I mean that’s possible, but also Trump is 100% being managed by the federalist society. He can barely stay awake during meetings, no way he’s actually dictating policy.
For the most part, yes, but there are pretty clear Trumpisms that a better fascist would have the intelligence and discipline not to indulge in. The whole tariff fiasco for example was completely unnecessary (which is why it’s not in Project 2025), and the sheer mass of unforced errors leading up to and during the Iran war would never be made by someone like Putin or Erdogan. Trump is being manipulated behind the scenes, but he’s also head of an increasingly authoritarian executive and can do things without his handlers’ approval. I’m certain, for example, that a more competent fascist would’ve been able to manufacture at least some consent for the Iran war, as well as get traditional American allies on board to some extent. These unnecessary failures keep kneecapping his administration’s credibility in ways that would’ve already been fatal if America had better opposition (though I guess with enemies that bad who needs allies). And this is before we get into factors like Trump’s inability to channel his own support into down ballot votes. Hell, at the very least America might’ve been run by a fascist who can stay awake during meetings.
And that also assumes their was a clear second to take the reins of MAGA that the inner circle would rally behind, power vacuums tend to lead to infighting and without a clear cult leader the low level maga worshipers would likely be in chaos.
Initially, yes, but very quickly the systemic need for fascism would win out, and there’d be a consensus candidate ready to sweep the elections by 2028 at the latest. Again this is hard to appreciate due to how incompetent the anti-MAGA coalition is, but with a martyr and a somewhat competent leader it’s perfectly plausible that neo-MAGA would’ve had bigger—maybe even filibuster-proof—majorities in Congress and more cooperative state governments across the board. As far as fascism goes, this is still easy mode.
…but with a martyr and a somewhat competent leader it’s perfectly plausible that neo-MAGA would’ve had bigger—maybe even filibuster-proof—majorities in Congress
They don’t need any of what you described to go “filibuster proof”
They don’t even filibuster. They threaten to filibuster.
The super majority vote to bypass filibuster is a PARLIAMENTARY RULE. It is not law, they can change the rule at any time with a simple majority vote. This is not in the constitution. They’ve changed the rules a few times since 1975.
They bypass the “filibuster threat” whenever they would like to, by using the simple majority vote.
This is how you know what they want to pass or not. If they want to pass the bill, they bypass the filibuster threat with this simple majority vote (like budgets), there are almost 200 exceptions so far.
No conspiracy is needed to accomplish the objective that you describe. It’s done been done for decades
I’m not too sure about the whole tariff thing. A lot of people in his inner circle made a fuck ton of money through tactically placed trades before and after each wave of sanctions.
And again with the Iran war stuff, a lot of people are making a mint off this war. And also it’s Israel that wanted this war and basically all of the people pulling the strings have some loyalty to Israel.
I don’t think so, historically when we see a fascist leader get killed the underlings fight each other for power and fall apart more than they coalesce around a new leader.
I’m not too sure about the whole tariff thing. A lot of people in his inner circle made a fuck ton of money through tactically placed trades before and after each wave of sanctions.
Yes, that’s why I said “intelligence and discipline,” not just “intelligence.” Compared to the expected gains from a fascist dictatorship, a few insider trades are peanuts, so a better fascist might’ve kept their eyes on the prize and held back on this front instead of threatening the whole project.
And again with the Iran war stuff, a lot of people are making a mint off this war.
See above. A competent fascist wouldn’t risk their entire project just to make mint.
And also it’s Israel that wanted this war and basically all of the people pulling the strings have some loyalty to Israel.
Yes, which is also an unforced error. Israel can’t force a US president to do something they don’t want to do, and US presidents with a backbone have a long history of saying no to them, most recently with Obama and JCPOA. A better fascist would be able to make their own decisions rather than listen to whoever is loudest at the time. And in any case, even if war with Iran happened, it could’ve still happened much more competently.
I don’t think so, historically when we see a fascist leader get killed the underlings fight each other for power and fall apart more than they coalesce around a new leader.
What fascist leader died while on the cusp of power? Dying after decades in power is a whole different deal.
For the most part, yes, but there are pretty clear Trumpisms that a better fascist would have the intelligence and discipline not to indulge in. The whole tariff fiasco for example was completely unnecessary (which is why it’s not in Project 2025), and the sheer mass of unforced errors leading up to and during the Iran war would never be made by someone like Putin or Erdogan. Trump is being manipulated behind the scenes, but he’s also head of an increasingly authoritarian executive and can do things without his handlers’ approval. I’m certain, for example, that a more competent fascist would’ve been able to manufacture at least some consent for the Iran war, as well as get traditional American allies on board to some extent. These unnecessary failures keep kneecapping his administration’s credibility in ways that would’ve already been fatal if America had better opposition (though I guess with enemies that bad who needs allies). And this is before we get into factors like Trump’s inability to channel his own support into down ballot votes. Hell, at the very least America might’ve been run by a fascist who can stay awake during meetings.
Initially, yes, but very quickly the systemic need for fascism would win out, and there’d be a consensus candidate ready to sweep the elections by 2028 at the latest. Again this is hard to appreciate due to how incompetent the anti-MAGA coalition is, but with a martyr and a somewhat competent leader it’s perfectly plausible that neo-MAGA would’ve had bigger—maybe even filibuster-proof—majorities in Congress and more cooperative state governments across the board. As far as fascism goes, this is still easy mode.
They don’t need any of what you described to go “filibuster proof”
This is how you know what they want to pass or not. If they want to pass the bill, they bypass the filibuster threat with this simple majority vote (like budgets), there are almost 200 exceptions so far.
No conspiracy is needed to accomplish the objective that you describe. It’s done been done for decades
I’m not too sure about the whole tariff thing. A lot of people in his inner circle made a fuck ton of money through tactically placed trades before and after each wave of sanctions.
And again with the Iran war stuff, a lot of people are making a mint off this war. And also it’s Israel that wanted this war and basically all of the people pulling the strings have some loyalty to Israel.
I don’t think so, historically when we see a fascist leader get killed the underlings fight each other for power and fall apart more than they coalesce around a new leader.
Yes, that’s why I said “intelligence and discipline,” not just “intelligence.” Compared to the expected gains from a fascist dictatorship, a few insider trades are peanuts, so a better fascist might’ve kept their eyes on the prize and held back on this front instead of threatening the whole project.
See above. A competent fascist wouldn’t risk their entire project just to make mint.
Yes, which is also an unforced error. Israel can’t force a US president to do something they don’t want to do, and US presidents with a backbone have a long history of saying no to them, most recently with Obama and JCPOA. A better fascist would be able to make their own decisions rather than listen to whoever is loudest at the time. And in any case, even if war with Iran happened, it could’ve still happened much more competently.
What fascist leader died while on the cusp of power? Dying after decades in power is a whole different deal.