A list of the characteristics of fascism (from Keene State College, here: https://www.keene.edu/academics/cchgs/resources/presentation-materials/characteristics-and-appeal-of-fascism/download/ )
1. Powerful, often exclusionary, populist nationalism centered on cult of a redemptive, “infallible”
leader who never admits mistakes. TRUMP DOES THIS
2. Political power derived from questioning reality, endorsing myth and rage, and promoting lies.
TRUMP DOES THIS
3. Fixation with perceived national decline, humiliation, or victimhood. TRUMP DOES THIS
4. White Replacement “Theory” used to show that democratic ideals of freedom and equality are a threat. Oppose any initiatives or institutions that are racially, ethnically, or religiously harmonious. TRUMP DOES THIS
5. Disdain for human rights while seeking purity and cleansing for those they define as part of the nation. TRUMP DOES THIS (ICE, his take on African refugees)
6. Identification of “enemies”/scapegoats as a unifying cause. Imprison and/or murder opposition and minority group leaders. TRUMP DOES THIS (attacks on LBGTQ+ people, immigrants, the press)
7. Supremacy of the military and embrace of paramilitarism in an uneasy, but effective
collaboration with traditional elites. Fascists arm people and justify and glorify violence as “redemptive”. TRUMP DOES THIS (his military parades and insistence on military involvement over diplomatic solutions)
8. Rampant sexism. TRUMP DOES THIS (grab them by the . . . )
9. Control of mass media and undermining “truth”. TRUMP DOES THIS (attacks on the media)
10. Obsession with national security, crime and punishment, and fostering a sense of the nation under attack. TRUMP DOES THIS
11. Religion and government are intertwined. TRUMP DOES THIS (Think about the images of all the people praying over him, the posting himself as Jesus . . .)
12. Corporate power is protected and labor power is suppressed. TRUMP DOES THIS
13. Disdain for intellectuals and the arts not aligned with the fascist narrative. TRUMP DOES THIS (Kennedy Center!)
14. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Loyalty to the leader is paramount and often more important than competence. TRUMP DOES THIS (Hegseth, Linda McMahon . . . )
15. Fraudulent elections and creation of a one-party state. (We are not there yet on this one, but we're less than 2 years in)
16. Often seeking to expand territory through armed conflict. TRUMP DOES THIS (Venezuela, et al)
