Monday saw the inauguration of Donald Trump who starts his second stint as president – and it began with a bang. A flurry of executive orders were signed attacking migrants, the trans community, and even the environment. Many on the left have accused Trump of being a fascist, but is he really? Does it even matter if he is? Fascism is defined as a far-right, authoritarian, ultra nationalist political ideology and is characterised by dictatorial leadership, centralised control, militarism, suppression of opposition, the belief of a natural hierarchy and strong regimentation of society and the economy. So far Trump doesn’t tick all the boxes, but it should be a worry to all that he ticks most of them.
The 51st, 52nd, and 53rd States?
From a global perspective one of the most concerning points is Trump’s announcements that Canada should be the 51st state, that Greenland should be American territory, that the Panama Canal was a “foolish gift (to Panama) that should never have been made” and he is threatening to take it back. This, unfortunately, has a historical parallel. Hitler’s policy of Lebensraum, literally living space, saw Nazi Germany justify expanding into Central and Eastern Europe. With this expansion of territory came the expulsion, in some case the extermination, of the non-Aryan populations. Could Trump go as far as expulsion of native populations? It’s hard to imagine and hopefully not. This is the far-right, ultra nationalist ideology, and militarism that defines part of fascism.
The Land of the Free
In the ‘Land of the Free’ it will be hard to act too authoritarian, but some sections of society are seeing their freedoms be curtailed in favour of the views of Trump and his rightwing sycophants. Attacks continue on women’s reproductive rights which were set back 50 years with help from Trump’s Supreme Court appointees. One of the many executive orders enacted on Monday was a very broad attack on the rights of trans citizens. The order, which says that America will only recognise two genders, and they are fixed at birth, is a hammerblow to the progress of the last few years. This redefinition will surely cause issues for official documents such as passports which can currently reflect the gender identity of their holders. Trans Americans were banned from serving in the military during Trump’s first administration and although he didn’t include another ban in Monday’s executive order it’s thought he will enact a block again.
Racism and Natural Hierarchy?
It’s hard to pin the term racist to Trump, mostly because it seems unfathomable that the President of the United States. Unfortunately even the briefest look into his past shows instance after instance of how he truly feels about non-whites. In 1973 Trump settled a case with the Department of Justice for housing discrimination against African-Americans. In settling he was fined but allowed to not have to admit responsibility. In the 1991 book Trumped!, author John O’Donnell quotes Trump as saying “Black guys counting my money! I hate it. The only kind of people I want counting my money are short guys that wear yarmulkes every day.” Who can forget that Trump helped stoke the ‘birther’ conspiracy that Barack Obama had not been born in America and was therefore ineligible to be President. I wonder what one characteristic Obama had that former presidents didn’t that made Trump repeatedly bring up his birth certificate…? We’re seeing Trump’s views being played out in attacks on immigrants and their rights. There is no sympathy for why these immigrants might go to America. No discussion on economic or ecological reasons that force people to make the long and dangerous journey. The only discussion going on this week is how quickly the wall between them and Mexico can be built, and how many members of the armed services are to be deployed to ‘protect’ America.
Fascist or Autocratic Populist?
Where fascist Trump theory starts to call apart is the regimentation of society and the economy, and the suppression of opposition. It’s hard to see how Trump could command enough authority to control the entire populace of America . Add to this that there are checks and balances to American executive power that were put in place to stop any one branch of the government from becoming too powerful. Judicial reviews, Congress having the availability to confirm presidential appointments and override Presidential vetoes, and of course the power to impeach the president. Trump is all too familiar with impeachment – and who knows, maybe third time’s a charm? Part of Trump’s ability to woo the working class is his populist Does it matter? I would argue yes. It’s important to watch the slide from authoritarian populist to fascist, as it can inform us as to where the USA may be heading. As more of the definition of fascist is met, the more worried we should all be. It’s important to remember that two things helped elect Trump. Firstly, he told voters he would bring prices down for their gas and groceries. For a working class that has been battered by inflation since 2020 this will have appealed greatly. Secondly, he had the backing of some of the richest in America.The names are familiar ones – Koch Industries, Blackstone, Walmart, Sequoia Capital, Johnson & Johnson, and more. Bringing down prices will clash with the aims of these billionaire backers and it will be interesting to see how the working class react to their needs still not being met. Could Trump turn to fascism to stay popular? More attacks on women, LTBQ+, immigrants, neighbouring countries, will all be on the cards. The whole World should take note.