Woman shot and killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota

It’s not deflection at all, it’s key to this fascist accusation in your own interpretation above on this thread, where you use the word dictator. The American people voted for him ( twice) and very many of them like his America first ethos. He won’t be able to stand for a third term but it’s a possibility that the Republicans are elected again, it’s the people’s choice who live there. (Oreo Mon 12-Jan-26 11:14:15)

Whether Trump was elected is not the issue. Fascism and authoritarianism are defined by how power is exercised, not how it is initially acquired. Many historically authoritarian leaders were elected. The relevant question is whether Trump’s behavior - his attacks on elections, courts, the press, and constraints on executive power - aligns with recognised fascistic or authoritarian patterns. Dismissing that discussion by pointing to electoral victory avoids the substance of the claim rather than addressing it.

Just to clarify this is my simply written description of fascism.

1. Personalist strongman leadership

2. Ultranationalism (“real people” vs internal enemies)

3. Disdain for democratic norms and constraints

4. Delegitimisation of the press, courts, and elections

5. Fusion of state power with loyal elites

6. Use or encouragement of political violence

7. Myth of national decline and promised restoration

ronib

Any guesses as to why Powell won’t cut the interest rate? Who is he protecting? Or not?

I think Powell is keeping interest rates high because it is the dominant neoclassical/neoliberal/ monetarist solution to inflation.

It's a ridiculous thing to do when inflation isn't caused by what is known in lay terms as ;too much money chasing too few goods'. But it's the only response to inflation that orthodox Central bankers are prepared to use.

It naturally benefits all those who 'invest' their money to get a good return on it; so that's mostly already wealthy people who have plenty of money to speculate with invest, but it is bad for those who have to pay more interest on loans, such as mortgages or business loans. It depresses rather than stimulates the economy.

Thank you MaizieD. So for any president to attempt a rethink of this particular policy has to be an improvement? Even if the name is Trump?

DAR 13.50 👍

A democratic election describes the way a leader is elected. Said leader then chooses their mode and style of leadership.

I challenge those that disagree Trump is authoritarian and showing fascist tendencies to define the following leadership styles:
1) democratic
2) authoritarian
3) fascist.

Then describe their view of Trump’s leadership/ governing style with examples

petra

Starfire57
Surely you must realise that these Anchor babies have been subsidising your cheap food through their low paid long hours jobs.

www.ilr.cornell.edu/mobilizing-against-inequality/post/five-ways-undocumented-immigrants-are-powering-american-economy

What does anchor babies have to do with anything e crept your personal obsession. Derailment of thread.

petra

Starfire57
Surely you must realise that these Anchor babies have been subsidising your cheap food through their low paid long hours jobs.

www.ilr.cornell.edu/mobilizing-against-inequality/post/five-ways-undocumented-immigrants-are-powering-american-economy

Wouldn't Trump's father be known as an "anchor baby" now?
Must admit, I'd never heard of the term before this thread.

Syracute

petra

Starfire57
Surely you must realise that these Anchor babies have been subsidising your cheap food through their low paid long hours jobs.

www.ilr.cornell.edu/mobilizing-against-inequality/post/five-ways-undocumented-immigrants-are-powering-american-economy

What does anchor babies have to do with anything e crept your personal obsession. Derailment of thread.

Whose obsession?

Surely this has rather a lot to do with the subject matter?
Immigration?
ICE = U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It’s on target for the thread subject matter, but I guess calling it a personal obsession is simply an insult when the poster has run out of counter arguments.

'Frenzies'? Are you talking about Trump's incoherent, nocturnal ramblings on his misnamed Truth Social?

The meaning of fascism is sadly still clear.

I wouldn’t call Trump a fascist at all, but then I don’t see them around every corner as some do.
He’s narcissistic in my view and a typical businessman which isn’t always the best for a politician! He’s a Republican with some strong views and an overweaning sense of his own worth but Hitler he isn’t.

I read a very good article in the Financial Times the other day about whether or not Trump can be defined as a fascist.
www.ft.com/content/36107e28-efc8-4fb8-8283-1cd2f312f2ff

Oreo

I wouldn’t call Trump a fascist at all, but then I don’t see them around every corner as some do.
He’s narcissistic in my view and a typical businessman which isn’t always the best for a politician! He’s a Republican with some strong views and an overweaning sense of his own worth but Hitler he isn’t.

Not a typical business man, deal with him and you will get screwed, there are plenty of ways to make money without dealing with crooks. He is not someone you can trust, ideal qualifications for politics

Thanks Casdon, for the link, but it wants me to subscribe.
In summary, what does that publication believe?

Yes, again, David.
Also, not typical, in that he has gone bankrupt a few times, or was that just a ploy to avoid payments?
And some folk still believe he is good for the country.

You can override the subscription, it let me just scroll down below the box asking you to sign up, so I could read the article. The conclusion is that Trump most equates in the way he operates to a Mafia boss.

