Thank you, Ruth. I sealed my ballot with a kiss a couple of days ago. While many have failed us - media, the superrich - I have faith that the common person, with deep roots in shared humanity, will defeat Trump. I'm personally predicting a landslide win for Kamala and Tim, well over 300 electoral votes. The poll porn is absurd. I feel more confident this election than any other in the 21st Century. And we have leaders like you and many others. We have a lot of work to do building a truly democratic society, but I think we can pass this litmus test for growth. Stay true, phonebank, and remember the joy, love, and hope that makes us human. We can and will vote against hate.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat: The NYT ran an illuminating story on just how dangerous are Trump's deportation program and large internment camps.
By now, everyone should have heard of Trump's admiration for Hitler and his adoption of "Blut und Erde" (Blood and Soil). Trump/Vance take the incendiary Blood-Libel ("Jews steal your kids and EAT them in rituals" -- race-baiting that resulted in hundreds of pogroms throughout the centuries) to lawful Haitian immigrants ("Haitians steal pets and EAT them in Voodoo rituals"), which has resulted in violence and major disruption in Springfield, Ohio.
So the question is: As we dissent now, how SAFE will it be to dissent in a Trump/Vance Principate?
Even more frightening was Timothy Snyder's video, "Deportation Nation". It made my skin crawl. I sent it to everyone I know who might even consider voting for Trump, which includes members of my extended family, unfortunately, as well as like-minded friends and family. It was deeply upsetting. 10 million immigrants to be deported and that could even include one of us. Is this election even close? I read somewhere that people don't like hearing Harris badmouth Trump. I read both The NY Times this evening and The Washington Post. They both have anti-Harris tropes in their articles, which made me so upset. Negative connotations towards Harris. Are they kidding?? To me, there isn't even a contest, and I would guess that is like-minded thinking among many of the lucidities here.
Armand - If they steal the election I don't think we will be safe. I think it was the last Lucid Q&A where we discussed when to become expats and whether that would put people beyond the reach of a Trump DOJ. There are no easy answers.
I left a few years ago. I still vote, protest, and argue, both in my new home and my old, for basic rights (as a trans person), but at least in Canada I don’t have to be afraid of being gunned down in my place of work. I’ve lived in three cities in the US that all had major shootings while I lived there (Littleton, Charleston, Buffalo). The fact the US won’t do a thing about gun violence was the last straw for me.
Jason Orcamoon: So many good comments from Joanne Denis and you.
The Timothy Snyder audio is terrifying and sobering.
I am convinced Timothy Snyder sees the situation accurately, which includes an environment of massive denunciations as in the former Third Reich and Communist East Germany.
An unexpected feature of the NYT Article about Americans moving abroad was those afraid of Kamala Harris and the Democrats!
I could hardly believe my eyes. Some of the Americans were fleeing Kamala Harris or a Democratic Administration for reasons that parallel my own fear were Trump and the Republicans elected!
A good number were freeing the potential Fascist state of Trump.
As you point out, gun violence is nothing less than an all consuming epidemic of hatred and violence in America that snuffs out beautiful and innocent life.
There is a parallel and a symmetry in the fear of one side for another.
These times are phenomenal and very strange.
I am bilingual with the German language.
From my own experience, the mania is not unique to America, and I don't find a home abroad. I have deep relationships among people extending two score years, and have found conspiracy theories abroad that are as radical and racist as here.
Our peace in ourselves cannot depend upon the State of the Country.
We have to find peace and goodness within.
No matter who wins, we continue the fight for justice and for civil liberties.
Even with a victory for Kamala Harris, Jim Crow is alive and dangerous in Texas, Florida, and Alabama.
Even with a Kamala Harris Presidency we must continue the fight against race-baiting, white supremacy, and the consequential Jim Crow that co-exists with us now, even now in the Administration of Biden/Harris that Biden/Harris are trying to fight.
They need us.
Were Trump/Vance to win, we have to continue the fight with more determination and with courage.
We have to build within ourselves the strength against any of the gales and squalls of the American polity.
We do that by intellectual and spiritual strength within.
I won't find Paradise in Germany's Rhineland Palatinate -- die Rheinpfalz -- even though i am bilingual and the Pfalz is my second homeland.
We find Paradise inside.
