Malcolm Rivera
There has been much debate among academics, politicians, and the general public about whether former President Donald Trump is a fascist. Trump's political rhetoric and actions have been compared to those of fascist leaders, with some arguing that he employs similar tactics to persuade citizens to give up democracy. Trump has made authoritarian statements and has been criticised for his aggressive actions, which some argue threaten political cohesion and democracy in the US. However, others argue that Trump's politics contrast with historical fascism and that his connections to fascism are tenuous. While there is no single factor in the US Constitution that explicitly prevents Trump from becoming a fascist, the document itself, along with its checks and balances, acts as a safeguard against any individual or group seeking to consolidate power and undermine democratic values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freedom of speech | Trump's comments have been deemed authoritarian and antidemocratic, and his rhetoric has been compared to that of fascists. |
| Freedom of the press | Trump's administration has pushed to exert greater control over universities and the press. |
| Right to a fair trial | Trump has deported a large number of undocumented immigrants without providing them with a day in court, in violation of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Amendments of the Constitution. |
| Separation of powers | Trump's appointments to the Supreme Court have resulted in rulings that grant more power to the executive branch, threatening the independence of the judiciary. |
| Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures | Trump's ICE officers have arrested people without following legal procedures, and his administration has pushed for legislation that limits judicial power. |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's rhetoric and policies
There has been significant debate among academics, researchers, writers, former officials, and critics about whether Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, can be considered a fascist, particularly during his 2024 presidential campaign and second term as president.
Trump's immigration policies have been described as authoritarian and police-state tactics, with a focus on deportations and arrests that go beyond national security or criminal threats. His administration has also been accused of cosplaying immigration enforcement and giving highly political speeches to active-duty soldiers, violating American military policy and tradition.
Additionally, Trump's legislative agenda has raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the potential for limiting judicial power. A hidden provision in Trump's Big Bill, according to critics, could disarm the Supreme Court and make him essentially unchecked by Congress or the courts. This provision has been interpreted as an attempt by the Trump administration to restrict the power of federal courts to enforce their rulings and restrain executive overreach.
Trump's rhetoric employs similar tropes to those used by fascists, including falsehoods, half-truths, personal invective, xenophobia, national security scares, religious bigotry, white racism, economic insecurity, and scapegoating. His connections to neoliberalism and corporatocracy have also been highlighted as contributing to a "fascist creep" in American politics.
While there are differing opinions on the extent of Trump's alignment with fascism, his rhetoric and policies have sparked concerns about the preservation of democratic norms and individual rights in the United States.
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Academic opinions and comparisons
There has been a significant academic debate over whether Donald Trump can be considered a fascist, with many academics comparing his politics to fascism. Several academics have pointed out that there are contrasts between historical fascism and Trump's politics, but some argue that "fascist elements" have operated within and around Trump's movement.
In 2025, academics, researchers, and writers worldwide issued an anti-fascist manifesto, inspired by the rising influence of far-right movements and the fear that the world is sleepwalking into dictatorship and violence. The letter was timed to coincide with Trump's planned military parade on his birthday. While the letter does not mention Trump by name, the organizers cited the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and various crackdowns on the press, protesters, and professors in democracies as examples of the rising influence of fascist traits.
Some academics have compared Trump's rhetoric to that of fascist leaders, noting similarities in the use of falsehoods, xenophobia, national security scares, religious bigotry, racism, and scapegoating. Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat stated that the similarities between the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 and Mussolini's "Laws for the Defense of the State" are "striking," citing the elimination of judicial independence and the strengthening of executive authority.
Other academics, such as Francesco Marone, an assistant professor at the University of Teramo, are less convinced that Trump is a fascist, but rather argue that his aggressive actions threaten broader western political cohesion.
Some critics have also pointed to specific actions and policies of the Trump administration that they believe are indicative of fascist tendencies. These include Trump's comments about terminating the Constitution, his authoritarian statements, his connections to corporate elitism, and his appointments of ultra-conservative justices to the Supreme Court, which have led to rulings that critics argue grant kingly powers to the presidency.
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Trump's second term agenda
While Donald Trump has been compared to fascist leaders over his authoritarian actions and rhetoric, there has been significant academic and political debate over whether he can be considered a fascist. Trump's formal policy plan for his second term, Agenda 47, has been characterised as fascist.
