neofascism

In a recent interview with MSNBC, historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat issued the following warning about America’s collapse into Trumpism and neofascism: “Honestly, the speed at which this is happening and the kind of concentrated push to do this, it doesn’t have any parallel in situations where leaders came to power through elections….If you look at the early Putin or the early Orban or Erdogan, they didn’t move at this speed. This resembles more after there’s been a coup.”

It took many decades for the Age of Trump and American neofascism to become a reality.

In all, America’s democracy crisis and the rise of authoritarian populism and neofascism are much more than “just” an existential political challenge.

For more than eight years, the mainstream news media and political class and other “reasonable” and “responsible” political voices and leaders could have adapted to the rise of Trumpism, American neofascism and the authoritarian populist moment.

Of particular note, the 2024 election is part of a global move towards right-wing authoritarian populism and neofascism.