The list of terms above could be extended: authoritarian, totalitarian, despot, tyrant, Caesar, caudillo, führerand duce have all been proposed. But only two of them – authoritarian and fascist — are legitimate contenders. The rest are either too specific to fit the current White House occupant, or too broad to be of much help.
Trump is just an ordinary fascist — a compliant bagman for finance, tech, and weapons/aerospace capital; he’s an everyday demagogue. A concerted program of opposition – like that articulated by mayor-elect Mamdani in New York, AOC, Bernie and increasing numbers of others, can turn the tide against fascism. So can a strategy of mass protest and broad – peaceful but resolute — mobilization against ICE arrests and deportations. Trump is already weakened by his own cruelty, impulsivity and failure to deliver on promises. It may require only a few more hard shoves for him to fall.