One of the most important things any aspiring dictator can do is silence a free press.  Gingrich, Bannon and Trump are on the path to accomplish that result- 
It stanfs even higher on their agenda than going after politically helpless immigrants. It doesn't take long to destroy a democracy - it happened in 1930's Germany  in just a few short years.
It starts with ridicule, shutting down access to data and to knowledgeable people, and threats. Intimidation, perverse uses of federal power (remember Nixon's "enemies list" and intimidation by sudden IRS audits - and now with added "anti-terrorism" threats to publishing ).
 Not too many hopeful signs for sustaining "the Dream".