In the lead-up to the November 2020 presidential election, Dr. Mark Thompson, a philosophy professor at a leading university, discussed the alarming erosion of democracy in the U.S., attributing much of it to Donald Trump. He articulated a definition of fascism that resonated deeply: “a leader-centric movement that promises national revitalization against perceived threats posed by communists, minorities, and immigrants.” This definition echoed the sentiments surrounding Trumpism, a term that emerged in recent years.
Despite various scandals and revelations from former allies and family, Trump’s supporters seem resolute in their loyalty. I recall feeling anxious upon hearing Dr. Thompson’s insights, fearing we might face another four years dominated by Trumpism.
Fast forward to late November—Joe Biden has emerged victorious in the election, yet Trump remains in denial. Earlier this week, he begrudgingly acknowledged the transition process initiated by the General Services Administration’s head, yet he continued to declare his intent to “fight on,” implying that he would persist with his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.
Trump’s strategy has involved undermining trust in the electoral system, labeling every state that didn’t support him as fraudulent. Astonishingly, millions of individuals continue to accept his falsehoods. How can so many disregard the evidence provided by reputable news outlets and state officials? Dr. Thompson offered a compelling explanation, linking Trump’s tactics to fascism.
“Fascist politics turns governance into a battleground where the truth becomes irrelevant. Opponents are viewed as threats, and if the leader disseminates falsehoods, it is justified in the context of winning the ‘war’ for their supporters,” he explained in a subsequent interview. “By delegitimizing the media and framing it as part of a conspiracy against the nation, Trump has fostered a blind allegiance among his base.”
This dynamic is why, despite Trump’s fabrications and erratic behavior, including chaotic press conferences, his followers remain steadfast. They refuse to remove their Trump memorabilia and now perceive the election as a farce. This militaristic view of politics is detrimental to America’s legacy of fair elections.
It became evident early on that Trump would not concede easily. By refusing to commit to a peaceful transition, he laid the groundwork for a disputed election—a hallmark of fascist behavior.
Dr. Thompson articulated, “Trump has had a clear strategy to contest the election results for months. His plan relied on COVID denialism to amass a lead on Election Day, declare victory prematurely, and then employ the tactics we now observe. That plan ultimately failed.” Consequently, we witness his desperate attempts to reverse the election results.
Reflect on the night of November 3, 2020. States that would later shift blue due to absentee ballots initially reported red results. By the morning of November 4, Trump had proclaimed victory, disregarding the millions of absentee votes that still needed counting. Like many Americans, I went to sleep that night with a sense of dread about the possibility of continued Trump leadership.
Now, Trump remains obstinate, continuously launching legal challenges against the election outcomes, akin to throwing spaghetti at a wall in hopes something will adhere.
What troubles me most is the fact that despite overwhelming evidence against allegations of election fraud, countless Americans still buy into Trump’s claims. He has reframed the election narrative as a conflict, positioning fellow citizens as adversaries rather than allies in a democratic process.
The unfortunate truth is that this perceived “enemy” isn’t a foreign entity but rather fellow Americans—friends, family, neighbors. Trump’s maneuvers to subvert the election process pose a grave threat, creating divisions at a time when unity is crucial.
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Summary:
Trump’s attempts to overturn the election reflect tactics associated with fascism, creating a divisive political environment. Despite the clear evidence against his claims of fraud, many supporters remain loyal, perceiving politics as a battleground rather than a democratic process. This situation poses significant risks to national unity and the integrity of elections.
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