So this example is focused on something that Trump said in an interview over the weekend which suggested militarized politics and violence and includes a guest appearance by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin who is willing to contribute to propaganda and unreality. We also see clear us versus them politics. These all link to my discussion in Defining and Discussing Fascism (Part I).
First, Trump.
And here is some specificity as to whom he thinks is the “enemy from within.”
Then, Youngkin.
The really important part starts around 2:20. I have provided the full clip for context.
He is not only ignoring what he has seen and heard, but he is making excuses for Trump. Don’t believe your lyin’ eyes and ears! Let’s take the propaganda train to unreality while I try and scare you about immigrants.
I would also recommend Tom Nichols’s piece, Donald Trump’s Fascist Romp. I would note that, like me, Nichols was initially reluctant to use the term “fascist” to describe Trump but, like me, argues that it is now utterly appropriate.
Some of the people who watched Youngkin’s appalling dishonesty immediately thought of one of the most famous passages from George Orwell’s 1984: “The Party told him to reject the evidence of his eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
But this interpretation gives Youngkin too much credit. Orwell’s dictators were able to terrify people with torture and deprivation into accepting the government’s lies. Youngkin, however, is not a terrified subject of an authoritarian regime: He’s just an opportunist. Like J. D. Vance, he knows exactly what he’s doing. Youngkin is demanding that everyone else play along and pretend that Trump is just a misunderstood immigration hawk, and then move on—all so that Youngkin can later say that he was a loyal Republican when he contends for the leadership of the GOP after Trump is either defeated, retired, or long gone.
Agreed.
To recap.
First, Trump talks about using the National Guard and maybe even the military against American citizens (in the clip above he states that the real threat is the “enemy within” and differentiates them from immigrants). He even specifically names a political rival in his answer–an elected official! This is all the language if us v. them and is a promise to militarize politics and use violence.
Second, Youngkin denies that the words mean what they mean (an appeal to unreality) and engages in propaganda to help his side.
