Is Donald Trump a fascist? A fascism scholar says he certainly sounds like one

Fascism simmers underground with nationalist rantings, the demonization of minorities and anti-democratic sentiment. That bubbling has been getting closer to the surface in Europe and can be seen in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey and political victories of nationalists in France and Italy.

Traditionally, fascism is not something we equate with leaders in the United States. However, Donald Trump’s presidency, as well as a rise in Christian nationalism, is making many historians and political scientists rethink some things.

Trump is running for president again. His first term was filled with daily mischaracterizations, misrepresentations and easily disprovable lies, including his “Big Lie”  about the 2020 Presidential election. That trend has continued into his 2024 campaign, as he attempts to delegitimize the various criminal and civil charges he currently faces.

“Every time the radical left, Democrats, Marxist, communists, and fascists indict me, I considered it a great badge of honor,” Trump said at a campaign rally in Waterford last weekend. “I am being indicted for you. Never forget, I’m being indicted for you. Never forget our enemies want to take away my freedom, because I will never let them take away your freedom. I will not do that.”

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a history professor at New York University, scholar on authoritarian leaders and the author of the book, “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present.” She says the kind of rhetoric Trump is using on the campaign trail is not a surprise.

“When they play the victim, and people start to bond with them and believe them, then any subsequent indictments or revelations that come out are more proof of their persecution by their enemies.”

– Ruth Ben Ghiat, New York University professor and scholar on authoritarian leaders

“One of the things [authoritarians] do is they play the victim. Mussolini did this. Erdogan did this. Silvio Berlusconi in Italy — they all talked about witch hunts against themselves,” Ben-Ghiat said. “When they play the victim, and people start to bond with them and believe them, then any subsequent indictments or revelations that come out are more proof of their persecution by their enemies.”

Donald Trump’s legal woes have only just begun, with civil judgments leading the former president to rack up several hundred million dollars in fines and penalties. His criminal cases have been a slow moving process, as courts weigh whether Trump is immune from prosecution. However, that has not stopped him from attacking each trial judge.

“He’s a crooked judge; by a radical left wing judge, was a lawless and unconstitutional atrocity that sets fire to our laws like no one has ever seen in this country before. That happens in banana republics. It doesn’t happen in this country.”

Trump is referring to Judge Arthur Engoron who levied a $364 million fine against him earlier this month.

Ben-Ghiat says attacks by tyrants on the judiciary system is like “Authoritarianism 101.”

Listen: Interview with fascism scholar and New York University history professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat

“Authoritarians are all corrupt. And many of them already have criminal records, or they are facing charges or indictments. And that’s why they run for office,” she said. “He strings together these words: ‘unconstitutional,’ ‘the radical left,’ ‘atrocity,’ ‘banana republic’ and he is saying to his followers: ‘I’m going to sweep all that away, and I’m going to establish a different kind of state, a state of law and order.'”

Demonizing outsiders is also a common tactic for authoritarians, Ben-Ghiat says, and in a recent Fox News town hall, Trump plainly announced his latest target.

“We have a new category of crime. It’s called migrant crime. And it’s going to be worse than any other form of crime,” Trump said.

Ben Ghiat says being a great communicator and using the power of speech to marginalize minorities is part of the authoritarian skillset.

Trump’s anti-democratic rhetoric is concerning for many Americans heading into the 2024 presidential election — concerns that Ben-Ghiat say are valid.

“They are telling us they’re going to end our democracy as we know it,” she said. “…I don’t think many Americans are prepared. Because there’s the idea it can’t happen here. But the outcome of my research shows that everyone thought that and then it happened, and nobody was prepared.

“So we can learn from history that it can happen anywhere. And indeed, nowadays, they tell you what they’re going to do ahead of time. And that’s what Trump and his enablers are doing.”

Use the media player above for the full interview with fascism scholar and New York University history professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat.