Edward Snowden warned us about a president like Donald Trump

Edward Snowden warned us we were just an election away from surveillance-based tyranny.
 By 
Colin Daileda
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Edward Snowden warned us we were just an election away from surveillance-based tyranny.

In 2013, the former NSA contractor-turned whilstleblower spoke about the dangers of allowing a surveillance state to bloom before handing its powers to a president willing to use them for whatever he or she likes.

"A new leader will be elected, they'll flip the switch, say that because of the crisis, because of the dangers that we face in the world -- some new and unpredicted threat -- we need more authority, we need more power," Snowden said. "And there will be nothing the people can do at that point to oppose it. It will be turnkey tyranny."


You May Also Like

Enter Donald Trump, a man who mercilessly attacked political opponents in the run-up to his victory in Tuesday's presidential election, a man who has said he would love to have the "power" to hack his adversaries, who has called for an immigration ban for Muslims -- a group that dealt with intense government surveillance in the aftermath of 9/11.

The first part of Snowden's warning has come true. A man with authoritarianism on his mind has been elected president.

Now, we'll see if the second part of Snowden's warning follows the first.

Mashable Image
Colin Daileda

Colin is Mashable's US & World Reporter. He previously interned at Foreign Policy magazine and The American Prospect. Colin is a graduate from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. When he's not at Mashable, you can most likely find him eating or playing some kind of sport.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Jimmy Kimmel uses a 10-year-old tweet to roast Trump
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage. An old tweet from Donald Trump is visible at the bottom of the screen.

Seth Meyers shares theory on why Trump attacked Venezuela
Seth Meyers on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers.'

'SNL UK' cold open mocking Keir Starmer gets shared by Donald Trump
A worried man sits behind a desk.

Apple expects high demand from its March 4 releases
apple logo over a smartphone with black background

Seth Meyers responds to Trump insulting CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins
Seth Meyers presents "Late Night" beside an image of Donald Trump.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

You can track Artemis II in real time as Orion flies to the moon
Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman piloting the Orion spacecraft
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!