By John Q. Hosedrinker Why aren’t we talking about Trump’s fascism? It’s a question that seems to hang in the air, lingering without a clear answer. But perhaps the more pressing question should be, why isn’t the media talking about it? The truth is, the media has a crucial role in shaping public discourse and awareness, yet it seems to be failing in bringing Trump’s authoritarian tendencies to the forefront.
As someone who has been following the political landscape closely, it’s disheartening to see how the media has steered the conversation away from the looming threat of Trump’s fascism. Instead of focusing on the alarming signs of authoritarianism, the news cycle is inundated with sensationalized stories that do little to address the underlying issue at hand.
The reality is that Trump’s flirtation with fascism is not a new development. Since his candidacy in 2015, he has made numerous career-ending moves that should have raised red flags. However, the massive propaganda machine backing him has managed to distort reality and shield him from the scrutiny he deserves.
One cannot ignore the fact that fear and hate are powerful control devices. The media’s focus on immigrants, trans people, atheists, pedophiles, and liberals serves as a distraction from the growing authoritarianism within the Trump administration. It’s a classic case of misdirection, where attention is diverted away from the real threat at hand.
The complicity of American billionaires in endorsing fascism cannot be overlooked either. The erosion of regulations and worker’s rights under Trump’s rule directly benefits these wealthy elites, who seem more concerned with their stock values than the welfare of the country.
The parallels drawn between Trump’s regime and historical fascist regimes are alarming. The incremental steps towards authoritarianism are reminiscent of the gradual erosion of freedoms and rights that paved the way for past dictatorships. As Milton Meyer eloquently puts it, the burden of self-deception grows until one day, everything changes, and the world you once knew is no more.
Umberto Eco’s 14 universal traits of fascism provide further insights into the dangers lurking within Trump’s leadership. These traits should be at the forefront of public discourse, yet they seem to be overshadowed by trivial narratives about who will replace Biden.
It’s clear that the media’s complicity in downplaying Trump’s fascist tendencies is a worrying trend. The vested interests of media corporations and their focus on profit over public good have led to a dangerous normalization of authoritarianism.
As individuals, it’s our responsibility to keep this conversation alive. We must engage with others, raise awareness, and ensure that the threat of fascism under Trump’s reign is not swept under the rug. The stakes are too high, and the consequences of staying silent are dire.
In conclusion, why aren’t we talking about Trump’s fascism? Perhaps it’s time we start asking the difficult questions, confronting the uncomfortable truths, and taking a stand against the creeping authoritarianism that threatens to engulf our democracy. The power lies in our hands to shape the narrative, and it’s up to us to ensure that the specter of fascism is not normalized or ignored.