Jorge Costa Oliveira
To compare with what’s currently happening in the U.S., I asked an AI bot to list the typical characteristics of fascist political regimes. Here is the response, with my commentary in parentheses:
Extreme nationalism, glorifying the nation and its culture to the detriment of others, promoting the idea of national superiority (“America First,” the cornerstone slogan of Trump and the MAGA movement, is a textbook example).
Authoritarianism, rejecting liberal democracy and concentrating power in a charismatic leader or a single party (there’s clear use and abuse of emergency legislation by the Executive to bypass Congressional oversight in areas such as immigration policy and tariff enforcement, as well as open defiance of court rulings and attacks on judges).
Cult of personality, promoting a grandiose and infallible image of the leader, who is portrayed as the nation’s savior (from Trump’s speeches and rhetoric to the “North Korea-style” cabinet meetings, and the repeated pledges of blind loyalty to the dear leader).
Repression of opposition, through persecution of critics, censorship of the press, and media control (the targeting of political opponents and attorneys is already underway, with the instrumentalization of the DOJ and FBI, along with frequent attacks on independent media).
Militarism, prioritizing military strength and aggressive foreign policy, glorifying war as a means of expanding national influence (the primacy of force is evident – with disregard for domestic or international law – in the bombings of Iran and threats to use force in Panama and Greenland).
Populism, using rhetoric that claims to represent the will of the people (Trump has always been a populist demagogue, legitimized by two electoral victories).
State control over the economy, marked by collaboration between the government and major corporations (see the collusion with various tech oligarchs, and threats to retailers and importers of tariffed goods, pressuring them to absorb the costs).
Disregard for equality, dismissing social equality and human rights principles, promoting inequality based on race, ethnicity, or class (note Trump’s affection for racist groups, his family’s dealings with billionaires, and the rollback of affirmative action policies, which perpetuates inequality).
Totalitarian ideology, seeking to control all aspects of public and private life, including education and culture (see the dismantling of the Department of Education, the targeting of liberal universities with attempts to alter curricula, and threats directed at Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen).
Anti-socialism and anti-intellectualism, devaluing critical thinking, branding it a threat (the attack on social policies – for example, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – has begun, deepening inequality, alongside assaults on liberal intellectuals and science).
In short, the United States isn’t there yet, but it’s heading down the path – fast.
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