In a speech at a manufacturing plant in Ohio today the Republican President of the United States accused Democrats of treason for the crime of not applauding during his recent State of the Union.

In part Donald said:“They [Democrats] were like death and un-American. Un-American. Somebody said, ‘treasonous.’ I mean, Yeah, I guess why not? Can we call that treason? Why not? I mean they certainly didn’t seem to love our country that much.”

Just about un-freaking real.

Autocracy rules for survival #4: Be outraged. If you follow Rule #1 Believe the autocrat. He means what he says, you will not be surprised. But in the face of the impulse to normalize, it is essential to maintain one’s capacity for shock. This will lead people to call you unreasonable and hysterical, and to accuse you of overreacting. It is no fun to be the only hysterical person in the room. Prepare yourself.