David49

Oreo

I wouldn’t call Trump a fascist at all, but then I don’t see them around every corner as some do.
He’s narcissistic in my view and a typical businessman which isn’t always the best for a politician! He’s a Republican with some strong views and an overweaning sense of his own worth but Hitler he isn’t.

Not a typical business man, deal with him and you will get screwed, there are plenty of ways to make money without dealing with crooks. He is not someone you can trust, ideal qualifications for politics

Well he does like a deal 😜

A Mafia boss. Thanks Casdon. I have heard that description before.

Maremia

Yes, again, David.
Also, not typical, in that he has gone bankrupt a few times, or was that just a ploy to avoid payments?
And some folk still believe he is good for the country.

Strange how people overlook his bankruptcies. Or the fact that he’s only where he is now thanks to his father’s money. And that wasn’t earned very scrupulously I believe?

It's ana interesting article, Casdon. But It's pointing out that Trump uses fascist techniques to attach his followers, as (Uberto) Eco points out

Eco, the multi-faceted scholar who spent his childhood in Mussolini’s Italy, drew up a general checklist of features of “Ur-Fascism”. Trump has been ticking them off. He regularly treats disagreement as “treason”, and leads what Eco calls “the cult of action for action’s sake”.

(I won't copy more as the FT does have a paywall)

Thomas Weber (who concludes he's more like a Mafia boss) might point out points of difference, but I think that the use of fascist methodology is significant as it is that which creates his following, without which he would not be President.

I'm posting a gift link to the article, but it can only be activated 3 times, so first come, first served...

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/008d0d69-2007-4bad-b887-0b23e81761c7

Maremia

A Mafia boss. Thanks Casdon. I have heard that description before.

I don’t think the mafia would have him, they have a code of honor

ronib

Thank you MaizieD. So for any president to attempt a rethink of this particular policy has to be an improvement? Even if the name is Trump?

I checked this with Chatgtp. My brief analysis was along the right lines, I just didn't take it as far.

Here is AI's response

Start

Donald Trump has pushed the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates for a few interconnected economic and political reasons. The core logic is fairly straightforward, but the motivations overlap.

1. Faster economic growth
Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper for businesses and consumers. Trump has consistently argued that cheaper credit:

Encourages companies to invest and expand

Makes mortgages, car loans, and credit cards cheaper

Boosts consumer spending

All of this can raise GDP growth and lower unemployment—metrics he often points to as proof of economic success.

2. Stronger stock market
Lower rates tend to push investors toward stocks rather than bonds, which can drive equity prices higher. Trump has frequently treated stock market performance as a public scoreboard for the economy, so rate cuts support that narrative.

3. Cheaper government borrowing
The U.S. government carries a very large national debt. Lower interest rates reduce the cost of servicing that debt, easing pressure on federal finances—especially when deficits are high.

4. A weaker dollar helps exporters
Higher interest rates usually strengthen the U.S. dollar. Trump has often complained that a strong dollar hurts American manufacturers and exporters by making U.S. goods more expensive overseas. Lower rates can weaken the dollar and make exports more competitive.

5. Political incentives
Presidents generally benefit from short-term economic strength, especially heading into elections. While the Fed is designed to be independent, Trump openly favored looser monetary policy because it supported near-term growth rather than long-term inflation control.

6. Different view of inflation risk
Trump has repeatedly argued that inflation risks were overstated and that the Fed was being “too tight.” From his perspective, the economy could run hotter without triggering dangerous inflation.

End

It grieves me to say it, of course, but I think that Trump is thinking on the right lines to benefit diverse sections of the population.

Incidentally, I think that the Bank of England should be reducing interest rates for some of the same reasons

Allira

Syracute

petra

Starfire57
Surely you must realise that these Anchor babies have been subsidising your cheap food through their low paid long hours jobs.

www.ilr.cornell.edu/mobilizing-against-inequality/post/five-ways-undocumented-immigrants-are-powering-american-economy

What does anchor babies have to do with anything e crept your personal obsession. Derailment of thread.

Whose obsession?

Surely this has rather a lot to do with the subject matter?
Immigration?
ICE = U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But not just about immigration policy as abstract law, it’s about how that policy is enacted in real life, on this occasion with life-or-death consequences. It's broader than the focus you suggest. Discussions about Trump, his Presidential style, law enforcement, and immigration enforcement are all relevant.

Oreo

I wouldn’t call Trump a fascist at all, but then I don’t see them around every corner as some do.
He’s narcissistic in my view and a typical businessman which isn’t always the best for a politician! He’s a Republican with some strong views and an overweaning sense of his own worth but Hitler he isn’t.

Simply cannot agree! Wanting to buy countries who are not for sale, when rebuffed threatens to invade take what he wants by force? Clearly doesn’t like various nationalities, derides disabled people, puts children in separate detentions to their parents, signs dozens and dozens executive orders in a short period of time and also incites hatred? Spreads propaganda?

Sounds quite like Hitler!

No it doesn't.