Our intellect and spiritual life lie in one's reflections in Philosophy, in epistemology, and in a philosophy propounded by the great German poet Friedrich Hölderlin to his close friends Friedrich Schelling and GWF Hegel: Ἓν καὶ Πᾶν (hen kai pan) -- "All-Einheit" -- i.e., we are all part of the One Cosmos, we merge into the One.
Hölderlin said:
"Eines zu sein mit Allem, das ist Leben der Gottheit, das ist der Himmel des Menschen.
"Eines zu sein mit Allem, was lebt, in seliger Selbstvergessenheit wiederzukehren ins All der Natur, das ist der Gipfel der Gedanken und Freuden, das ist die heilige Bergeshöhe".
Translated (by me):
"To be One with All, that is Life in Divinity, the heaven of mankind.
"To be one with All that lives, in blessed self-forgetfulness to return to the All in Nature -- that is the peak of Thought, Joy, that is the Holy Mountaintop . . ."
Armand - As I have explored the world I have found a major difference with the US: the number of guns. With around 120 guns per 100 people and around 15,000,000 AR-15 type assault rifles we are living in a country with active shooter drills in schools and mass shootings out the wazoo. That leaves out the number of domestic disputes, suicides, road rage, disagreements, etc, that end in violence because of the presence of a gun. Our police are out gunned, and, when they show up at a scene and there are many civilians with guns they have no idea who are the "good guys with a gun". Open carry of AR-15s terrorizes me.
We have a chance to fix things with a Harris/Walz administration. If Trump/Vance steal this election I think we are screwed.
"Why should lesser beings decide the fate of the strongman, who alone can lead the nation to greatness?"
This is such a classic psychopathic/sociopathic sentiment of the strongman. That degree of grandiosity is truly toxic in any society. The great bamboozle is when these monsters can convince the electorate that their lunatic leader is normal. tRump has done this with most of the GOP.
I think we have been too gentle with Trump for too long. He is a fascist and those around him, like the industry leaders and military who supported Hitler and Mussolini, are happy to have such an autocrat who will do their bidding. The real question for me is what has happened to millions of Americans who are going to vote for this man. And even if Harris wins (please), they will still be here with their warped views and authoritarian personalities.
Antonia - When Kamala was on Fox and BB asked her that question my hope was that her answer would have been something like: Well Bret, because Fox, OAN, Newsmax, X, etc, have been lying to your audiences for years and your $787.7 million loss didn't even slow you down!
Thanks as always, Ruth. On another topic, the 5 undecided voters at the CNN Town Hall last night who agreed to stay and be interviewed, all strongly disapproved of Kamala's reminder of Gen Kelly's and other national security advisors' statements that Trump is a fascist and a danger to the country-discribed her warning as "negativity" "high schoool bullying" and the equivalent of Trump's name calling! Clearly Trump's fascisitic rhetoric has become normalized-but if these voters feel this way- can you speak to how one can break through it to educate the population about the existential threat that should be influencing their votes in this election?
I had not heard about this, so I'm glad you put the information out there. Those people's reaction is both disgusting and scary. I can't comprehend how anyone can see her as a bully.
Susan - I think that is the misogyny speaking: Men are strong and powerful when they call out such things but women cannot. Why has the USA fallen so far behind?
Very interesting, Jason. I'm always interested to hear your point of view. I think misogyny is a sign of weakness, a sign that they fear strong women. And Kamala Harris is a very strong, competent woman. I think that as a country we have always been invested in the "importance" of white men. I've been reading America: The Nation That Never Was by Kermit Roosevelt III, and the centrality of white men a point I've picked up from that book.
Susan - Misogyny is absolutely a sign of weakness. Lazy and/or dumb men need an excuse when a woman, black, oriental, brown, "lesser" person does better than them earning money, finding love, etc. They felt President Obama was their last straw and now they are facing Kamala. INCELs must arise to defeat this threat! These are very dangerous times. 5-15 November is critical: can they be prevented when they attempt to stop vote counts? I sure hope so.
Jason, I think white women are most likely a problem, too, if they are strong and competent. The one thing that gives me hope with regard to stopping vote counts is Marc Elias and Democracy Docket - they are on top of all of this stuff and ready to file law suits at the drop of a hat. They have been very good at winning their law suits.
Actually didn’t come across as “disgusting” coming from these earnest and seemingly sincere 20-45+ year olds. Instead, it seemed to be a disgust and rejection of the anger, negativity and partisanship in politics, but had them unable to hear the difference between Trump’s name-calling and a 911 call-out.
