The GOP is Officially a Fascist Movement

To confront & defeat the threat, America has to name it. The GOP is now a fascist movement that is beholden to Trump, Putin, & white supremacy at the expense of democracy, truth, & freedom.

The GOP is Officially a Fascist Movement

Let’s stop with the linguistic gymnastics, euphemisms, and games of Taboo when discussing the modern GOP under Donald Trump.

MAGA is a fascist movement that has gleefully abandoned pro-democratic values and is now more aligned with Russia in action and rhetoric. Donald Trump openly parrots pro-Russian propaganda to attack Ukraine. This has directly led to President Zelensky’s favorability ratings plummeting with conservatives who sadly live in an incestuous cocoon of 24-7 right-wing disinformation. A recent Financial Times article revealed how the American Right is now closer to Russia and Turkey in its values, even surpassing China.

These values apparently include suppressing free speech, cracking down on protestors, purging the government and administration of anyone who isn’t loyal to the leader, ratcheting up stochastic terrorism against all perceived enemies, violating judicial orders, and engaging in multiple constitutional crises to allegedly make America great again.

Over the weekend, ICE arrested and illegally detained Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder whose whereabouts are unknown to his pregnant wife and lawyers. Khalil’s crime was being an outspoken Palestinian protesting Israel’s genocide and demanding an end to the war and occupation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote that the visas of “Hamas supporters in America” will be revoked so they can be deported. Homeland Security alleged that Khalil was “aligned with Hamas,” but has yet to provide any evidence. Also, what does that even mean? The Trump Administration just admitted that they’re speaking directly to Hamas, so aren’t they aligned as well? Are they supporting terrorism? None of this legal, but that doesn’t matter to an aspiring fascist like Trump who has referred to himself as a King and cited Napoleon: “He who saves a country does not violate any law.”

On Monday, Trump supported Khalil’s illegal detention and promised to target and deport more college students whom he referred to as “paid agitators” and “terrorist sympathizers.” (Again, there is no proof that Khalil is a paid agitator, provided support to terrorists, committed crimes, or is aligned with Hamas.)

If they had only worn a MAGA hat, attacked cops, and attempted to overthrow a free and fair election, then Trump would see them as heroes and pardon their violent crimes. Alas, they are simply students trying to end an occupation and a genocide. To make it worse, if it could get any worse, the White House account posted this shameful message quoting Trump and leading with “Shalom, Mahmoud.”

Thankfully, most American Jews realize this has nothing to do with protecting Jews from anti-semitism. The Trump Administration is simply using them as a battering ram against free speech, protests, public universities, and Palestinians. If the Trump Administration cared about fighting anti-semitism, Trump wouldn’t dine with Nick Fuentes, a leading white nationalist, or quote Hitler, or repeat white supremacist conspiracy theories. Unfortunately, every community has chickens for Colonel Sanders, and the Jewish community has the ADL. The alleged civil rights organization gave its full-throated support for the government to unilaterally strip people of their rights and status and deport them. ADL’s leadership would do well to read up on how authoritarian regimes did the same to Jews in Europe, but I digress.

By empowering the state to classify its critics as “terrorists” and security threats, the Trump Administration can and will crack down on all their critics. Again, this is what happens in Russia, China, and Turkey. What’s to stop them from going after pro-Ukraine advocates, BLM members, or individuals who are protesting Tesla dealerships? Elon Musk, the co-president, accused Valerie Costa, who is leading the Tesla protests, of “committing crimes.” Musk also wants to prosecute ActBlue donors. For what crimes? It doesn’t matter. They’re a threat and so they must be muzzled. Musk also wants “lengthy prison sentences” for 60 Minutes because he disliked one of their segments.

The guardrails meant to curb such authoritarian abuses are slowly being weakened by MAGA. DHS is now performing lie detector tests on employees to catch leakers. The FBI Director, Kash Patel, has promised to use his power to go after Trump’s media and political critics. Corporate media is already bending the knee and softening its coverage to avoid litigation. The Washington Post opinion page under Bezos’s new direction is so neutered that columnist Ruth Marcus just resigned because her essay criticizing these editorial changes was killed by CEO Will Lewis. Republicans, who by the way control the House, the Senate, the White House, and the media, are all willing reeks who are too terrified to speak up because they fear violence from their base.

Speaking of Republican voters, they resemble a vicious cult willing to mock and sacrifice their family members to “own the libs.” A devastating AP report shared personal stories of federal employees fired by DOGE who have lost their income and their health insurance but have found no comfort with their Trump-supporting family members who see them as examples of “government waste.” Even Supreme Court Justice Barrett is now being attacked as a “DEI hire” by MAGA simply because she voted with liberals to reject Trump’s illegal attempt to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid.

Meanwhile, Trump mocks Americans who complain about the price of eggs, declines to rule out a potential recession, escalates unnecessary trade wars with our colleagues, and allows Musk to gut our federal government, which is increasing unemployment and leading to yet another plane crash thanks to the fact 400 FAA employees have lost their jobs. As of Monday afternoon, the Dow fell 1,000 points and Ontario announced a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S.

If this is winning, then why does it feel like a punch to the face and a kick to the balls?

Either way, I don’t like it.

To confront and defeat a threat, we have to first name it and acknowledge it. The GOP under Trump is officially a fascist movement that is willing to tear down our democracy, our rights, and economy in service to a corrupt, thoroughly compromised vulgarian who in turn serves Putin, Musk, and his ego. Their appetite is insatiable and they will slowly but surely eat away what’s left of our freedoms and our country. Forget cake, they won’t even leave us crumbs.

A few Democrats, such as Bernie Sanders, acknowledge the threat and are taking the fight to their turf, holding popular rallies and town halls in red states. Others are slowly speaking up and following the lead of Rep. Crockett by being blunt and unapologetic in their critiques. Still, it’s up to the rest of us, the majority, to take care of ourselves, our families, and our local communities from a fascist movement that is willing to burn down everyone, including themselves, to “own the libs.”

In today’s episode of Democracy-Ish, Danielle and I discuss the numerous threats we face as a nation and predict how Trump will retain power.