Donald Trump and the signs of fascism

In 2003, Laurence W. Britt authored an article entitled ‘fascism anyone’, in which he analysed seven different regimes, including Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, and identified 14 common threads. This article was later used to produce a poster, entitled ‘early warning signs of fascism.’ With Donald Trump’s second term now underway, I think it will be illuminating to go through the warning signs portrayed on this poster and pose an answer to a question that many are asking; is President Trump a fascist?

1. Powerful and continuing nationalism

 ‘I am a nationalist,’ said Trump during a speech in 2018. Setting aside this fairly conclusive proclamation, there are reams of evidence of Trump’s nationalism. There’s his ‘America first,’ national security strategy in his first term, and his appeal to nationalist and patriotic Americans with the repeated ‘make America great again’ campaign slogan. His much-promised tariffs, consistent anti-immigration policies and bizarre aims for territorial expansion, including the acquisition of Greenland, all reek of nationalist sentiment. Trump sees America as superior and puts it’s needs (as he sees them) above any global good.

2. Disdain for human rights

In this category Trump is clearly in keeping with fascist tendencies. One of his new executive orders called to ‘restore the federal death penalty,’ despite it being a policy that is prohibited by the European Court of Human Rights and other western democracies. He is also hoping to deny the right of citizenship for many people born in America. He is also anti-abortions, something many countries see as a fundamental right, with France even putting this right in their constitution.

3. Identification of enemies as a unifying cause

Trump has identified many enemies as a means of rallying support, whether that be immigrants, Muslims, or democrats. None, however, have been vilified quite as much as transgender people, and more generally the “woke” agenda. Trump taps in to the fears of protective parents, saying that, by supporting transgender rights and equality, Joe Biden was ‘promoting the disfigurement of our youth,’ and that transgender people were ‘invented’ by the ‘radical left.’ Since his inauguration, Trump has banned transgender people from the military and from using female spaces and he has halted their passport applications. In the tragic plane crash on January 30th, Trump blamed the event on DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion) programmes. Like Adolf Hitler did with Jewish people, Trump is making transgender people and the “woke” agenda an enemy to create scapegoats and bolster his own popularity.

4. Supremacy of the military

The military have featured in several of Trump’s new executive orders, highlighting their centrality. He increased their role in border security, and also banned transgender people from joining, as though he fears the sanctity of the military being tainted.

5. Rampant sexism

Few people will need reminders of Trump’s sexism, but here are a few of his lowest moments. A 2005 tape recorded him discussing grabbing women ‘by the pussy’, he criticised senator Elizabeth Warren’s ‘nasty mouth’, and he said Hilary Clinton ‘doesn’t have the look’. This list could be much longer, but the sexism is blatant.

6. Controlled media

Despite what he may have you believe, Trump was previously in favour of the TikTok ban. Despite saving it for now, many believe this is because he can use the app for his own gain, especially if an American buys it. Furthermore, with Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg in Trump’s back pocket (Zuckerberg even changing facebook’s fact check policy to appease him), Trump will undoubtedly have huge sway over media.

7. Obsession with national security

Trump’s fixation on national security is one of his trademarks, particularly regarding his responses to immigration. Trump is committed to his dream of a border wall to combat this so-called threat. In speech after speech he rants about it and in a 2025 executive order he claimed America was suffering a ‘large scale invasion’ from ‘illegal aliens’ with ‘malicious intent’. He plans to establish a physical wall and detain these ‘aliens’ to the ‘maximum extent authorised by the law.’

8. Religion and government intertwined.

Evangelical Christians are a key support base for Trump, yet he himself is not particularly religious. Religion has declined since Britt’s article was written in 2003, which could be why it’s less central to Trump’s policy.

9. Corporate power protected

Trump certainly values corporate America, even if his policies about immigration or tariffs have adverse impacts on them. He certainly values the big names in silicone valley after they donated heavily to his inauguration fund, and he has promised less regulations on tech companies and a lowering of US corporate income tax rate to 15%.

10. Labor power suppressed

As is stereotypical of a fascist leader, Trump has consistently opposed trade unions. In a conversation with Musk on twitter he said that striking workers should be dismissed, and he has made it easier for employers to do so. He also loaded the national labour relations board and the courts with anti-union appointees, making it easier for him to get his way.

11. Disdain for intellectuals and the arts

Trump is still a fan of the arts, at least for now, but his cabinet has been loaded with a sea of yes-men ready to do his bidding. He knows that intellectuals pose a threat to his agenda, so he refuses to have them feature in his administration.

12. Obsession with crime and punishment

Trump plans to restore the federal death penalty and overrule any past supreme court precedents that have restricted capital punishment. He has also threatened to bring the national guard into cities where there are protests and called the use of force on protestors a ‘beautiful thing to watch.’ In a speech to congress on the 27th of January, Trump spoke of using forced exile on violent repeat offenders. This is going further than most people dared to imagine.

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption

The front row at Trump’s inauguration was telling of the cronyism and corruption that is occurring. Musk, despite having no political experience, was sat in that row and will be a member of Trump’s cabinet. Trump has also appointed his family members to political roles, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner who was a senior advisor during Trumps first term. As stated, Trump appoints yes-men, not experts. He has an army of people who will do his bidding and not ask questions, which is reminiscent of past fascist administrations.

14. Fraudulent elections

Although this warning sign cannot necessarily be pointed to Trump himself, there are some questionable aspects to US elections, namely the extreme gerrymandering. Many electoral districts have been manipulated so there’s almost no competition between the two parties, which seems distinctly undemocratic.

Considering the fact that Donald Trump ticks off almost every warning sign of fascism that Britt’s original article identified, my answer to the question of ‘is Trump a fascist’, is a resounding yes. As US and global politics becomes increasingly extreme, what can we expect to come next? Are we going to see conflicts like those that arose the last time fascism become rampant? Can Trump be stopped? We’ll have to wait and see.