Insights on Donald Trump’s Leadership: Authoritarianism and Fascism

General Perspectives on Donald Trump’s Leadership Style

Mark Milley is not the only military figure to label Donald Trump with the term “fascist.” In a recent interview with my colleague Michael Schmidt, John Kelly, the former Marine general and Trump’s ex-chief of staff, articulated his views on the former president’s political stance. He asserted, “Certainly the former president is in the far-right area; he’s undoubtedly authoritarian and has shown admiration for dictatorial figures throughout his career.”

Kelly went further to emphasize his point by referencing a formal definition of fascism: “Fascism is defined as a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, and the forcible suppression of opposition, alongside a belief in a natural social hierarchy.” He concluded that these attributes align closely with Trump’s leadership style, noting that Trump “believes these principles could effectively govern America.”

In addition to Kelly’s perspective, Mark Esper, who served as Trump’s secretary of defense, expressed his concerns during a CNN interview. He emphasized the importance of taking Trump seriously, particularly when he hints at the use of military force against American citizens. “President Trump has learned that the key to power is surrounding yourself with individuals who will execute your directives without question,” Esper remarked. He elaborated that Trump’s approach involves selecting loyalists who will not challenge his authority, stating, “Loyalty will be the primary criterion for those around him.”

Esper echoed Kelly’s sentiments, suggesting that Trump “exhibits tendencies” that could very well be described as fascistic. Both former officials highlight a concerning trend in Trump’s behavior and ideology, presenting a broader discussion about the implications for American democracy.

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