David Maxwell, the former top cop under Attorney General Ken Paxton, has endorsed Paxton’s opponent for U.S. Senate. ℹ️ https://t.co/9D6k995fic pic.twitter.com/q8724WawPA

— KWTX News 10 (@kwtx) September 8, 2026

Flashback: Gov Abbott trashing Austin for not having flock cameras. Now he says local governments shouldn't be using them and he's blocking state money for themhttps://t.co/VrRMXOk2F7

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) September 8, 2026

Frank Galvin said:

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ShooterTX said:

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Sam Lowry said:

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ShooterTX said:

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Sam Lowry said:

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He's a bit unfair to Constantine, but Christian Nationalism as we know it is a cancer. There's nothing wrong with saying so.

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LOL

Yes, if Christian Nationalism as defined by TalaFreako actually existed, it would be a bad thing. However Christian Nationalism is as real as the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny.

So amazing that you have no other comments about his Satanic message that he preached at that "church".

---

I only watched the first five minutes. In any case, you're demonstrating what seems to be the CN's favorite tactic: if you can't defend it, deny it.

---

LOL

You are pathetic.

There is no one who is trying to force Christianity upon our nation, which is one of the top key definitive characteristics of Christian Nationalism according to Talafreako and the rest of the LWNJs online.

America was founded as a Christian nation, which by default means that everyone has the opportunity & freedom to accept or reject Christ. It is impossible for anyone to become a Christian by force. Such a thing is only done by false Christians like the old Catholic church during the inquisitions and by other religions such as Islam. If someone does not freely choose to follow Christ and His teachings, then that person is at best a false convert or just lying to try and appease others.

If you truly believe that Christian Nationalism is a true thing, then please give us examples of people who are calling for Christianity to become a requirement for citizenship in America... otherwise you are just making up a Boogey man to try and stir-up the ******ed leftists in our nation.

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You don't understand Christian Nationalism. It is not necessarily trying to force people into being Christians. It is to exclude people who are not Christians, either physically (kick the Arabs out of Texas) or from leadership roles and meaningful participation in governance (see Pete Hegseth).

---

Sounds like a win - win to me. What is the problem with kicking the muck mucks out? Especially before they blow something up again.

GrowlTowel said:

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HuMcK said:

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A Trump defender calling someone out for decorum, bless your heart. I think America would be so much better off if MAGA could just feel shame.

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The only thing that matters now is power.

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Many Republicans would agree. That's why they don't need to be in power.

Actually we were allowing other countries to use tariffs against us which resulted in a loss of our manufacturing base over decades and many jobs as our manufacturing base moved offshore. Trump believes and I agree that to become a prosperous country again we must regain much of that manufacturing base. National security implications are involved as we became aware during Covid when we rely on other countries to provide essential materials and goods. You can certainly disagree with his thinking, but I believe he is absolutely correct in his analysis of the situation and his willingness to use tariffs to help accomplish his goal. How anyone could think that illogical is beyond me. To throw everyone on the government payroll was going to lead to fiscal disaster. We could be headed there anyway since congress will not control spending.

Sam Lowry said:

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GrowlTowel said:

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HuMcK said:

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A Trump defender calling someone out for decorum, bless your heart. I think America would be so much better off if MAGA could just feel shame.

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The only thing that matters now is power.

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Many Republicans would agree. That's why they don't need to be in power.

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But every Democrat does agree. Which is why none of them should ever be in power.

If we had fair elections and apportionment based on citizenship, the left would never win another election.

Great point Sam.

GrowlTowel said:

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Sam Lowry said:

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GrowlTowel said:

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HuMcK said:

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A Trump defender calling someone out for decorum, bless your heart. I think America would be so much better off if MAGA could just feel shame.

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The only thing that matters now is power.

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Many Republicans would agree. That's why they don't need to be in power.

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But every Democrat does agree. Which is why none of them should ever be in power.

If we had fair elections and apportionment based on citizenship, the left would never win another election.

Great point Sam.

---

It sounds more like an Antifa manifesto than a typical Democrat or traditional conservative.

Trump certainly knows that we have fair elections. But there's no institution he won't discard...all in the pursuit of power, of course.