There is a difference between tRump's actual name calling and Kamala speaking the truth about tRump by calling him a fascist. It's a false equivalency to equate the two. The five undecided voters were doing that. tRump "name calls" as hyperbolic punishment. Harris states facts.
"One day later, U.S. Rep. Keith Self — a West Point graduate who represents a district north and northeast of Dallas — wrote Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids, the academy superintendent, and demanded that she cancel the lecture."
Almost a year ago I emailed POTUS & VPOTUS and recommended they polygraph Secret Service, DOD officers, etc, and identify extreme right threats. Hope they listened.
"After President Jair Bolsonaro lost the 2022 election, he decided to try and replicate the Donald Trump playbook, claiming that the election was rigged and planning an insurrection for January. Stephen Bannon and Jason Miller were among his advisors."
Bannon and Miller, Coup Consultants, Inc.
We should build a faux website and Linkedin page for the two dirty rotten Scoundrels!
The clip within that interview showing tRump supporters in AZ was classic. Those with zero wisdom went right down the fascist rabbit hole. It's the great bamboozle.
Ruth - I have incredible admiration for you. Your knowledge of strongman and fascism has been invaluable to us during this period.
However, since military leaders have come out en mass to warn against Trump and some of the corporate media is finally covering it - I have come to realize that many of the younger people who fall into the Trump base - Don’t Know what Fascism even is!!
I live among the Trump base, including a couple cultist’s. Many did not complete high school. Some don’t even have the facts of WW2 straight.
And they DEFINITELY don’t understand what the difference between fascism, Marxism, communism, etc.
They never were taught history or civics or “government” as was standard “back in the day”. I believe it’s part of the reason Trump and his media can throw this dis/misinformation at them and they believe it.
Mussolini, even Hitler only mean to them what they have heard from people here. White supremacist’s mostly.
To break through, a different “story” must be used to convey What MAGA plans to do. I pretty certain that once MAGA attempts to actually implement Project 2025 at a level that will affect them - there will be violence with all those guns available.
The violence will play right into the plans of our external enemies/ opponents - Russia, North Korea,China and the others forming the block Russia is forming.
Your last statement is a crucial part of our situation. Violence has always been their goal and I find it very disturbing how much "the moneyed class" has assisted in this goal =/
Our oligarchs were overjoyed with neoliberal economics, even though they knew it would ruin the working class. Then, the angry working class revolts and chooses tRump and his fascism. I believe that most of our oligarchs want fascism here.
I admit that I’m confused. I understand Trump’s proximity to fascism (though I don’t believe he comprehends its political theory) … but what befuddles me is that unlike Il Duce (or young Adolph for that matter), Trump is the exact opposite of charismatic. A blatant liar and blowhard, a bigot and misogynist, a sexist and sexual predator—yes; but persuasive? Attractive? Endearing? How can a bad bully have such an enormous entourage?
Right on!!! FACTS!!!!!!! Big facts!!!!!
send the video link!!!
Thank you, Ruth. I sealed my ballot with a kiss a couple of days ago. While many have failed us - media, the superrich - I have faith that the common person, with deep roots in shared humanity, will defeat Trump. I'm personally predicting a landslide win for Kamala and Tim, well over 300 electoral votes. The poll porn is absurd. I feel more confident this election than any other in the 21st Century. And we have leaders like you and many others. We have a lot of work to do building a truly democratic society, but I think we can pass this litmus test for growth. Stay true, phonebank, and remember the joy, love, and hope that makes us human. We can and will vote against hate.
MOSF 19.18: Trump v. Harris: Catastrophizing the Electorate v. Reason, Growth, and Change (closing argument of a psychiatrist for Kamala Harris and the American People) https://eastwindezine.com/mosf-19-18-trump-v-harris-catastrophizing-the-electorate-v-reason-growth-and-change/
❤️ We vote against hate! ❤️
Listening to your message now Dr Chandra!
Thank you!
Thank you :) -- Ravi
LOL! Tommy Tuberville has all the answers, again! How could that man ever win an election? Shame on AL!
Good question for Professor Vance!
Ruth Ben-Ghiat: The NYT ran an illuminating story on just how dangerous are Trump's deportation program and large internment camps.
