Here are 10 ways the U.S. is showing signs of fascist tendencies, based on current political developments and historical parallels:
1. Centralization of Power Under a Single Leader
Donald Trump’s presidency has been marked by efforts to consolidate executive power, including bypassing Congress with executive orders and dismissing checks and balances. The “Big Beautiful bill” includes a poison pill that eliminates the power of courts to hold officials in contempt for disregarding court orders. His rhetoric and actions align with authoritarian leadership styles, emphasizing loyalty to himself over institutional norms
2. Suppression of Opposition and Criticism
The Trump administration has targeted political opponents, journalists, and academics, with proposals to defund or punish institutions perceived as hostile. Efforts to control media narratives and label dissent as “misinformation” mirror fascist tactics to silence critics.
3. Scapegoating Marginalized Groups
Trump and his allies have demonized immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and racial minorities, using dehumanizing language like “poisoning the blood of our country.” This mirrors fascist regimes’ reliance on vilifying “outsiders” to unify a base. Blaming plane crashes on DEI hiring for instance.
4. Attacks on Education and Intellectual Freedom
The administration has sought to purge “left-leaning” history and research from schools and federal agencies, banning terms like “LGBT” and “socioeconomic” in government documents. This echoes fascist control over education to enforce ideological conformity
5. Militarization of Domestic Politics
The embrace of violent rhetoric (e.g., calling opponents “vermin”) and the use of force against protests (e.g., threats to deploy the military) align with fascist tendencies to normalize state violence against dissenters.
6. Erosion of Democratic Norms
Republican leaders, including Trump, have openly questioned democracy’s validity, like Efforts to overturn elections and restrict voting rights further undermine democratic foundations.
7. Weaponization of Religion
The creation of a “Faith Office” led by Christian nationalist figures like Paula White, coupled with policies privileging evangelical Christianity, mirrors fascist regimes’ use of religion to legitimize authoritarianism and marginalize other faiths.
8. Dismantling Institutional Expertise
Mass firings at federal agencies (e.g., CDC, EPA) and replacing experts with loyalists reflect a fascist distrust of independent institutions, prioritizing ideological loyalty over competence.
9. Cult of Personality and Propaganda
Trump’s reliance on lies (e.g., election fraud claims) and the MAGAnites unwavering faith in him, despite evidence, parallel fascist reliance on myth-making and charismatic leadership to override facts.
10. Project 2025: A Blueprint for Theocratic Authoritarianism
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 outlines plans to purge civil servants, impose Christian nationalist policies, and dismantle regulatory agencies, aiming to reshape the U.S. into an illiberal state aligned with fascist ideals of centralized control.
Conclusion
The warning signs are undeniable. From the erosion of democratic norms to the systematic targeting of marginalized groups, the U.S. is drifting toward a dangerous political precipice. History teaches us that fascism does not arrive with a single dramatic coup but through incremental steps:
- discrediting truth,
- dismantling institutions,
- and dehumanizing opponents.
If left unchecked, these trends threaten the very foundations of American democracy. Vigilance, resistance, and collective action are not just necessary—they are urgent. The future of a free and equitable society depends on recognizing these dangers and standing firmly against them before it’s too late