LIB,MR BEARS said:

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🚨 TX Senate Candidate James Talarico Wants to BAN Private Firearm Sales!

James Talarico is pushing “universal background checks” that would criminalize private gun sales — the same transfers Americans have done freely since 1791. No more selling your own rifle to a neighbor or… pic.twitter.com/iUWj73yT52

— Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) May 30, 2026

---

I read somewhere that's they're building a national database that can be used help ban firearms. Many red state governors have already shared our information. Just gotta execute.

boognish_bear said:

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This is the vibe outside the American Airlines Center ahead of the midterm convention in Dallas pic.twitter.com/p8faZ5ZS1t

— Ryan Chandler (@RyanChandlerTV) September 8, 2026

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Total Boomer Slopfest

Keyser Soze said:

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I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

He is from Atlanta which is a liberal shythole. You know how he votes.

Here is a report on new investments and manufacturing plants going up around the country since 2025.

https://www.industrialsage.com/us-manufacturing-investment-tracker/

ATL Bear said:

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Keyser Soze said:

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I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

---

If you have deep roots in this country and love it why would nationalism ever be considered a negative thing?

I gave you a report backing up my statement. How about yours? And Biden? You Trump haters are so blinded by that hatred that you become incapable of looking at any of his policies objectively. You automatically are against them just because you despise the man. This is wrong and very harmful to the country.

Frankie is a complete liberal imbecile.

gtownbear said:

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I gave you a report backing up my statement. How about yours? And Biden? You Trump haters are so blinded by that hatred that you become incapable of looking at any of his policies objectively. You automatically are against them just because you despise the man. This is wrong and very harmful to the country.

---

I am the one who gave the initial report indicating that US manufacturing jobs are shrinking. No one, including you, has rebutted that report. Instead, you have said that announced commitments will reverse that trend. Further, you link those announcements to Trump's protectionist policies.

There are three yellow lights you are not considering. First, announcements are not manufacturing paychecks. Whether the announcements have an impact is a prediction, not a fact. Second, not all plants are created equal as to job creation. All those AI data centers, even if built, will probably not move the needle at all on future human employment. In fact, they are probably a net negative. Third, some of that investment would have occurred naturally, and it is not like investment in manufacturing facilities was zero during the Biden term. The fact is that during Biden's term, the US added between 500,000--800,000 manufacturing jobs (links below), while we have to date lost manufacturing jobs under Trump in his second term (already provided) and also lost manufacturing jobs during Trump's first term (link provided).

I am not blind to the fact that COVID skewed those numbers. But pretending that Trump has been a savior of the manufacturing segment is unsupported.

https://politifact.com/factchecks/2023/dec/13/joe-biden/fact-checking-joe-biden-on-manufacturing-jobs/

https://www.factcheck.org/2025/10/bidens-final-numbers/

https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/democrats/2026/2/new-data-during-trump-s-first-year-the-manufacturing-industry-lost-108-000-jobs

ATL Bear said:

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Keyser Soze said:

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I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

---

The argument is basically:
Trump is economically nationalist fascists were economically nationalist therefore Trump's economic philosophy has strong fascist parallels taken far enough, it becomes autarky.

That's a weak chain because the first characteristic isn't remotely exclusive to fascism. Economic nationalism, government pressure on private companies, executive intervention in markets, tariffs, withdrawal from international agreements, and even military action for economic interests have all been practiced by democratic, socialist, conservative, and liberal governments.

Mitch Blood Green said:

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LIB,MR BEARS said:

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🚨 TX Senate Candidate James Talarico Wants to BAN Private Firearm Sales!

James Talarico is pushing “universal background checks” that would criminalize private gun sales — the same transfers Americans have done freely since 1791. No more selling your own rifle to a neighbor or… pic.twitter.com/iUWj73yT52

— Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) May 30, 2026

---

I read somewhere that's they're building a national database that can be used help ban firearms. Many red state governors have already shared our information. Just gotta execute.

