Fascists defined themselves as the bulwark against evils and menaces to the nation. Those included communism, routine democratic politics, the traditional conservatism of industrial and agrarian elites, and, especially in the German case, foreigners, and minorities (the GOP's anti-immigrant, anti-Mexican, anti-Muslim diatribes). Communism is no longer an issue for American politics. But the GOP constantly rail against politics as usual, against political correctness, against elites of all kinds (unless the donate lots of money), and has made a habit of demonizing minorities, LGBT, differing views, and so on)
Anyone who displayed only tepid loyalty to the leader or who showed the potential to outshine the leader risked being purged or killed. So did followers who outlived their usefulness. Trump's campaign shares this tendency toward purges. Rep. Liz Cheney being expelled from her position is an example. Any Republican that does not tow the line gets death threats.
In style and rhetoric, fascism was theatrical. Trump did not strut across stages like a Mussolini, but his and the GOP's rhetoric fits the fascist style well. He constantly called things and people the "worst" or "best ever". Their rallies feature repetitive chants. Even Trump's studied frown of disapproval looks very similar to the classic Mussolini pose.
As both are opposed to equality, both Republicans and Fascists are anti-union, and rely strongly on class collaboration. In Fascist economies, private ownership is widely practiced, however, businesses and corporations are encouraged to cater to the government's ambitions. In exchange, the government will hand the corporations a handsome incentive. Republican lawmakers typically promise heavy tax breaks (Trump's tax cuts the GOP are fighting to keep in place).
As Right-Wing extremists, Fascists have a deeper belief in hierarchy. In Italy, the Fascists used the mantras such as 'We are the descendants of the Ancient Romans', Mussolini would pound his chest and espouse things like, 'I shall restore the glory that was Rome'. In Germany, well, Hitler and the Nazis were convinced they were a ruling race, and that so called, inferior races were to be either expelled or exterminated. Modern Fascists still march to exterminate or strip away the rights of marginalized groups of people (voting restrictions, removing LGBT rights, abortion rights).
The Republican Party seems obsessed with conspiracies, particularly the ones involving some sort of 'plot against the nation'. Such conspiracy theories are not only obsessions of Fascists, but essential for the function of their authoritarian states. Keep the people distracted. Keep exploiting the kneejerk reactions of fear and ego.
Fascists tend to deeply romanticize the past, so much so to the point where the past becomes a myth, rather than a memory. They must for their narrative to exist, that being "once we were great, but we lost our way because of our enemies, and if we do what is necessary, we shall become great again" etc. (any wonder why they are against CRT?).
Fascist regimes make constant use of: Patriotic mottos --Make America Great Again"), Symbols (like the Trump Hat) and Flags (Trump Flags which they hold in higher honor than the US flag)
Human rights can be ignored because of fear of enemies and the need for security. As a result, people tend to: Look the other way (the poor, starving, homeless, vets, children in cages at the border), approve of torture and long incarcerations of prisoners, approve of executions and assassinations (Trump saying who ever leaked him being the in the bunker should be executed, Trump saying protesters should be shot, Trump followers saying people crossing the border should be shot, the assassination of an Iranian general the violated the Geneva Conventions and Iraqi Sovereignty)
People are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common enemy: racial (Black, Asian, Muslim), ethnic or religious minorities (Islam, Pagan, various forms of Christianity}, liberals (the opposition), communists, socialists (which simply believe in a differing economic model)
Supremacy of the Military: The military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding (As of Jul 9, 2021, $778 Billion which is largely because of Trump), Soldiers and military service are glamorized "They're a Vet, you can't call them out for doing bad things, because they're a vet")
Widespread Sexism: The government tends to be almost exclusively male-dominated (by and large, the majority of GOP believe women are not meant to lead unless they tow the party line), Traditional gender roles are made more rigid, anti-abortion, and homosexuality and transgender (The Nazis said that homosexuality was degenerate, effeminate, perverted and undermined masculinity because it did not produce children, just like the GOP say)
Religion and Government are Intertwined: Governments use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. (GOP Evangelicals, anyone?), Religious messages and terminology are common from government leaders (GOP constantly invoking Jesus and God (which is a title, not a name) to exploit fear and ego)
Corporate Power is Protected, Mussolini: "Fascism should be more properly called corpratism because it is the merger of state and corporate power".
Labor Power is Suppressed Labor unions are seen as a huge threat (no GOP is pro union}, Labor unions are either severely suppressed, or are eliminated entirely.
Disrespect for Intellectuals and the Arts: Open hostility to higher education ("Teachers and colleges do nothing but indoctrinate" the GOP tell their loyal, non-college educated or generally less educated followers)
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