By now, everyone should have heard of Trump's admiration for Hitler and his adoption of "Blut und Erde" (Blood and Soil). Trump/Vance take the incendiary Blood-Libel ("Jews steal your kids and EAT them in rituals" -- race-baiting that resulted in hundreds of pogroms throughout the centuries) to lawful Haitian immigrants ("Haitians steal pets and EAT them in Voodoo rituals"), which has resulted in violence and major disruption in Springfield, Ohio.
So the question is: As we dissent now, how SAFE will it be to dissent in a Trump/Vance Principate?
Even more frightening was Timothy Snyder's video, "Deportation Nation". It made my skin crawl. I sent it to everyone I know who might even consider voting for Trump, which includes members of my extended family, unfortunately, as well as like-minded friends and family. It was deeply upsetting. 10 million immigrants to be deported and that could even include one of us. Is this election even close? I read somewhere that people don't like hearing Harris badmouth Trump. I read both The NY Times this evening and The Washington Post. They both have anti-Harris tropes in their articles, which made me so upset. Negative connotations towards Harris. Are they kidding?? To me, there isn't even a contest, and I would guess that is like-minded thinking among many of the lucidities here.
https://snyder.substack.com/p/deportation-nation-audio?utm_source=substack&publication_id=310897&post_id=150173323&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=false&r=5k7fz&triedRedirect=true
Armand - If they steal the election I don't think we will be safe. I think it was the last Lucid Q&A where we discussed when to become expats and whether that would put people beyond the reach of a Trump DOJ. There are no easy answers.
NYT article: These Americans Want Out
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/06/realestate/american-voters-leave-us-politics.html?unlocked_article_code=1.TU4.V1AN.fpk0MDAOsj6q&smid=url-share
From the comments:
Emil
North Cackalacky
Sept. 7
I left a few years ago. I still vote, protest, and argue, both in my new home and my old, for basic rights (as a trans person), but at least in Canada I don’t have to be afraid of being gunned down in my place of work. I’ve lived in three cities in the US that all had major shootings while I lived there (Littleton, Charleston, Buffalo). The fact the US won’t do a thing about gun violence was the last straw for me.
https://www.nytimes.com/shared/comment/41mrle?rsrc=cshare&smid=url-share
Jason Orcamoon: So many good comments from Joanne Denis and you.
The Timothy Snyder audio is terrifying and sobering.
I am convinced Timothy Snyder sees the situation accurately, which includes an environment of massive denunciations as in the former Third Reich and Communist East Germany.
An unexpected feature of the NYT Article about Americans moving abroad was those afraid of Kamala Harris and the Democrats!
I could hardly believe my eyes. Some of the Americans were fleeing Kamala Harris or a Democratic Administration for reasons that parallel my own fear were Trump and the Republicans elected!
A good number were freeing the potential Fascist state of Trump.
As you point out, gun violence is nothing less than an all consuming epidemic of hatred and violence in America that snuffs out beautiful and innocent life.
There is a parallel and a symmetry in the fear of one side for another.
These times are phenomenal and very strange.
I am bilingual with the German language.
From my own experience, the mania is not unique to America, and I don't find a home abroad. I have deep relationships among people extending two score years, and have found conspiracy theories abroad that are as radical and racist as here.
Our peace in ourselves cannot depend upon the State of the Country.
We have to find peace and goodness within.
No matter who wins, we continue the fight for justice and for civil liberties.
Even with a victory for Kamala Harris, Jim Crow is alive and dangerous in Texas, Florida, and Alabama.
Even with a Kamala Harris Presidency we must continue the fight against race-baiting, white supremacy, and the consequential Jim Crow that co-exists with us now, even now in the Administration of Biden/Harris that Biden/Harris are trying to fight.
They need us.
Were Trump/Vance to win, we have to continue the fight with more determination and with courage.
We have to build within ourselves the strength against any of the gales and squalls of the American polity.
We do that by intellectual and spiritual strength within.
I won't find Paradise in Germany's Rhineland Palatinate -- die Rheinpfalz -- even though i am bilingual and the Pfalz is my second homeland.
We find Paradise inside.
Our intellect and spiritual life lie in one's reflections in Philosophy, in epistemology, and in a philosophy propounded by the great German poet Friedrich Hölderlin to his close friends Friedrich Schelling and GWF Hegel: Ἓν καὶ Πᾶν (hen kai pan) -- "All-Einheit" -- i.e., we are all part of the One Cosmos, we merge into the One.