---

Talarico yard signs up in Waco. No Paxton signs yet

I believe the recent manufacturing employment numbers were up. First you get construction jobs building the plants, then the opening and jobs. With the number of new plants it will happen. And why are you so negative about positive things? Do you wish for bad things for the country? Why? I love this country and wish success for everyone in it. Look at things on the bright side. Maybe Paxton will pay you a visit when he becomes our Senator!

Osodecentx said:

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Mitch Blood Green said:

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LIB,MR BEARS said:

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🚨 TX Senate Candidate James Talarico Wants to BAN Private Firearm Sales!

James Talarico is pushing “universal background checks” that would criminalize private gun sales — the same transfers Americans have done freely since 1791. No more selling your own rifle to a neighbor or… pic.twitter.com/iUWj73yT52

— Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) May 30, 2026

---

I read somewhere that's they're building a national database that can be used help ban firearms. Many red state governors have already shared our information. Just gotta execute.

---

Talarico yard signs up in Waco. No Paxton signs yet

---

I have seen just as many Paxton signs as Talarico signs locally.

What is more telling though is that there were Beto signs everywhere in 2018 and not even close to as many Talarico signs this time around. Maybe that changes but I doubt it. Beto had immensely more crossover appeal.

Bear_Fan254 said:

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Osodecentx said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

🚨 TX Senate Candidate James Talarico Wants to BAN Private Firearm Sales!

James Talarico is pushing “universal background checks” that would criminalize private gun sales — the same transfers Americans have done freely since 1791. No more selling your own rifle to a neighbor or… pic.twitter.com/iUWj73yT52

— Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) May 30, 2026

---

I read somewhere that's they're building a national database that can be used help ban firearms. Many red state governors have already shared our information. Just gotta execute.

---

Talarico yard signs up in Waco. No Paxton signs yet

---

I have seen just as many Paxton signs as Talarico signs locally.

What is more telling though is that there were Beto signs everywhere in 2018 and not even close to as many Talarico signs this time around. Maybe that changes but I doubt it. Beto had immensely more crossover appeal.

---

Meh.

I was in Pennsylvania in 2020, and there were tons of Trump signs and almost none for Biden. Seem to recall Biden won PA?

Point is that noise is noise.

The race is not going to be decided by lawn signs.

Oldbear83 said:

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Bear_Fan254 said:

---

Osodecentx said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

🚨 TX Senate Candidate James Talarico Wants to BAN Private Firearm Sales!

James Talarico is pushing “universal background checks” that would criminalize private gun sales — the same transfers Americans have done freely since 1791. No more selling your own rifle to a neighbor or… pic.twitter.com/iUWj73yT52

— Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) May 30, 2026

---

I read somewhere that's they're building a national database that can be used help ban firearms. Many red state governors have already shared our information. Just gotta execute.

---

Talarico yard signs up in Waco. No Paxton signs yet

---

I have seen just as many Paxton signs as Talarico signs locally.

What is more telling though is that there were Beto signs everywhere in 2018 and not even close to as many Talarico signs this time around. Maybe that changes but I doubt it. Beto had immensely more crossover appeal.

---

Meh.

I was in Pennsylvania in 2020, and there were tons of Trump signs and almost none for Biden. Seem to recall Biden won PA?

Point is that noise is noise.

The race is not going to be decided by lawn signs.

---

Yup, pretty much my point.

gtownbear said:

---

I believe the recent manufacturing employment numbers were up. First you get construction jobs building the plants, then the opening and jobs. With the number of new plants it will happen. And why are you so negative about positive things? Do you wish for bad things for the country? Why? I love this country and wish success for everyone in it. Look at things on the bright side. Maybe Paxton will pay you a visit when he becomes our Senator!

---

I am not rooting against success. I am suspicious of Trump's claims because he has no connection to reality. I also understand that there are far more trade-offs than the administration is recognizing when adopting protectionist policies.

Time will tell, but generally, protectionism shrinks the overall economy.

Keyser Soze said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

---

The argument is basically:
Trump is economically nationalist fascists were economically nationalist therefore Trump's economic philosophy has strong fascist parallels taken far enough, it becomes autarky.

That's a weak chain because the first characteristic isn't remotely exclusive to fascism. Economic nationalism, government pressure on private companies, executive intervention in markets, tariffs, withdrawal from international agreements, and even military action for economic interests have all been practiced by democratic, socialist, conservative, and liberal governments.

