He recently published the book “The Wannabe Fascists – A Guide to Understanding the Greatest Threat to Democracy.”Washington. In an interview with the AFP news agency, Finchelstein gives his assessment of the behavior of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump: He started out as a populist and then gradually became more and more extreme.
How extremist is Trump?
“He embodies an extreme version of populism that approaches fascism,” says Finchelstein. The historian defines four key elements of fascism: political violence, propaganda and disinformation, xenophobia and dictatorial leadership.
These characteristics may be present in populism, but are much more pronounced in fascism, with Adolf Hitler representing the most extreme case, says the New York historian. “History does not repeat itself, but it is a warning sign that we are even considering this question. There is a danger that Trump will actually become as authoritarian as he wants.”
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At the epicenter of American election denialism
Why is Trump elected by US citizens?
“There are many people in the United States who are dissatisfied with the economy or the changes the country is going through. And sometimes a combination of grievances leads people to vote for an authoritarian politician,” says Finchelstein, who is at the New School for Social Research operates in New York.
His voters overlooked the fact that Trump was merely offering magic tricks to solve real problems – and that he “considers his will to be more important than reality.”
Are his followers extremists?
A big problem is that Trump’s core voters have now apparently gotten used to his right-wing extremist rhetoric, says Finchelstein. “The real problem is the way in which this extremism becomes normalized in society, often in the media, but ultimately also among voters,” says the historian. “This used to belong in the political poison cabinet, but now suddenly it’s no longer the case.”
The public is dealing with a candidate who is planning mass deportations because, in his opinion, migrants bring “bad genes” into the country. “This is definitely extreme.”
How far would Trump go if he won the election?
“We are dealing with a would-be fascist. But the question remains to what extent he will be able to do all the things he would like to do,” says Finchelstein. The fact that the outcome of the election will be close is “the result of the crisis of American democracy.”
The historian points to the example of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who, after his election defeat in his country in 2022, initiated a scenario similar to that of Trump in the USA in 2020.
Bolsonaro was found guilty of abuse of office following the attempted coup of January 2023. The Brazilian justice system deprived the right-wing extremist ex-president of his political rights for eight years, meaning he can no longer run for office.
Trump, on the other hand, has been charged but not convicted in connection with the events of January 6, 2021, when his fanatical supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington – and he can run unmolested.
“Either the justice system didn’t work here or it was too late. How can it be that someone with so many legal problems is allowed to run?” asks Fichelstein. “The January 6 uprising was technically an (attempted) coup. However, the question is how often it was even described as such.”
ePaper
**Article Summary: At the Epicenter of American Election Denialism**
The article discusses the rise of election denialism in the United States, exemplified by the actions of a Republican “county captain” and an election official who are portrayed as attempting to uphold democracy amidst the turmoil. Scholarship from historian Finchelstein highlights the broader societal factors contributing to support for figures like Donald Trump, arguing that discontent with the economy and the rapid changes in society can drive individuals towards authoritarian leaders.
**Key Points:**
1. **Support for Trump**: Many voters dissatisfied with economic conditions or societal changes have turned to Trump, who offers simplistic solutions to complex issues, valuing his personal will over factual reality.
2. **Normalization of Extremism**: Trump’s rhetoric has become normalized, turning extremist views into a more acceptable part of political discourse, which poses a significant concern for democracy.
3. **Extremist Policies**: The public encounters a leader proposing extreme measures, such as mass deportations based on harmful stereotypes about migrants, indicating a troubling shift in societal norms.
4. **Potential Consequences of Trump’s Reelection**: Experts warn that should Trump win another election, his authoritarian inclinations could pose a real threat to American democracy, drawing comparisons to the political crisis in Brazil following Bolsonaro’s electoral defeat.
5. **Justice and Political Accountability**: The article raises questions about the integrity of the justice system, as Trump remains a candidate despite significant legal challenges connected to the January 6 Capitol riots, further complicating the narrative around accountability for political leaders.
The discussion emphasizes the precarious state of democracy in the U.S., with implications of extreme political ideologies and the challenges posed by figures who prioritize power over democratic principles.