The political right often rejects claims that Donald Trump is a fascist. This debate is complicated by fascism's slippery nature, which can resemble authoritarianism, totalitarianism, or military dictatorships. Modern authoritarian regimes like Hungary and Russia further muddy the waters by maintaining the appearance of democracy through elections. Even as Republicans restrict voting rights, they argue that America remains fundamentally democratic. I aims to demonstrate that Trump meets the criteria of fascism using a comprehensive definition from Robert Paxton's "The Anatomy of Fascism."

What is Fascism?

Paxton's definition of fascism in "The Anatomy of Fascism" is chosen for its comprehensive analysis and distinction between fascism and other authoritarian systems. It also divides fascism into stages and shows how they are achieved or how they fail. It helps the reader understand that fascism is not merely a cult of personality where Mussolini or Hitler and their policies define what fascism is. What Hitler and Mussolini did is often what defines so called "liberal fascism", while neglecting the other components that make up fascism. My use of this definition is to avoid such incomplete analysis.

According to Paxton:

"Fascism may be defined as a form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation, or victimhood and by compensatory cults of unity, energy, and purity, in which a mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion."

This definition can be broken down into several key components:

1. Political behavior characterized by:

• Obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation, or victimhood

• Compensatory cults of unity, energy, and purity

2. Mass-based party of nationalist militants collaborating uneasily with traditional elites

3. Abandonment of democratic liberties

4. Pursuit of internal cleansing and external expansion through redemptive violence, without ethical or legal restraints

How is Trump A Fascist?

Political Behavior—Obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation or victimhood

Here are there quotes from a recent Fox News interview with Brian Kilmeade about Biden and Democrats:

"He's absolutely destroyed this country."

"He's being laughed at by the leaders of foreign countries. It's ridiculous that he's our president."

"More about policy than anything else and these radical Democrats are all radical everyone that they're talking about is a radical left lunatic and whether it's Biden or whether it's somebody else I think it's the same. They want open borders they want all the things we just discussed and much more. No more gasoline powered cars. They want you to go all electric, which don't go far and made in China; very expensive. They, you know, as an example I say it's almost embarrassing to have to even say, they want men playing in women's sports."

In this interview, Trump and his supporters paint Biden as a national embarrassment, whose policies are supposedly destroying America. They criticize Biden's stance on renewable energy, immigration, and transgender rights, framing these issues as evidence of America's decline. This narrative of national decay and embarrassment sets the stage for a sense of victimhood and persecution.

Trump and his base often portray themselves as victims of the media, claiming that the press unfairly targets and vilifies them. This belief is held regardless of whether they feel the criticism is deserved or not.

While these statements might not be strong indicators of fascism, they do provide insight into Trump's political behavior and his ability to shape public opinion by exploiting fears of decline and outsider threats.

Political Behavior—Compensatory cults of unity, energy, and purity

This component, and the next, are crucial as they highlight that fascism is more than just a cult of personality, which is how it is often simplified in the media. By examining the behaviors and beliefs of those within Trump's circle, we can better assess whether he can be considered a fascist, regardless of his self-perception.

Trump's description of the assassination attempt at the Republican National Convention (RNC) is telling:

"I raised my right arm, looked at the thousands and thousands of people breathlessly waiting, and started shouting Fight! Fight! Fight!... When my clenched fist went up high into the air, the crowd realized I was okay and roared with pride for our country like no crowd I have ever heard before..."

Trump's interpretation of the event equates the crowd's enthusiasm for his survival with their passion for the nation. In Trump's narrative, he and the country are one and the same, indicating that he sees himself as the embodiment of a movement fueled by his unique vision for America.

This sense of unity and purity is further emphasized in another quote from his RNC speech:

"Our resolve is unbroken, and our purpose is unchanged: to deliver a government that serves the American people better than ever before. Nothing will stop me in this mission because our vision is righteous and our cause is pure. No matter what obstacle comes our way, we will not break, we will not bend, we will not back down. And I will never stop fighting for you, your family, and our magnificent country. Never."

Here, Trump presents himself and his supporters as righteous and pure, invoking religious notions to justify their political agenda. The fact that the RNC audience cheers on this statement despite its antithesis to democratic pluralism is concerning. Trump's rhetoric leaves no room for legitimate opposition, casting those who challenge him as impure or even unpatriotic.

The support Trump receives from his base further solidifies this dynamic. Many Trump supporters at the RNC wore bandages on their ears in solidarity with him. Figures like Kid Rock, whose Instagram proclaimed, "You frick with Trump, you frick with me!" embody the loyalty of Trump's followers. The Republican Party's continued endorsement of Trump as their standard-bearer indicates their alignment with his vision for the country.

Mass-based party of committed nationalists militants work in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites

Fascism is not merely about the figurehead but also about the social landscape surrounding him. Let's examine this aspect by starting with the relationship between far-right nationalists and traditional elites, which is often uneasy but can be functionally collaborative.

Two recent examples from U.S. politics illustrate this dynamic:

Firstly, consider the recent Republican National Convention (RNC) vote, where Mitch McConnell, a long-serving Senator and instrumental figure in conservative politics, was booed by attendees. McConnell embodies the definition of a traditional elite within the Republican Party. Despite his successful tenure in the Senate, including his role in securing two Supreme Court seats for conservative justices, he was met with disdain by RNC attendees. This reaction is particularly notable given the successful advancement of the conservative agenda through the Court, with landmark decisions such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Chevron deference.

