THE FADE OF FASCISM DISCOURSE
Recently, journalist Glenn Greenwald posed a thought-provoking question on social media: “Is there anyone in Washington or the media who genuinely believes that Adolf Hitler is poised to take control in two weeks, dismantling American democracy and establishing a fascist regime?” This inquiry invites us to reflect on the current political climate.
A Surprising Normalcy Post-Election
The transition period following Donald Trump’s election has unfolded with an air of normalcy. The president-elect is actively engaged in formulating policy initiatives and assembling his team. As expected, Democrats are voicing their opposition and vowing to challenge some of Trump’s appointees during confirmation processes. However, this typical partisan friction starkly contrasts with the intense rhetoric that characterized the campaign season.
Echoes of Past Accusations
Recall how Vice President Kamala Harris labeled Trump as a fascist. Prominent figures like former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman also echoed similar sentiments, while media personalities such as Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski joined in condemning him. Various articles from respected publications have explored this theme extensively; for instance, The New Yorker questioned what it meant for Trump to be labeled a fascist, while The Atlantic drew parallels between his rhetoric and that of historical dictators like Hitler and Mussolini.
Rallies Under Scrutiny
Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden became a focal point for discussions surrounding fascism and Nazism. Leading up to this event, commentators frequently likened it to the notorious Nazi rally held there in 1939. Hillary Clinton even suggested on CNN that Trump was “essentially reenacting” that infamous gathering.
Polls Reflecting Public Sentiment
The discourse reached such extremes that ABC News conducted a poll asking voters if they considered any 2024 candidates as fascists. Results revealed that 44% identified Trump as a fascist, while 18% pointed fingers at Harris; only 32% correctly asserted neither were fascists—a clear indication of how diluted the term had become amidst rampant accusations.
A Turning Point?
Looking back at when these polls were released—October 25—it seems evident this marked an inflection point where discussions about fascism lost their potency. If significant portions of voters began labeling major-party candidates as fascists without substantial evidence or context, then perhaps the term itself had been rendered meaningless through overuse.
Disappearance After Election Day
Following Trump’s electoral victory—where he not only secured enough electoral votes but also garnered popular support—the fervor around accusations dissipated rapidly. Many began questioning what all those extreme claims had truly signified just days prior.
Motivations Behind Rhetoric
Ultimately, these discussions centered around defeating Trump politically; when those efforts fell short after his win, they left many feeling embarrassed—especially those who had vocally branded him with such severe labels just weeks earlier. Notably, shortly after calling Trump’s rally “Nazi-like,” Scarborough and Brzezinski sought out an audience with him at Mar-a-Lago—a move suggesting they wished to engage with him more like any other political figure rather than someone embodying their previous characterizations.
Business As Usual Amidst Alarmism
Greenwald’s observations highlight how few seem genuinely concerned about impending doom despite earlier alarm bells ringing loudly across various platforms regarding Trump’s presidency leading into office—most politicians are now preoccupied debating legislative strategies rather than contemplating apocalyptic scenarios involving dictatorship or white supremacy taking root overnight.
Assessing Political Discourse Damage
The ramifications stemming from this exaggerated discourse surrounding alleged authoritarianism remain difficult to quantify fully today but may become clearer over time; however we can already see reputational damage inflicted upon numerous individuals within media circles who allowed themselves to be swept away by hyperbole concerning Trump’s presidency.
In recent comments made by radio host Hugh Hewitt regarding anti-Trump sentiment among journalists post-election results indicated widespread disrespect towards them due largely because they failed spectacularly against someone whom they deemed unworthy yet ultimately triumphed electorally against all odds.
Graduated from University of Denver, Residing in Dallas, Texas. Political observer and a Conservative. Follow on Twitter for more.