Even political movements can have a visual identity. The word "fascist" has been thrown around a lot since The Gold Shithead, aka President A$$hole, Donald Trump defied all rational understanding of reality, by becoming President of the United States of America.
Let's look at the exact definition of "fascist" to see if it truly applies:
Fascism:
1. a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2. a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control
If we take these definitions at face value, then yes, Donald Trump is the very definition of a fucking fascist:
Trump is the militaristic "law & order" candidate, despite never having actually served the country in any way at all • he thinks that he alone is the solution to all the country's problems • he absolutely cannot tolerate opposition or criticism in any form • dismissal by his administration of any news or information that contradicts their assertions as "fake" • he favors nationalist rhetoric over the idea of personal freedom • he is already creating a government "for-the rich-by-the-rich", that increases the already unacceptable gap between ultra-wealthy & the poor • he thinks he can just sign executive orders & do whatever he wants, with no checks or balances • and most of all, he fosters a devotional cult of personality where he seeks constant adoration.
I could go on & on, but I think this pretty well sums it up.
Since sometimes visual symbolism is more effective than words, I decided to make a graphic comparison using "The Fascist Color Palette"- consisting of black, red, & white.
These colors subconsciously represent danger and power. They were used most notably by the Nazi Party, and also by George Lucas in Star Wars to visually define The Galactic Empire- controlled by the quintessential fascist dictator, Emperor Palpatine and his fellow Sith Lord, Darth Vader.
It just so happens that these colors, including the black suit, white shirt, & "red power tie" make up the common wardrobe of Donald Trump, as well. Is it just a coincidence? Maybe. I'm just pointing out the obvious similarity. It's up to Trump & his administration to prove me wrong. Unfortunately, I'm not confident at all that he will...
(click to enlarge)
... and yes, I realize that other Presidents and leaders have wore this color combination. Any position of power, including the U.S. Presidency dances around the boundaries of fascism and authoritarianism. However, this has become Trump's signature look, and he has already tried recklessly stomping over that boundary, in a way that makes his administration's intentions clear. They would love a Trump™ Dictatorship with no opposition. The only things stopping them are the genius of our system of check's and balances, the free press, and the the resistance of the American people who didn't vote for this stain on our country's history.
excellent article! thanks
ReplyDeleteThis is a horrible article, Hillary wore black and red also. Btw I didn't vote for either Just saying this is stupid
ReplyDeleteIt is always interesting to me how rarely in this day in age do people, particularly Americans, leave out the second and equal partner of the totalitarian government when defining Fascism: the corporations.
ReplyDeleteActual fascism has most to do with the government controlling and suppressing the general population for the sake of the industrialists and financiers who reward the government officials for insuring the cheapest labor source possible, by plying them with bribes, known in the USA today as lobbying, and stroking the egos of the toads in office to satisfy their delusions of grandeur. Since the term fascism was invented in the early 1900s, every fascist state has depended upon this evil arrangement.
What we are seeing now in America, with the fossil fuel industry's unholy marriage with the military arms industry and the American government exists very much along these same lines. All that was missing was a small-minded headman with the narcissistic sociopathology to step into the dictator's boots.
Lmao, there's so many erroneous presuppositions and false equivalences here it's comical.
ReplyDelete>Trump is the militaristic "law & order" candidate, despite never having actually served the country in any way at all
That's just Republicans, nothing new with Trump.
>he thinks that he alone is the solution to all the country's problems
Same with teenage communists.
>he absolutely cannot tolerate opposition or criticism in any form
True, but he never used his authority to clamp down on such issues. No fascism here.
>dismissal by his administration of any news or information that contradicts their assertions as "fake"
True, but the same is true of previous admininistrations.
>he favors nationalist rhetoric over the idea of personal freedom
Patently false.
>he is already creating a government "for-the rich-by-the-rich", that increases the already unacceptable gap between ultra-wealthy & the poor
Wasn't that Obama? And anyway, that's just Oligarchal.
>he thinks he can just sign executive orders & do whatever he wants, with no checks or balances
Kinda true.
>he fosters a devotional cult of personality where he seeks constant adoration.
Not with how self-depricating he is.