and stick and amassing them by your side, subduing media to create your own narrative, creating the notion of "external and internal enemies" and using that as casus belli to declare war on parts of your own country that don't agree with you. A succinct summary could be abusing power to stay in power.

2-3

I mean, to start with, obviously there won't be any proofs but more likely clues, especially this early on. Here are some clues:

a- To start with he has (or thinks has) subdued Elon:

by probably promising him government contracts and a "say at the table". Elon likely has his own plans and thinks this arrangement is temporary (given his extremely inflated sense of self importance I don't think he will see him self as support billionaire to Trump forever). Even by US standards a billionaire being so intertwined with a president is a new low and is a sign of things that are going to change (for the worse).

b- Many companies that have previously withheld their ADs from twitter because of Elon's misinformation campaigns and fascists rants are now coming back one by one:

https://www.ft.com/content/34b6fc20-23f7-4e08-9ac4-ef05d5d66c13

This is a form of favour seeking and kissing the ring. This means, at least locally in time, they are subdued (or acting as if subdued). They might or might not have their own agenda we will see.

c- Trump's pick for the cabinet:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/trump-us-cabinet-billionaires

If when I say subdue you understand that Trump seizing a billionaires assets and companies then that is wrong. He is subduing them by saying "either side with me or you will lose a seat at the table filled by your rivals and they will make sure you will perish".

d- Other tech companies have already started to lick his feet because they know if they don't the consequences will be dire for them:

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/13/tech-companies-most-threatened-by-trump-donating-to-inauguration-fund.html

And I am not talking about the inauguration fund (which existed before Trump and is just a proof of what a circus US is). I am talking about the way CEOs of these companies are reacting to the election results:

“President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead,” Altman said"

Now again, to some extend all of these existed in the US before: rewarding billionaires who have supported the presidential campaign. But never before this directly, this early on and so fiercely. Trump hasn't even taken office yet but people are scrambling to prove their loyalty to him. This is much different than the "favour seeking" that existed before in the US.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

This is all wishy-washy vibes based analysis, though, which is why I urged you to take a materialist perspective. None of your comment answers that.
Trump is explicitly hand-picked by the bourgeoisie to fulfill their will, as has been the case with all US presidents. He is not above them, but a servant to them and their interests.

[–] iAvicenna@lemmy.world -2 points 6 days ago

Wishy-washy? Sure buddy. And hoping that China after decades of slaving away its citizen to US billionaires, building a highly authoritarian surveillance state that has state controlled media, state controlled billionaires will slowly work its way towards socialism isn't wishy washy. Based on what? Approval polls? Keep telling yourself generations of wasted lives will be all worth it once China turns into a gloriously socialist welfare state. If we are talking about an ant colony kind of socialism maybe. Even then not completely accurate. It is more like an ant colony where the queen allocated generations of its population to be eaten by the ant eaters so that they become weak and dependant on them and can't destroy the colony lol. By exploiting its population and building superbly oppressive and authoritarian state, China has become a leading country in tech and science. I will give you that. But that only means we can bet on which of US or China turns first into a high tech dystopian surveillance state.

Regarding Trump we will have to agree to disagree and see. My opinion is that Trump and definitely Elon is not in this to get a more richer in the next four years and then quietly part ways with their newly gained wealth once the presidency is finished.