You’ve probably seen the word thrown around on social media. It’s everywhere. One side calls the other "fascists" and the response is usually a loud, digital eye-roll. But if we’re being honest, most people using the term couldn't actually define it if their life depended on it. They think it just means "authoritarian" or "mean politician I don't like." It’s way more complicated than that. Fascism in the US isn't some new, imported boogeyman from 1930s Europe that suddenly showed up on a flight from Berlin. It has deep, weird, and often ignored roots right here.
Historians like Robert Paxton, who wrote The Anatomy of Fascism, basically argue that fascism is a form of political behavior marked by an obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation, or victimhood. It’s about a cult of unity. If you look at American history, you see these themes popping up long before the term "fascist" was even coined by Mussolini. We’re talking about a specific cocktail of ultranationalism and the desire to "purify" the nation.
It’s scary stuff.
The American Roots We Don't Talk About
Most people think of the US as the "Arsenal of Democracy" that crushed Hitler. That’s true. But it’s also true that in 1939, over 20,000 Americans packed into Madison Square Garden for a "Pro-Americanism" rally. They had a giant portrait of George Washington flanked by swastikas. This was the German American Bund. They weren't some tiny fringe group hiding in a basement; they were out in the open, claiming that true Americanism was actually compatible with fascist ideals.
Then you have guys like Father Charles Coughlin.
He was a radio priest with a massive following—tens of millions of listeners. He started out supporting the New Deal but eventually pivoted to hard-right, antisemitic rhetoric that echoed European fascist movements. He’s a prime example of how fascism in the US often disguises itself in the language of populist "common sense" and religious fervor.
It’s kinda wild to think about how close the rhetoric was.
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Even earlier, you can look at the Second Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s. This wasn't just the hooded night-riders of the post-Civil War era. This was a massive, bureaucratic organization with millions of members. They held parades in Washington D.C. with their faces uncovered. They preached a message of "100% Americanism" that excluded anyone who wasn't white, Protestant, and native-born. Experts like Sarah Churchwell have argued that the Klan actually provided a sort of "homegrown" template for fascist logic—the idea that the "true" people are being replaced or undermined by "outsiders."
Why the Labels Don't Always Fit
The problem with discussing fascism in the US is that America is obsessed with being "exceptional." We like to think it can't happen here. Sinclair Lewis even wrote a whole novel about it in 1935 titled It Can't Happen Here. The plot is basically about a populist senator who gets elected president by promising to return the country to "traditional values" and then quickly turns into a dictator.
Lewis’s point was that if fascism comes to America, it won't look like an Italian Blackshirt or a German Brownshirt. It’ll look like a guy in a suit holding a Bible and wrapped in the flag.
Today, scholars are debating whether "fascism" is even the right word for what we’re seeing. Some prefer "illiberalism" or "right-wing populism." Why? Because traditional fascism usually involves a total state control of the economy and a rejection of capitalism in favor of a corporatist model. Modern American movements are often hyper-capitalist. They want less government regulation for businesses, not more.
But the social markers? They’re uncomfortably similar.
- The obsession with a "stolen" past.
- The cult of the strongman leader.
- The demonization of the press as "enemies of the people."
- The blurring of the line between police power and political loyalty.
The Role of Tech and "Digital Fascism"
Things have changed. You don't need a radio station or a Madison Square Garden rally to spread these ideas anymore. You just need an algorithm.
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In the last decade, the way fascism in the US has evolved is through "disaggregation." It’s scattered. You have various groups—some call themselves "accelerationists," others "Christian Nationalists"—who share the same DNA of fascist thought but operate in decentralized online spaces. They use memes. They use irony. It's harder to pin down because if you call them out, they just say, "I was joking, you're overreacting."
But the real-world consequences aren't a joke.
We saw this on January 6th. Regardless of your politics, the imagery of that day—the paramilitary gear, the flags, the attempt to bypass the democratic process via force—is a textbook example of fascist-adjacent political violence. It’s about the belief that the "will of the people" (meaning a specific subset of the people) matters more than the law or the vote.
Is the Threat Exaggerated?
Let's look at the other side of the coin. Some historians, like Samuel Moyn from Yale, argue that using the "F-word" (fascism) too much is actually counterproductive. He suggests that by comparing everything to 1930s Germany, we ignore the specific, unique problems of American democracy.
Maybe the threat isn't a sudden coup.
Maybe it's a slow erosion.
Think about how norms just... disappear. If you look at the "Global State of Democracy" reports, the US has been downgraded in recent years. Not because we have a dictator, but because our institutions are becoming more partisan. When people lose faith in the courts, the elections, and the media, they start looking for a "strongman" to fix it. That's the gateway drug.
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How to Spot the Warning Signs
If you want to know if a movement is leaning toward fascism in the US, don't look for swastikas. Look for the "Us vs. Them" narrative.
Specifically, look for:
- The Myth of the Golden Age: "We used to be great, and they took it from us."
- Anti-Intellectualism: Dismissing experts, universities, and science as part of a "conspiracy."
- Newspeak: Changing the meaning of words. For example, calling an insurrection a "peaceful protest" or calling an election "fraudulent" without evidence.
- Victimhood as Power: Claiming that the dominant group is actually the most persecuted.
Honestly, the most dangerous part isn't the guy yelling on a street corner. It's the "banality" of it. It's when these ideas become part of everyday political discourse. When it becomes normal to suggest that your political opponents should be jailed. That’s when the gears are turning.
Actionable Insights: What You Can Actually Do
Understanding the history of fascism in the US isn't just about winning arguments on Reddit. It’s about recognizing the health of the democracy you live in. Here is how to navigate this landscape without losing your mind.
- Read original sources, not just commentary. If someone says a politician is a fascist, go read that politician's actual platform. Compare it to the 14 characteristics of fascism outlined by Umberto Eco in his essay Ur-Fascism. Look for things like "contempt for the weak" and "selective populism."
- Support local institutions. Fascism thrives when national politics is the only thing people care about. Strengthen your local school boards, local newspapers, and community groups. These are the "middle layers" of society that act as a buffer against radicalization.
- Diversify your information diet. If your feed only shows you people who agree with you, the algorithm is radicalizing you. Period. Seek out long-form journalism from varied perspectives—sites like The Atlantic, National Review, or ProPublica.
- Practice "Civic Skepticism." Question any leader who claims only they can fix the system. Democracy is supposed to be messy and slow. Anyone promising a "fast" and "total" solution to complex cultural problems is usually selling something dangerous.
- Engage in "Depolarization." Talk to people in your real life who disagree with you. Humanizing the "enemy" is the single most effective way to break the fascist narrative of "Us vs. Them." Fascism requires you to see your neighbor as an existential threat. Don't give it that satisfaction.
The reality is that fascism isn't a light switch that just flips on. It's more like a leak in the basement. If you ignore it, the foundation eventually rots. By the time you notice the floor sagging, the damage is already done. Staying informed about the historical patterns of fascism in the US is the first step toward making sure those patterns don't repeat themselves in the future. Check the records. Watch the rhetoric. Stay vigilant.