Is Donald Trump a fascist?

Donald Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. Before his presidency, he was a businessman and television personality. His political career began with his announcement to run for president in 2015, and his campaign was marked by controversial statements and promises. To discuss whether he is a fascist, people have to define what is fascism. Fascism is a style of rule that always emerges with authoritarianism and violence. It will not solve the problem but rather blame all problems on others and make enemies, then use violent behavior towards others. It is often mixed with sexism and racism. Based on this definition, Donald Trump exhibits many characteristics that are similar to what a fascist leader has done. His authoritarian tendencies, control over public opinion, and anti-immigrant sentiment indicate his connection with fascism, but there is little evidence about how democracy has controlled him and made him not a fully fascist.

The trait that most accompanies a fascist leader is their authoritarian tendencies, and Trump has shown that tendency. One of the most important aspects of the Trump presidency has been his attempts to undermine democracy. He has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process, particularly during and after the 2020 election.2021 On January 6, 2021, by promoting unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, Trump attempted to delegitimize the results of the election and maintain power. A group of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to interfere with the certification of the 2020 election. The mob attacked the Capitol Police force, destroyed property, and sent Congress and staff into hiding. One protester was killed, and about 140 law enforcement officers were attacked. These actions reflect the behavior of authoritarian leaders who undermine democratic norms to consolidate their control.

Because of the need to control people's thoughts, fascist leaders would control public opinion to ensure that the population did not hear information that was unfavorable to them and to instill their own ideas in the population. A notable example is Trump's response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. During the protests following the death of George Floyd, Trump tweeted, "When the looting starts, the shooting starts," a phrase that was widely criticized as inciting violence against protestors. The tweet was a direct demonstration of his control over his supporters and an attempt to frame the narrative surrounding the protests as one of chaos and violence rather than addressing the underlying issues of racial injustice. Such an approach allows people to receive the message they want to send, indirectly controlling the choices they make next. Additionally, Trump has often used his Twitter account to denigrate the mainstream media, calling it "fake news." This undermines the credibility of independent news and allows his followers to only believe information that comes directly from him or his approved sources. For example, Trump has repeatedly attacked CNN, The New York Times, and other major news organizations in an attempt to erode public trust in these outlets and thereby solidify his control over his supporters. Trump has also used his Twitter account to denigrate the media, including the New York Times and other major news outlets.

Trump's immigration policies and his rhetoric against Mexico also share similarities with fascist traits. His administration's maintenance of a repressive stance on immigration, particularly the inclusion of Mexican immigrants at the border and the implementation of travel bans in several Muslim-majority countries, reflects his nationalism and racism. Trump's derogatory remarks about Mexican immigrants, referring to them as criminals and rapists, have further fueled a climate of racism and xenophobia. These policies and statements echo the fascist notion of protecting the nation from external threats and maintaining a homogenous national identity.

While Trump is similar to a fascist in many ways, he also maintains a democratic mindset in his election process and government structure. Donald Trump's election followed the established democratic process of campaigning, primaries, and the general election. The fact that he won the presidency through a legitimate electoral process underscores the strength of American democracy. The judiciary has played a crucial role in checking Trump's power. Courts have repeatedly ruled that his policies and actions are considered ultra vires or unconstitutional. Take his travel ban, for example. Trump wanted to ban several Muslim countries from entering the United States. Federal courts initially blocked the ban. While the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the revised version, the judiciary's intervention demonstrates that he has not yet reached dictatorship and the democratic forces that can check him.

Therefore, Donald Trump's personal characteristics and behavior have been influenced by American democracy despite showing similarities to fascist leadership. His authoritarian tendencies, control of public opinion, and nationalist policies are consistent with fascist characteristics. However, his electoral process was democratic, and his decisions were ultimately influenced by democracy.

references

https://scholarship.rollins.edu/honors/123. Vickers, Mary. "And Some, I Assume, Are Good People:” Examining the Impact of Donald Trump’s Presidency on the Lived Experiences of Latinx Teens" (2020).

https://millercenter.org/president/trump/life-presidency. Benjamin C. Waterhouse. DONALD TRUMP: LIFE BEFORE THE PRESIDENCY

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/06/the-mind-of-donald-trump/480771/. Dan P. McAdams. THE MIND OF DONALD TRUMP

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-6-capitol-riot. History.com Editors. U.S. Capitol riot (July 10, 2024)

https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/why-we-cant-stop-arguing-about-whether-trump-is-a-fascist. Andrew Marantz. Why We Can’t Stop Arguing About Whether Trump Is a Fascist(

March 27, 2024).