I am pretty sure a dictator would have done the following to gain power:
Fabricate foreign ties/influence to delegitimize your political opponent
Have allies investigate your political opponent over said ties, in order to obtain anything that can be used against them.
Use fabricated ties and the investigation to hold public proceedings against your political opponent.
Use the media (that you control), to remove exculpatory evidence and information and only show derogatory information (even and especially if it is fabricated), to swing the masses.
Use operatives to fraudulently swing the next election, claiming the reduction in popularity was due to public finding out about your political opponent's 'corruption' (which you fabricated and set the media to broadcast).
I am pretty sure a dictator would have done the following to gain power:
Fabricate foreign ties/influence to delegitimize your political opponent
Have allies investigate your political opponent over said ties, in order to obtain anything that can be used against them.
Use fabricated ties and the investigation to hold public proceedings against your political opponent.
Use the media (that you control), to remove exculpatory evidence and information and only show derogatory information (even and especially if it is fabricated), to swing the masses.
Use operatives to fraudulently swing the next election, claiming the reduction in popularity was due to public finding out about your political opponent's 'corruption' (which you fabricated and set the media to broadcast).
Pretty sure the Dems fit that more than anyone.