Trump's second-term agenda includes a focus on "America First" priorities. He plans to take bold action to secure the US-Mexico border, protect American communities, and address immigration concerns. This involves ending catch-and-release policies, reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" program, building a wall along the southern border, and enhancing the vetting and screening of immigrants. Trump also intends to suspend refugee resettlement and deploy the National Guard to assist with border security.
Trump's energy policies aim to unleash American energy production by ending what he considers to be "climate extremism." This includes streamlining permitting processes, rescinding burdensome regulations on energy production and use, and empowering consumer choices in various appliances and vehicles. Trump plans to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord and implement the America First Trade Policy.
Trump has also announced plans to improve government accountability and end what he calls the "weaponization of government against political rivals." He intends to return federal workers to in-person work and establish gender definitions based on biological reality.
Trump's foreign policy during his first term was characterised by his admiration of authoritarian rulers and rhetorical rejections of human rights norms. He engaged with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, meeting him at two summits, and pursued an unpredictable approach to foreign policy.
While Trump's second-term agenda focuses on border security, energy policies, and government accountability, his actions and rhetoric have drawn comparisons to fascist leaders. However, there is ongoing debate over whether he can be definitively labelled a fascist.
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The US Supreme Court
In May 2025, a hidden" provision was added to Trump's Big Bill, which experts argued could disarm the US Supreme Court. The provision would prohibit courts from enforcing contempt citations for violations of injunctions or restraining orders, which have been the main types of rulings used to control the Trump administration. According to Representative Joe Neguse, a Colorado Democrat, the provision was added because the administration is "'losing in virtually every court in the land."
The Supreme Court has also played a role in blocking the administration's attempts to resume deportations of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Despite these efforts, critics worry that Trump's appointments to the Supreme Court have already shifted the nation's highest court towards rulings that threaten democracy, such as overturning abortion rights and expanding presidential powers.
While the US Supreme Court has been an essential check on the Trump administration, some worry that provisions like the one in Trump's Big Bill could limit its ability to enforce rulings and protect democratic norms.
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Trump's deportation tactics
There has been significant debate among academics, politicians, and the general public about whether Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, can be considered a fascist. Many have pointed to his authoritarian actions and rhetoric, including his deportation tactics, as evidence of fascist tendencies.
Trump has been criticized for his aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, with a focus on mass deportations. During his 2024 campaign, Trump promised to carry out the "largest domestic deportation operation in American history." This promise was followed by reports of immigration raids in neighborhoods and workplaces, targeting farms, hotels, and restaurants. Trump's administration set a goal of 3,000 ICE arrests per day, aiming to deport millions of people, regardless of their contribution to the American economy or society.
Trump's approach to immigration stands in contrast with that of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who targeted undocumented individuals who posed "national security" or "criminal" threats. Obama's deportations were based on proper legal documentation and warrants, ensuring that each person had their day in court. Trump's tactics, on the other hand, have been described as authoritarian and police-state-like, with a disregard for due process and constitutional rights.
In conclusion, Trump's deportation tactics, characterized by mass deportations, disregard for due process, and targeting of vulnerable communities, have contributed to the perception of authoritarian and fascist tendencies. While there is debate over the definition of "fascist", Trump's actions and rhetoric have raised concerns among academics, politicians, and the public about the direction of American politics and the potential erosion of democratic norms and values.
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Frequently asked questions
Fascism is an ideological term that refers to a broad set of aspirations and influences that emerged in the early 20th century. It is characterised by attacks on democratic norms and institutions, a reinvigorated nationalism laced with racist rhetoric, authoritarian impulses, and systematic assaults on the rights of those who do not conform to a manufactured traditional authority.
There has been significant debate among academics, politicians, and the general public about whether Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, can be considered a fascist. Concerns have been raised about Trump's rhetoric, which employs tropes similar to those used by fascists, including falsehoods, xenophobia, national security scares, religious bigotry, white racism, and scapegoating. Trump has also made authoritarian statements and taken actions that threaten the independence of the judiciary and strengthen executive authority.
Trump's formal policy plan for his second term, Agenda 47, has been characterised as fascist. Additionally, his appointments of ultra-conservative justices to the Supreme Court have resulted in rulings that overturn abortion rights and expand presidential powers. Trump has also made statements suggesting he could \"terminate\" the Constitution, and his administration has pushed back against court rulings, seeking to limit the power of the judiciary. Trump's deportation policies and rhetoric have also been criticised as authoritarian and racist, appealing to his MAGA base.
