Since fascism is difficult to define, assigning characteristics to the ideology has been an effective strategy used by experts throughout history. The following is a comprehensive list derived from multiple sources and will serve as the basis for proving beyond any doubt that Donald Trump is a fascist:
Use of enemy as a scapegoat and distraction
Fascist regimes manipulate public perception by fabricating or exaggerating external and internal enemies, using them as scapegoats for societal problems to unify the population under their control. By blaming marginalized groups, political opponents, or foreign powers for economic hardships and social unrest, they divert attention from their own failures and justify authoritarian policies.
Anti-minority / chauvinistic
Fascism promotes a rigid hierarchy of superiority, systematically oppressing minorities by portraying them as threats to national purity, stability, or prosperity. Through discriminatory laws, propaganda, and state-sanctioned violence, fascist regimes reinforce chauvinistic ideals that glorify the dominant group while dehumanizing and marginalizing others.
Call for a national rebirth
Fascism calls for a national rebirth by portraying the present as a period of decline and decadence, promising a return to a mythical past of strength, purity, and unity. This revival is framed as a heroic struggle, demanding radical transformation through authoritarian rule, militarism, and the purging of perceived enemies to restore the nation’s supposed former glory.
Extreme nationalism
Fascism promotes extreme nationalism by glorifying the nation as superior to all others and demanding unwavering loyalty from its citizens. It fosters a sense of unity through exclusion, portraying outsiders and internal dissenters as threats to national strength and purity.
Use of violence
Fascism uses violence as a tool to silence opposition, enforce obedience, and instill fear in both enemies and the general population. State-sponsored militias, police forces, and street gangs are often mobilized to attack political opponents, minority groups, and anyone who challenges the regime’s authority.
Aggressive militarism
Fascism glorifies military strength and war as essential to national greatness, often expanding military forces and promoting a culture of aggression. The regime justifies military expansion and conquest as a means of securing resources, asserting dominance, and uniting the nation under a common cause.
Cult of personality
Fascism relies on a cult of personality by portraying the leader as an infallible, almost god-like figure who embodies the will and destiny of the nation. Through propaganda, mass rallies, and strict control of the media, the leader is depicted as the sole savior capable of restoring national strength and unity.
Anti-intellectualism and cultural repression
Fascism thrives on anti-intellectualism by dismissing critical thinking and suppressing academics, artists, and writers who challenge the regime’s ideology. Cultural repression follows as the state censors literature, art, and education, ensuring that only works that glorify the regime and promote blind obedience are allowed to flourish.
Advancement of propaganda through a controlled mass media
Fascism relies on a tightly controlled mass media to spread propaganda, silencing dissenting voices and ensuring the public only receives information that reinforces the regime’s ideology. By advancing lies and distorting reality, the state manipulates public perception, creating an environment where truth is whatever the leadership declares it to be.
Authoritarian tendencies and aspirations
Fascism seeks to concentrate power in the hands of a single leader or ruling party, rejecting democratic institutions and suppressing opposition to maintain absolute control. Through strict laws, surveillance, and repression, it enforces obedience and eliminates any threats to its authority, often justifying these measures as necessary for national stability and security.
Imperialistic ambitions
Fascism often promotes expansionist ideologies, seeking to conquer new territories and assert dominance over other nations in the name of national superiority. This imperialistic drive is framed as a natural consequence of the nation’s strength, using militaristic force and the idea of reclaiming or expanding a “glorious” past to justify territorial aggression.
Mass mobilization
Fascism relies on mass mobilization to cultivate a sense of collective purpose, often organizing large rallies, parades, and events to unify the population around a shared ideological goal. These movements use the spectacle of mass gatherings to reinforce loyalty, stoke nationalistic fervor, and create an atmosphere of conformity, where dissent is seen as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
Elimination of human rights to prioritize the state
Fascism often eliminates basic human rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and privacy, in favor of the state’s supremacy and control. Individual freedoms are subordinated to the needs of the state, with dissenters, political opponents, and marginalized groups frequently silenced, persecuted, or eliminated to maintain state power and unity.
Religion and government are intertwined
Fascism often intertwines religion and government, using religious institutions to legitimize the state’s authority and promote its ideological goals. This alliance encourages the belief that the state is divinely ordained, with religious leaders supporting the regime in exchange for power and influence, further solidifying the regime’s control over both political and spiritual life.
Promotion of corporate power / Suppression of labor power
Fascism promotes corporate power by aligning with large businesses and industrial elites, often offering them preferential treatment in exchange for support of the regime. At the same time, labor movements are suppressed, as workers’ rights and unions are seen as a threat to the centralized control of the state and the interests of corporate collaborators.
Obsession with law and order
Fascism places a strong emphasis on law and order, using it as a tool to maintain strict control over society and suppress any opposition. This obsession often leads to the expansion of state power, with harsh laws and authoritarian enforcement mechanisms designed to instill fear and compliance among the populace.
Youth indoctrination
Fascism often targets the youth to indoctrinate them with the regime’s ideology, shaping their values to align with the state’s goals. Through state-controlled education systems, youth organizations, and propaganda, fascist regimes cultivate loyalty to the leader and the nation, ensuring the perpetuation of their ideals for future generations.
Cronyism and corruption
Fascism promotes cronyism by placing loyal supporters and allies in positions of power, ensuring that key government roles are filled with individuals who prioritize the regime’s interests. This leads to widespread corruption, as resources and opportunities are distributed to those in favor, while dissenters are sidelined or punished, undermining merit and fairness.
Demand of unwavering loyalty
Fascism demands unwavering loyalty not only from citizens but also from the administration, with officials required to demonstrate complete allegiance to the leader and the state. This loyalty is enforced through strict control and fear of punishment, ensuring that any opposition or independent thought within the government is swiftly eliminated.
Fraudulent elections
Fascist regimes often manipulate electoral processes to consolidate power, presenting elections as mere formalities that affirm the regime’s will. This approach creates an illusion of legitimacy while suppressing any true democratic practices.
Desire for economic self-sufficiency
Fascism desires economic self-sufficiency to reduce dependence on foreign nations and strengthen national autonomy. By prioritizing self-reliance, fascist regimes aim to control resources, promote national pride, and ensure the state’s interests are not influenced by external powers.
“Work makes you free”
Fascism promotes work having value as it emphasizes the importance of labor in building a strong, self-reliant nation. By glorifying hard work, fascist regimes seek to create a disciplined, productive society that supports national goals and reinforces the state’s power and unity.
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