---

Fascism isn't just an economic system, however, if I list 99 reasons why Trump is a fascist the response will always be "but fascism is an economic system." So it makes sense to point out the parallels.

Sam Lowry said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

---

The argument is basically:
Trump is economically nationalist fascists were economically nationalist therefore Trump's economic philosophy has strong fascist parallels taken far enough, it becomes autarky.

That's a weak chain because the first characteristic isn't remotely exclusive to fascism. Economic nationalism, government pressure on private companies, executive intervention in markets, tariffs, withdrawal from international agreements, and even military action for economic interests have all been practiced by democratic, socialist, conservative, and liberal governments.

---

Fascism isn't just an economic system, however, if I list 99 reasons why Trump is a fascist the response will always be "but fascism is an economic system." So it makes sense to point out the parallels.

---

I actually agree with much of your criticism of Trump. Where I part company is the fascist label. Authoritarian strikes me as both more accurate and more useful. He clearly has authoritarian instincts and an unusually expansive view of executive power. Fascism historically carried a much larger package one-party rule, suppression of political opposition, political violence and ultimately dictatorship. Once we start arguing over whether every nationalist or protectionist policy is "fascist," I think the label creates more heat than light.

Keyser Soze said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

---

The argument is basically:
Trump is economically nationalist fascists were economically nationalist therefore Trump's economic philosophy has strong fascist parallels taken far enough, it becomes autarky.

That's a weak chain because the first characteristic isn't remotely exclusive to fascism. Economic nationalism, government pressure on private companies, executive intervention in markets, tariffs, withdrawal from international agreements, and even military action for economic interests have all been practiced by democratic, socialist, conservative, and liberal governments.

---

Fascism isn't just an economic system, however, if I list 99 reasons why Trump is a fascist the response will always be "but fascism is an economic system." So it makes sense to point out the parallels.

---

I actually agree with much of your criticism of Trump. Where I part company is the fascist label. Authoritarian strikes me as both more accurate and more useful. He clearly has authoritarian instincts and an unusually expansive view of executive power. Fascism historically carried a much larger package one-party rule, suppression of political opposition, political violence and ultimately dictatorship. Once we start arguing over whether every nationalist or protectionist policy is "fascist," I think the label creates more heat than light

---

On the one hand, Trump clearly thinks that he is the "CEO of America" in a corporate sense. He can make every decision about anything that goes on in the country, regardless of whether the Constitution gives him that power. That is authoritarian in the way you describe it. Frankly, his view is the continuation of a trend that has gone on for over a century. It is different only in degree.

On the other hand, he is uncomfortably close to fascist tendencies asd you describe them. Threatening censorship if a network is critical of him, searching for ways to prevent people from voting, constantly demonizing every Democrat or liberal as an enemy of the state, wanting to invoke the insurrection act, letting masked, untrained ICE agents do law enforcement beyond immigration, whatever January 6 was... it is getting to be a pretty long list of what you say characterizes fascism.

Keyser Soze said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

---

The argument is basically:
Trump is economically nationalist fascists were economically nationalist therefore Trump's economic philosophy has strong fascist parallels taken far enough, it becomes autarky.

That's a weak chain because the first characteristic isn't remotely exclusive to fascism. Economic nationalism, government pressure on private companies, executive intervention in markets, tariffs, withdrawal from international agreements, and even military action for economic interests have all been practiced by democratic, socialist, conservative, and liberal governments.

---

It's the combination of form, substance, and execution that draws its parallel and separation from other efforts. Allocation running through discretionary bargains between the leadership and individual firms with access and exemption serving as instruments of political discipline is a clear principle af play in this administration,

This is more than Trump is economically nationalist so "fascism!". Absolutely other administrations and countries have used and use tariffs, public private ownership/subsidy schemes, and nationalism ebbs and flows. The parallel becomes meaningful when discretion itself becomes the governing principle. Instead of government establishing general rules under which companies compete, individual firms are increasingly negotiating their economic treatment with the executive branch for everything from market access, tariff treatment, export permission, government ownership or other privileges. All of this justified and framed around national economic power, not general welfare or economic freedom or promotion of capitalism.