Hölderlin said:
"Eines zu sein mit Allem, das ist Leben der Gottheit, das ist der Himmel des Menschen.
"Eines zu sein mit Allem, was lebt, in seliger Selbstvergessenheit wiederzukehren ins All der Natur, das ist der Gipfel der Gedanken und Freuden, das ist die heilige Bergeshöhe".
Translated (by me):
"To be One with All, that is Life in Divinity, the heaven of mankind.
"To be one with All that lives, in blessed self-forgetfulness to return to the All in Nature -- that is the peak of Thought, Joy, that is the Holy Mountaintop . . ."
Armand - As I have explored the world I have found a major difference with the US: the number of guns. With around 120 guns per 100 people and around 15,000,000 AR-15 type assault rifles we are living in a country with active shooter drills in schools and mass shootings out the wazoo. That leaves out the number of domestic disputes, suicides, road rage, disagreements, etc, that end in violence because of the presence of a gun. Our police are out gunned, and, when they show up at a scene and there are many civilians with guns they have no idea who are the "good guys with a gun". Open carry of AR-15s terrorizes me.
We have a chance to fix things with a Harris/Walz administration. If Trump/Vance steal this election I think we are screwed.
"Why should lesser beings decide the fate of the strongman, who alone can lead the nation to greatness?"
This is such a classic psychopathic/sociopathic sentiment of the strongman. That degree of grandiosity is truly toxic in any society. The great bamboozle is when these monsters can convince the electorate that their lunatic leader is normal. tRump has done this with most of the GOP.
That Mussolini death mask propaganda piece from 1934 is absolutely chilling!!
I think we have been too gentle with Trump for too long. He is a fascist and those around him, like the industry leaders and military who supported Hitler and Mussolini, are happy to have such an autocrat who will do their bidding. The real question for me is what has happened to millions of Americans who are going to vote for this man. And even if Harris wins (please), they will still be here with their warped views and authoritarian personalities.
The only thing more dangerous than a sociopathic leader are those who feel he is normal.
And nobody is lifting a figure to punish those who make up and disseminate the lies.
Antonia - When Kamala was on Fox and BB asked her that question my hope was that her answer would have been something like: Well Bret, because Fox, OAN, Newsmax, X, etc, have been lying to your audiences for years and your $787.7 million loss didn't even slow you down!
Thanks as always, Ruth. On another topic, the 5 undecided voters at the CNN Town Hall last night who agreed to stay and be interviewed, all strongly disapproved of Kamala's reminder of Gen Kelly's and other national security advisors' statements that Trump is a fascist and a danger to the country-discribed her warning as "negativity" "high schoool bullying" and the equivalent of Trump's name calling! Clearly Trump's fascisitic rhetoric has become normalized-but if these voters feel this way- can you speak to how one can break through it to educate the population about the existential threat that should be influencing their votes in this election?
I had not heard about this, so I'm glad you put the information out there. Those people's reaction is both disgusting and scary. I can't comprehend how anyone can see her as a bully.
Susan - I think that is the misogyny speaking: Men are strong and powerful when they call out such things but women cannot. Why has the USA fallen so far behind?
Very interesting, Jason. I'm always interested to hear your point of view. I think misogyny is a sign of weakness, a sign that they fear strong women. And Kamala Harris is a very strong, competent woman. I think that as a country we have always been invested in the "importance" of white men. I've been reading America: The Nation That Never Was by Kermit Roosevelt III, and the centrality of white men a point I've picked up from that book.
Susan - Misogyny is absolutely a sign of weakness. Lazy and/or dumb men need an excuse when a woman, black, oriental, brown, "lesser" person does better than them earning money, finding love, etc. They felt President Obama was their last straw and now they are facing Kamala. INCELs must arise to defeat this threat! These are very dangerous times. 5-15 November is critical: can they be prevented when they attempt to stop vote counts? I sure hope so.
Jason, I think white women are most likely a problem, too, if they are strong and competent. The one thing that gives me hope with regard to stopping vote counts is Marc Elias and Democracy Docket - they are on top of all of this stuff and ready to file law suits at the drop of a hat. They have been very good at winning their law suits.
