Fascist death yam Donald Trump probably doesn’t understand why—or even whether—he’s a fascist. Since none of the history textbooks he “read” in college included either his name or a hollowed-out compartment in the shape of a Little Debbie snack cake, it’s unlikely he ever got past the first few pages of any of them. So that whole global-order-defining dustup in the ‘40s likely remains as mysterious to him as his bathroom refrigerator’s vegetable crisper.
Then again, he did reportedly keep a collection of Hitler’s speeches at his bedside—though he claims he never read it. Which, ironically, I find a little hard to believe. I mean, this is the same guy who allegedly told his former chief of staff that “Hitler did a lot of good things.”
So whichever theory you subscribe to—i.e., “Trump diligently studied Hitler’s methods” vs. “Trump is ignorant of any and all major historical events, including those irrevocably altered by Mr. Peabody and Sherman”—it’s clear that Trump is a fascist simply because the philosophy appeals to him.
But while Trump’s supporters, when confronted with his fascism, tend to squeal like anyone unlucky enough to glimpse his Gorgonzola-esque Dali painting of a pelvic region, at least one bona fide Trump fan in Russian state media is connecting the dots.
Writing for The Daily Beast, indefatigable Russian media monitor Julia Davis reports that Putin’s favorite (so-far-unsevered) talking heads have been flipping out about a recent New York Times essay by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, titled “We Should Say It. Russia Is Fascist.”
In the piece, Snyder claims that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a hallmark of Russia’s current fascist leanings, writing, “If Ukraine does not win, we can expect decades of darkness.” And since Putin’s declared casus belli for his unprovoked invasion was the need to “de-Nazify” his neighbor, this accusation against Putin could not be allowed to stand.
In a broadcast of the state TV show The Evening With Vladimir Solovyov on Friday, the host of the program and its panel of pundits were breathing fire over the essay. Solovyov was so desperate to refute the article, in fact, that he resorted to lambasting one of the few Americans beloved by Russian state television: former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Listen, you bastards,” Solovyov fumed in a direct address to Americans. “Let me tell you a secret: first of all, your signs are idiotic in their nature. Secondly, looking at your listed indications, how are they any different from the election campaign of Donald Trump? Down to his slogan, ‘Make America Great Again.’”
You’re getting warmer, Vlad ...
Solovyov went on to list various signs of Trump’s “fascism,” without any mention of how those descriptions also applied to Putin. “Strong leader, with large crowds coming out in his support ... Discussions of former greatness. Donald Trump promised to make America great again,” he said. Referring to visual symbols as a sign of belonging, Solovyov pointed out “Donald Trump’s red hats.” To emphasize his point about “mass events to support the leader,” the host asked: “Would you like me to put on a video of the dancing Trump?”
Dancing Trump? No, thanks. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing this a few more times …
Other than that, all I can say to Russian state media is … nailed it! (Though you might have also mentioned Trump’s attempts to overturn the legitimate results of a free and fair American election.) Now someone please go tell Moscow Mitch McConnell, and the rest of the fascist Putin-enablers in Congress.
Check out Aldous J. Pennyfarthing’s four-volume Trump-trashing compendium, including the finale, Goodbye, Asshat: 101 Farewell Letters to Donald Trump, at this link. Or, if you prefer a test drive, you can download the epilogue to Goodbye, Asshat for the low, low price of FREE.