Inevitably, we are led to the question of whether Trump is a fascist. It is a question that I have addressed on several previous occasions, not always with the same answer. Having created a definition and an archetype, it is time to tackle the issue again.
Trump meets half of the standards for the ideal fascist. He is a man; although he grew up wealthy and privileged, he still resents the Manhattan elite who found him ridiculous; he is an effective speaker in a bitter, sarcastic way; and he believes that every relationship is built on power. He does not, however, meet the other four standards. It’s a mixed bag.
As to the definition of fascism, the picture is also somewhat mixed. Some of his views are reactionary, but it is becoming increasingly clear that he is a true believer in the PBP economic formula of tax cuts and business deregulation. He uses nationalist rhetoric, but he is reducing the American political and military presence throughout the world, and his blustery talk has not resulted in war. He stomps on liberal democratic norms every day of the week, but he has made no real effort to control the press or shoot down protesters in the street, even though the opportunity has been presented to him. He is, in short, more of an eroding, corrupting force than a right-wing revolutionary.
In the past, I have referred to Trump as an “accidental fascist,” who is motivated far more by narcissism than ideology, but who might be driven by events and his desperate desire to be seen as a “winner” to become a despot. Today, I would say that split verdict is mostly accurate. That he would like to be an illiberal democrat is, I think, beyond doubt; his template for the presidency is his operation of the Trump Organization. He has come to believe that he is only accountable to the country at election time, and that it is perfectly appropriate for him to use his powers to tilt the playing field to the maximum extent possible. There is, however, no reason to think that he dreams about being a fascist dictator. If that happens, it will be due more to extreme circumstances and the efforts of his supporters than to his ideology and lust for power.