This ‘tough guy’ president: 5 ways he’s silencing rivals

Across the global stage, a familiar archetype is on the rise: the strongman leader. Often projecting an image of unshakeable resolve and national pride, this ‘tough guy’ president frequently employs a specific playbook to consolidate power and sideline opposition. While their rhetoric often centers on strength and order, a closer look reveals a pattern of systematic efforts to silence dissenting voices. Understanding these methods is crucial for anyone interested in modern geopolitics.

This approach goes beyond simple political maneuvering. It involves a coordinated strategy aimed at dismantling the very structures that allow for a vibrant opposition to exist. From the courts to the press, no institution is safe from the pressure campaign. Here, we break down five key tactics these leaders use to quiet their rivals.

1. Weaponizing the Judiciary

One of the most effective tools for silencing rivals is the legal system itself. A leader cultivating a “tough guy” image often presents their actions as a crusade against corruption or a necessary measure to enforce “law and order.” However, this rhetoric can mask a more cynical purpose: using the courts to neutralize political opponents.

This tactic often involves initiating lengthy and costly legal battles against key opposition figures. Protracted investigations, tax audits, and corruption charges—whether founded or not—can drain a rival’s resources, tarnish their public reputation, and keep them entangled in legal proceedings rather than focusing on political campaigns. The goal isn’t always a conviction; sometimes, the process itself is the punishment.

Furthermore, this ‘tough guy’ president may work to stack the courts with loyalist judges who are more likely to rule in the government’s favor. By eroding judicial independence, the leader ensures that the legal system becomes an extension of their executive will, rather than an impartial arbiter of justice. This creates a chilling effect, where potential critics become hesitant to speak out for fear of facing politically motivated legal repercussions. For more details on this phenomenon, you can review this report from the Council on Foreign Relations on democratic backsliding.

2. How this ‘tough guy’ president controls the media narrative

Information is power, and no one understands this better than a leader fixated on control. A core strategy for silencing rivals is to seize control of the media landscape, ensuring the public only hears a state-sanctioned version of events. This is a multi-pronged assault on the free press.

First, state-owned media outlets are transformed into propaganda machines, broadcasting non-stop praise for the president while relentlessly attacking the opposition. Independent media outlets face a different kind of pressure. They can be starved of advertising revenue, bogged down by frivolous lawsuits, or hit with regulatory hurdles that make it impossible to operate. Journalists who publish critical stories may face harassment, intimidation, or even arrest under vaguely worded “fake news” or national security laws.

This ‘tough guy’ president also masterfully uses social media to bypass traditional gatekeepers. By communicating directly with millions of followers, they can spread their message unfiltered, discredit critics as “enemies of the people,” and create powerful echo chambers where their version of reality is constantly reinforced. This digital dominance makes it incredibly difficult for rival narratives to gain traction.

3. Economic and Bureaucratic Coercion

Power isn’t just political; it’s also economic. A “tough guy” leader can use the vast machinery of the state to reward loyalty and punish dissent. This form of coercion is often subtle but incredibly effective at keeping potential rivals in line, especially those in the business community.

Business leaders who publicly support the opposition might find their companies suddenly facing a mountain of red tape. Permits get denied, inspections become frequent and disruptive, and lucrative government contracts are exclusively awarded to presidential allies. This cronyism creates a powerful incentive for the economic elite to either support the president or, at the very least, remain silent. The message is clear: your financial success depends on your political allegiance.

This pressure extends to ordinary citizens as well. Public sector jobs may be contingent on party loyalty, and individuals known for their opposition leanings might find themselves sidelined or demoted. By controlling the economic levers, the leader ensures that the cost of dissent is simply too high for many to bear. You can learn more about these tactics in our deep dive on modern political strategies.

4. Restricting Public Assembly and Protest

A sea of protestors is a powerful symbol of public discontent and a direct challenge to a leader’s authority. To prevent such displays, “tough guy” presidents often move to systematically dismantle the right to public assembly. This is usually done under the guise of maintaining public order or preventing chaos.

New laws are introduced that make it exceedingly difficult to obtain permits for protests. Spontaneous gatherings are declared illegal, and “protest-free zones” are established around key government buildings. The legal framework is designed to make organizing any form of public demonstration a bureaucratic nightmare.

When protests do occur, they are often met with a disproportionately strong police response. The use of riot gear, tear gas, and mass arrests sends a powerful message of intimidation. The goal is to instill fear and make citizens think twice before taking to the streets. By framing protestors as violent anarchists or foreign-funded agitators, the government also seeks to delegitimize their cause in the eyes of the wider public.

5. Cultivating a Cult of Personality

Finally, perhaps the most insidious method is the cultivation of a personality cult. This tactic aims to elevate the leader from a mere politician to a quasi-mythical figure—the sole protector and embodiment of the nation. This ‘tough guy’ president is portrayed as infallible, uniquely strong, and the only person capable of steering the country through turbulent times.

State propaganda works tirelessly to build this image. The leader’s face is everywhere, from billboards to school textbooks. National holidays may be re-centered around their life and achievements. History is often rewritten to place them at the center of the nation’s triumphs.

The effect of this is to fuse the leader’s identity with the state itself. Consequently, any criticism of the president is framed not as legitimate political dissent, but as an act of treason or an attack on the nation. This makes it incredibly difficult for rivals to build a platform, as they are immediately cast as unpatriotic “enemies” working against the national interest. In this environment, loyalty to the leader becomes the ultimate test of patriotism, effectively silencing any and all opposition.