The fascisation of the U.S. is encountering repeated setbacks and is advancing with difficulty. Trump has taken several steps toward adopting reactionary policies, but these measures have backfired.
Details. Project 2025 promotes the “unitary executive theory,” which seeks to concentrate power in the hands of the President. It also advances reactionary, hardline positions on women’s rights, immigration, race, and the environment. Although Trump has publicly disavowed the project, he has brought many of its authors into government.
►Trump has disregarded court orders, threatened to impeach judges, and issued an executive order that directs the prosecution of any local elected officials who obstruct the duties of law enforcement.
►He has adopted a more aggressive stance on immigration — having said he wanted to deport 15 million people — and bypassed local state governments by deploying the military to quell protests.
►His term has also seen increased support for far-right parties, particularly in Europe.
►In June, Trump’s approval rating fell to 38%. At the same time, he lost influence among sections of the capitalist class, largely due to the instability caused by his tariffs, even prompting a temporary falling-out with his biggest donor, Elon Musk.
Context. Imperialist powers are intensifying efforts to redivide the world, challenging the U.S. hegemony established after the Cold War. The U.S. decline is shown by the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, Russia’s "Special Military Operation", and de-dollarisation attempts.
► Trump has emerged to represent the interests of capitalists who advocate leveraging the U.S. economy to subjugate other nations, even long-term allies, and moving towards protectionism as a means to reassert themselves. Domestically, they advocate centralising power, increasing militarism, and using culture wars to further divide workers and intensify exploitation.
►Fascism emerges when the capitalist class of a given nation deems capitalist democracy and diplomacy to be inadequate for defending exploitation and profits. Openly terroristic steps are taken to secure its domestic rule and reassert itself internationally during times of crisis, war, economic difficulty and/or increased revolutionary sentiment among the working class.
Important to Know. Trump’s actions were too hasty and frightened ordinary Americans, failing to convince them of an existential threat to the U.S. that would justify further reaction. The brazenness of his actions along with his negotiating tactics have also led to a negative impact on the U.S. market, turning away some capitalists.
►U.S. tariffs have prompted other nations to gravitate towards other imperialist powers and led to a deceleration of economic growth and trade. Plans to isolate China have failed, and the new trade deal between the two powers has provided no significant gains. Trump has also failed to secure promised peace deals in Ukraine and Palestine. Even the crackdown on immigration has been scaled back after American farmers and hotel businesses claimed it was hurting their businesses.
►Presently, America does not have a disciplined, organised, militant fascist party. The Republican Party, despite representing a more conservative wing of capitalism, is still intended to operate within a capitalist democracy.