This normalization of combining economic nationalism with increasingly personalized executive discretion over private enterprise have clear historical parallels to the state-business relationship of fascist political economies. It's also changing the institutional relationships between political authority and private capital. It's this latter point that scares the hell out of me because that dynamic can swing toward other equally dangerous eco-political approaches for those with more leftist political objectives.

I understand your position. I don't fully agree, but at this point I think we're mostly arguing semantics and restating the same points.

Bear_Fan254 said:

---

Osodecentx said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

🚨 TX Senate Candidate James Talarico Wants to BAN Private Firearm Sales!

James Talarico is pushing “universal background checks” that would criminalize private gun sales — the same transfers Americans have done freely since 1791. No more selling your own rifle to a neighbor or… pic.twitter.com/iUWj73yT52

— Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) May 30, 2026

---

I read somewhere that's they're building a national database that can be used help ban firearms. Many red state governors have already shared our information. Just gotta execute.

---

Talarico yard signs up in Waco. No Paxton signs yet

---

I have seen just as many Paxton signs as Talarico signs locally.

What is more telling though is that there were Beto signs everywhere in 2018 and not even close to as many Talarico signs this time around. Maybe that changes but I doubt it. Beto had immensely more crossover appeal.

---

I'm in Waco. Where are you?

Keyser Soze said:

---

Sam Lowry said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Keyser Soze said:

---

I'm no Trump fan, but this is awfully short on specifics. Tariffs, protectionism and industrial policy have been used by governments of every political stripe, wisely or not. And autarky is something quite different. That means essentially pursuing economic self-sufficiency and isolation from world trade. Trump is certainly protectionist, but that's a long way from autarky.

---

Economic nationalism is a hallmark of fascist economics. He's even gone so far as engaging in military action (Venezuela), and threatened (Greenland) for nationalist economic goals. Openly flaunts and unilaterally exits international alliances, coerces private companies under the guise of nationalist economic goals, and uses executive authority to assert power over markets. As I said, if his full rhetoric were put in place, it would be very close to the autarky of fascist regimes. Fortunately we still have laws and institutions that prevent that.

It's not just the protectionism or industrial policy, it's the rhetoric and ideology driving it that draws the parallels.

---

The argument is basically:
Trump is economically nationalist fascists were economically nationalist therefore Trump's economic philosophy has strong fascist parallels taken far enough, it becomes autarky.

That's a weak chain because the first characteristic isn't remotely exclusive to fascism. Economic nationalism, government pressure on private companies, executive intervention in markets, tariffs, withdrawal from international agreements, and even military action for economic interests have all been practiced by democratic, socialist, conservative, and liberal governments.

---

Fascism isn't just an economic system, however, if I list 99 reasons why Trump is a fascist the response will always be "but fascism is an economic system." So it makes sense to point out the parallels.

---

I actually agree with much of your criticism of Trump. Where I part company is the fascist label. Authoritarian strikes me as both more accurate and more useful. He clearly has authoritarian instincts and an unusually expansive view of executive power. Fascism historically carried a much larger package one-party rule, suppression of political opposition, political violence and ultimately dictatorship. Once we start arguing over whether every nationalist or protectionist policy is "fascist," I think the label creates more heat than light.

---

Those are actually the things that concern me most. I'm not against some degree of nationalism or protectionism per se, though as ATL mentioned, fascists will be eager to corrupt and weaponize them.

I actually sympathize with that concern, and Trump's authoritarian tendencies bother me as well. Where I'm less worried is institutional. For that to evolve into anything resembling historical fascism, you would eventually need the other institutions of government, particularly the judiciary, to become complicit or irrelevant. So far I see plenty of evidence of the courts doing exactly what they're supposed to do and telling Trump no. That's a pretty significant distinction to me.

Is this the first prominent democrat to take the stance?

#TexasSenate

James Talarico (D) tells Fox News he opposes trans athletes competing in women’s sports.

“I oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it endangers safety and fairness. Every sport has to be safe and fair.” pic.twitter.com/gXCy7H0N0v

— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) September 9, 2026