What a loaded question: Is Trump a Fascist?
Plenty people on this site have proven to be clueless about the term. Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy. Key elements include anti-democracy, a planned economy, militarism, racism, traditional gender roles, a one party system, and control of the media.
- Unions between businesses and the State, with the state telling the business what to do, with nominally private ownership. This was "Corporatism" in Italy and "National Socialism" in Germany, with the redistribution of wealth <---aspects of communism, in which the Nazi morons were infamous for hating.
- A single charismatic leader who has ultimate authority. Advisers to the Government are generally picked by merit (loyalty) rather than election and cronyism is common.
- The social structure is believed necessary to prevent chaos within Italian Fascism, with racism not being a real issue (and not at all originally). However, all class distinctions are eliminated within German Naziism (<--- communism again), with these fascists believing in a "superior" race.
- The economic system includes large deficit spending.
- Discriminatory against race, gender, the mentally or physical handicapped, homosexuals, trade unions, and all ideological and political opposition.
- Ultra-nationalists who identify strongly with other Nationalistic nations and leaders. Distrust internationalism and rarely abide by international agreements. Fascists do not believe in the concept of international law.
- War is good for the morale of the nation and a means to attain glory. War also has no negative effect on the economy since the economy revolves around war making.
Clearly, looking at only Trump as that "fascist" is deceitful:
* American business practice includes corporatism, in which specific and select corporations receive tax-subsidies and bailouts in order to preserve a competitive edge that makes our country stronger.
* The GOP practices political court stacking, poll closures, actual voter fraud, voter restrictions, and the promotion of the electoral college to avoid the popular vote.
* Trump has captured the hearts of a great percentage of American people in what is clearly a cult-like relationship with a populist demagogue. We are talking about the average American conservative who blindly supports a walking anti-thesis to conservatism.
* Trump is fond of appointing inexperienced family members to high level positions, while firing and appointing department figures based on their personal loyalties to him.
* Trump has spent years threatening the Senate into obedience and persistently railing against and manipulating the judicial, seeking to promote himself as a single individual of worth and authority.
* The average American conservative guards the wealth of the one percent, while excusing their tax-free privileges, in order to maintain the class structure in what they consistently delude themselves into believing a class war is in play.
* Racism is an underlying element among the American right.
* Today's conservative America, since Reagan, is fond of expanding government, deficit spending, and increased debt.
* Trump did ridicule the handicapped and women on the campaign trail, for which he earned conservative laughter. Conservatives are fond of labeling "the left" as the enemy of America, while labeling Democrats socialists, fascists, and communists. <---proving that terminology ignorance.
* Trump is on record for praising right-wing governments in Europe, while clinging to right-wing media. Trump did suggest that he could launch a state-run media. He actually declared that FOX wasn't doing a good "job for us" anymore.
* The average conservative rails against international organizations with hatred. Trump does ignore and renege on international agreements and deals. For that matter, the American history is full of betraying those we have made deals with. Find a Native American and ask him. We did shove the international definition of waterboarding aside. We do refuse the ICC. Trump did call NATO obsolete. We do not trust the UN.
* War is good for morale in our country. We have been at war for nineteen years with most of America merely shrugging and our economy doing well. Our politicians do emit false patriotism by anointing our troops as crusaders in the righteous struggle for freedom, while issuing gross defense contracts to promote more and more war. For that matter, our entire history is one of documented war-making, contrary to the myths.
Trump is a fascist wannabe in a system that won't easily allow it. But the system does involve aspects of fascism. And most people defaulted to assuming "no." Don't get me started on the word socialist.
eace
