The Trump movement is turning America fascist w/Jeff Sharlet | The Chris Hedges Report

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Published 2023-10-27

Jeff Sharlet has spent two decades covering the intersection of extreme Christian nationalism and the far-right. In his new book, Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, he gives snapshots of a country rapidly devolving into a Christian fascism state. He captures the rage, the despair, the dislocation, the alienation, the aesthetic of violence, and the magical thinking that are the foundations of all fascist movements—forces that are now coalescing around the Trump-led Republican Party. The bizarre conspiracy theories and buffoonish quality of many who lead and embrace this movement, such as Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, make the use American fascists easy to ridicule and dismiss. But Sharlet implores us to take them seriously as an existential threat to what is left of our anemic democracy. Jeff Sharlet joins The Chris Hedges Report to discuss his new book and the rising tide of Christofascism threatening our democracy.

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All Comments (21)

@jamesparker1071 7 months ago

"To find the Tyrant simply see who you are not allowed to criticize."
@thomasberrey3774 5 months ago

When fascism comes to America it will appear as a cross draped in a flag
@thespartan8476 5 months ago

Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. Yet those who do study history are doomed to stand by helplessly while everyone else repeats it.
@Pbirv 4 months ago

This is NOT going to end well- for ANYBODY.
@yarnpower 7 months ago

No Christian preacher should preach fascism or greed or mistreatment of any group. That is far from Jesus’ words and actions.
@jeradblazek677 7 months ago

Hate to break it to people, but America has been fascistic for decades, at least by original popular definition of "fascism". Corporate oligarchs have been controlling government policy since before WW2, and has only become more prevalent to the average person in recent years.
@lynneholdaway5133 6 months ago

This is very disturbing as to how it seems many have lost complete reason.
@casard5235 3 months ago

Fight the good fight. No to fascism!!
@marcelldwight8235 6 months ago

We need to get money out of politics. Period! Nonstop!
@leeanderson5955 7 months ago

If fascism is the merger of state and corporate interests the the FACT that almost all politicians act as lobbyists for corporations then yeah, fascism is a fact in modern culture.
@edwardmccall450 3 months ago

The mega corporations, corrupt government, and big bankers are the problem.
@Scotthanson-kl4dq 5 months ago

This whole maga movement sickens me. If anyone of us did and acted as Trump we would have been behind bars long ao.
@lugcastillo 7 months ago

Ignorance is the greatest threat to democracy!
@TheKenShain 7 months ago

That's what's great about America; freedom of choice! We have so many varieties of fascism to choose from!
@Stikibits 6 months ago

“In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.” ~Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Horatio Spofford, 1814
@snuffyballparks6501 5 months ago

Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire
@africkinamerican 7 months ago

This is how fascists label others for persecution.
@samnangthim6949 7 months ago

When he thought people were out to get him it seem he was right.
@jennifergeorge7641 5 months ago

“The snake” really is an excellent metaphor for Trump. “You knew what I was when you took me in”. Yes the Trump supporters know. They just don’t think the snake will bite them
@Bob132-ov6wk 4 months ago

I can't find it. I think back in the '70's there was a movie made, based on a true story, of a teacher demonstrating to his students that even today people can be lured into fascism. I can't remember the name of the movie. It was very controversial. In the end the teacher showed this leader. It was a portrait of Hitler. The students were shocked and learned a valuable lesson. The teacher was getting flack and criticism from the school board and parents to stop doing this lesson. This teacher pleaded with the school board and parents for patience that he was trying to teach a lesson. It was an incredible movie.