The second example is the insurrection attempt on January 6, 2021, led by Donald Trump and his supporters. Far-right militant groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were present and prepared to commit acts of violence. When former Vice President Mike Pence, a long-serving Republican and loyal supporter of Trump, declined to overturn the election results, these militants turned on him. Despite Pence's four years of service to the conservative movement, his adherence to the law was met with calls for his murder, with insurgents chanting, "Hang Mike Pence."

This tenuous relationship between far-right nationalists and traditional elites is exemplified by these two cases. In the political arena, figures like Trump, McConnell, and Pence share a common vision for the country. However, outside these halls, Trump can leverage the support of far-right militants to exert pressure on more moderate conservatives, as seen during the insurrection attempt. Traditional elites like McConnell and Pence benefit from the support of the far-right base while also needing to maintain a delicate balance to avoid backlash.

In this context, Donald Trump serves as a central figure, navigating both worlds and utilizing them to further his agenda.

Abandons democratic liberties

This criterion expands our understanding of fascist aims beyond just Trump or his supporters, highlighting how fascism poses a direct threat to democratic institutions and the liberties they guarantee. In Trump's statement about the purity of his cause, he emphasizes his determination to overcome any obstacle, including those posed by democracy and the rule of law.

Trump has suggested that, if reelected, he might weaponize the FBI, despite acknowledging the potential consequences for American democracy. A leader committed to preserving democratic norms would instead ensure the lawful punishment of political enemies, thereby upholding democratic liberties and avoiding any actions that could endanger the nation.

Since losing the 2020 election, Trump has consistently denied the validity of the results, claiming without evidence that the election was stolen. This rejection of election results undermines the most fundamental aspect of democracy. What makes this particularly egregious is that Trump is willing to abandon democratic liberties in his pursuit of power. Trump and his allies are already laying the groundwork to challenge the 2024 election results, citing unsubstantiated concerns of fraud.

In another concerning development, the conservative-leaning Supreme Court, in Trump v. United States, ruled that the President "may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers" and is "entitled to presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts." This decision effectively places the Office of the President above the law, preventing accountability for the most powerful position in the nation—a departure from democratic principles.

Additionally, Trump has vowed to deport up to 11 million undocumented immigrants using the military, a plan that violates the Posse Comitatus Act. This Act prohibits the involvement of federal troops in civilian law enforcement. However, Trump has disregarded this Act, stating that undocumented immigrants are not civilians but rather "people that aren't legally in our country."

Trump's brand of fascism sacrifices democratic liberties and norms to serve his pursuit and retention of power. He seeks revenge on political enemies, disregarding the legal justifications, and works to "purify" the nation. That last clause might be a strong phrase but....

Pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion

Trump's characterization of immigrants reveals a lot about his perspective and intentions:

"They're poisoning the blood of our country...They've poisoned mental institutions and prisons all over the world...They're coming into our country from Africa, from Asia...all over the world they're pouring into our country."

By describing immigrants as "poison," Trump implies that removing them would have a purifying or healing effect on the nation. Immigration is a significant issue for conservatives, and they are likely receptive to Trump's plan of action. Similarly, during his Veterans Day speech in New Hampshire, he vowed to:

"Root out the Communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country...[They] lie and cheat and steal on elections, and will do anything possible, whether legal or illegal, to destroy America and the American dream."

Trump's rhetoric has been identified as echoing Nazi language. Critics often argue that using Nazi rhetoric does not necessarily make one a Nazi, and thus the left's concerns are overblown. However, this component of fascist behavior is about the means fascists employ to achieve their goals. In Trump's case, how does he intend to "root out" these people or deport immigrants? As discussed previously, he has shown little regard for legal constraints, and his actions are likely to violate democratic norms.

The specter of violence looms large within Trump's rhetoric, and with a cause he deems pure and righteous, along with followers eager to act, the potential for violent outcomes increases. Similarly, Kevin Robert, President of the Heritage Foundation and an acquaintance of Trump, has characterized the "radical left" as "coming for your freedom, your God-given rights, and our national soul." Robert further asserted:

"We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be,"

Here, Robert strongly insinuates that he and his far-right militants are prepared for redemptive violence to restore their vision of America. Trump's rhetoric and that of his far-right allies indicate a readiness to employ violence in pursuit of their version of the "American dream," raising serious concerns about the potential for future unrest and the erosion of democratic norms.

Trump is a Fascist

To sum it up, Trump's narrative consistently revolves around the idea of national decline and humiliation, cultivating a sense of victimhood among his supporters. He evokes religious notions of purity and unity, entwining his personal interests with the nation's, which leaves no room for legitimate democratic opposition. Trump's false claim of election fraud and his disregard for democratic institutions, norms, and liberties further bolster the case for his fascist tendencies.

Indeed, one of the clearest indicators of Trump's authoritarian inclinations is his pursuit of power with no ethical or legal restraints. His rhetoric demonizes immigrants and his political opponents, using Nazi phrases like they're his own. Trump's loyal base of committed nationalist militants includes far-right groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who were present during the January 6 insurrection. In concert, they pose a direct threat to democratic ideals. Traditional elites within the Republican Party, though maintaining an uneasy relationship with these militants, ultimately benefit from and contribute to Trump's fascist agenda. As Kevin Robert, an acquaintance of Trump's, insinuated, Trump and his followers are prepared to use redemptive violence to realize their vision for America.

Donald Trump is a fascist.