ABSTRACT

The candidacy of Donald Trump has prompted a vigorous public debate over whether or not Trump is flirting with fascism. Some analysts suggest his political dance partner is leading him to the tune of Right-wing populism. Trump’s sexism was displayed at the Republican debate on August 6 when he was asked by Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly about referring to women as “fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals.” The Weimar period is crucial to understand because it was that precise moment in Germany’s history when a broad united front, crossing traditional political boundaries to defend democracy, could have blocked the mass base of a Right-wing populist movement threatening to morph into a fascist juggernaut. The crowd listening to Trump’s stump speech in Massachusetts this October cheered his attacks on Mexican immigrants. Trump is popular among many Tea Party movement activists, although national leaders are remaining coy in terms of an endorsement.