Historian Federico Finchelstein analyzes Donald Trump’s behavior during the U.S. presidential campaign in his book, “The Wannabe Fascists.” He argues that Trump exemplifies an extreme form of populism bordering on fascism, characterized by political violence, propaganda, xenophobia, and authoritarian leadership. Finchelstein believes that Trump’s supporters are increasingly desensitized to his far-right rhetoric, leading to normalization of extremism. He raises concerns about the implications of a potential Trump victory, comparing his situation to that of Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro after his electoral defeat.
Federico Finchelstein, a historian specializing in extremism and fascism, has analyzed the U.S. presidential campaign. He recently published a book titled “The Wannabe Fascists – A Guide to Understanding the Greatest Threat to Democracy.”
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In an interview with the AFP news agency, Finchelstein shares insights on the behavior of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, noting that he originally entered politics as a populist but has gradually become more extreme.
How Extreme is Trump?
“He represents an extreme version of populism that edges towards fascism,” says Finchelstein. The historian identifies four key elements of fascism: political violence, propaganda and misinformation, xenophobia, and dictatorial leadership.
While these traits may exist within populism, they are much more pronounced in fascism, with Adolf Hitler being the most extreme example, explains the New York-based historian. “History does not repeat itself, but it is a warning sign that we are considering this question at all. There is a danger that Trump could indeed become as authoritarian as he desires.”
Why Do Americans Vote for Trump?
“There are many people in the United States who are dissatisfied with the economy or the changes happening in the country. Often, a combination of grievances leads people to elect an authoritarian leader,” says Finchelstein, who works at the New School for Social Research in New York.
His supporters overlook the fact that Trump offers mere illusions to solve real problems, believing that he “considers his will more important than reality.”
Are His Supporters Extremists?
According to Finchelstein, a significant issue is that Trump’s core supporters seem to have become accustomed to his right-wing extremist rhetoric. “The real problem is how this extremism becomes normalized in society, often through the media, but ultimately among voters,” he notes. “What once belonged in the political poison cabinet is no longer treated that way.”
The public is encountering a candidate who plans mass deportations because he believes migrants bring “bad genes” into the country. “That is definitely extreme.”
How Far Would Trump Go if Elected?
“We are dealing with a wannabe fascist. The question remains to what extent he will be able to execute all the things he wishes to do,” states Finchelstein. The tightness of the election results reflects “the crisis of American democracy.”
The historian points to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who stirred up a similar situation in 2022 after his election defeat, akin to Trump’s actions in 2020 in the U.S.
Bolsonaro was found guilty of misconduct following the attempted coup in January 2023 and was barred from running for office for eight years due to the Brazilian judiciary’s ruling against him.
In contrast, Trump has been charged in relation to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by his fervent supporters, yet he has not been convicted and is free to run for office.
“Either the justice system has failed here, or it was too late. How can someone with so many legal problems be allowed to campaign?” questions Finchelstein. “The events of January 6 were technically a (failed) coup. The question is how often it has even been referred to as such.”