Actually didn’t come across as “disgusting” coming from these earnest and seemingly sincere 20-45+ year olds. Instead, it seemed to be a disgust and rejection of the anger, negativity and partisanship in politics, but had them unable to hear the difference between Trump’s name-calling and a 911 call-out.
I didn't see it, so I appreciate getting your take on the situation.
There is a difference between tRump's actual name calling and Kamala speaking the truth about tRump by calling him a fascist. It's a false equivalency to equate the two. The five undecided voters were doing that. tRump "name calls" as hyperbolic punishment. Harris states facts.
The really disturbing thing is that many in the GOP know what fascism is and they like what they see!
Ruth, I saw a Thread today about your being disinvited to speak at an event on authoritarianism. Can you tell us more about that?
At the Naval Academy no less
https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/opinion/column/project-2025-naval-academy-ruth-ben-ghiat-heritage-foundation-UQM4A4CHTRH3FGHRO464YY7TJA/
WOW!
"One day later, U.S. Rep. Keith Self — a West Point graduate who represents a district north and northeast of Dallas — wrote Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids, the academy superintendent, and demanded that she cancel the lecture."
Almost a year ago I emailed POTUS & VPOTUS and recommended they polygraph Secret Service, DOD officers, etc, and identify extreme right threats. Hope they listened.
"After President Jair Bolsonaro lost the 2022 election, he decided to try and replicate the Donald Trump playbook, claiming that the election was rigged and planning an insurrection for January. Stephen Bannon and Jason Miller were among his advisors."
Bannon and Miller, Coup Consultants, Inc.
We should build a faux website and Linkedin page for the two dirty rotten Scoundrels!
Really good MSNBC interview this monring with Ruth and Dr. Snyder. Great way to start a Lucid day!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/grave-emergency-why-military-officials-are-speaking-out-against-trump-s-fascist-comments/vi-AA1sRj6R?ocid=socialshare
Professors Ben-Ghiat, Snyder & Richardson ❤️❤️❤️
Ted - Thanks for pointing this out this segment!
Good way to start the day. Expert opinions from two who have spent their careers studying the threat at the doorstep.
The clip within that interview showing tRump supporters in AZ was classic. Those with zero wisdom went right down the fascist rabbit hole. It's the great bamboozle.
Ruth - I have incredible admiration for you. Your knowledge of strongman and fascism has been invaluable to us during this period.
However, since military leaders have come out en mass to warn against Trump and some of the corporate media is finally covering it - I have come to realize that many of the younger people who fall into the Trump base - Don’t Know what Fascism even is!!
I live among the Trump base, including a couple cultist’s. Many did not complete high school. Some don’t even have the facts of WW2 straight.
And they DEFINITELY don’t understand what the difference between fascism, Marxism, communism, etc.
They never were taught history or civics or “government” as was standard “back in the day”. I believe it’s part of the reason Trump and his media can throw this dis/misinformation at them and they believe it.
Mussolini, even Hitler only mean to them what they have heard from people here. White supremacist’s mostly.
To break through, a different “story” must be used to convey What MAGA plans to do. I pretty certain that once MAGA attempts to actually implement Project 2025 at a level that will affect them - there will be violence with all those guns available.
The violence will play right into the plans of our external enemies/ opponents - Russia, North Korea,China and the others forming the block Russia is forming.
Your last statement is a crucial part of our situation. Violence has always been their goal and I find it very disturbing how much "the moneyed class" has assisted in this goal =/
Our oligarchs were overjoyed with neoliberal economics, even though they knew it would ruin the working class. Then, the angry working class revolts and chooses tRump and his fascism. I believe that most of our oligarchs want fascism here.
I agree that the oligarchs want fascism here. That’s why they are backing the MAGA crowd and “Mandate for Leadership”.
Thank you for this excellent, informative piece, Ruth. It's illuminating and thought provoking.
I admit that I’m confused. I understand Trump’s proximity to fascism (though I don’t believe he comprehends its political theory) … but what befuddles me is that unlike Il Duce (or young Adolph for that matter), Trump is the exact opposite of charismatic. A blatant liar and blowhard, a bigot and misogynist, a sexist and sexual predator—yes; but persuasive? Attractive? Endearing? How can a bad bully have such an enormous entourage?
He may not be charismatic to us but he surely is to his obsequious followers.
Please see my second comment: It’s not charisma that attracts his MAGA boys, it’s fascination with the show.