Reckoning with the Term “Fascism” in Political Discourse
Typing “Donald Trump” alongside “fascism” into Google reveals a plethora of headlines from both progressive and mainstream media that seem to distort the term significantly.
Initially used to describe oppressive regimes linked with genocide and war, “fascism” has now become a go-to insult thrown at the Republican Party by liberal commentators and media figures.
If traditional institutions still value their credibility and democratic essence, they ought to address the language being used today by some on the left. A solid starting point would be to condemn recent comments made by Democrat Jay Jones.
Once upon a time, we would say, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you.” However, today’s political rhetoric has morphed from mere words to actual weapons.
Labeling political opponents as “fascists” isn’t just unwise; it’s dangerous. Such accusations breed hostility, strip conservatives of their humanity, and grant the left moral permission to lash out at differing viewpoints. As someone who’s been involved in politics and is also a family man, I’ve seen this culture of animosity intensify.
The term “fascist” has been tied to significant political violence, including the assassinations of conservative figures and threats against Republican leaders. Public disagreement is an essential part of democracy, but calling people “fascists” based on their beliefs is crossing a line. When the media and educational institutions turn a blind eye to this language, they effectively support the resulting culture of violence.
The term “fascist” holds serious implications. Most individuals who wield it today probably can’t even provide a clear definition. It has become one of the most dangerously misused words in America, often used to provoke outrage on social media. What started as a political jab has transformed into a rallying cry for radical activists who justify harassment and even violence.
This isn’t just a theoretical discussion. During my teenage years, I witnessed fellow Republicans being called “fascists” by Amnesty International activists with little to no repercussions. Fast forward decades later, and the same slurs are still being shouted outside Capitol buildings without any pushback from law enforcement. The surrounding environment may have changed, but the underlying hatred remains unchanged.
Today’s Democrats have escalated their rhetoric, equating Republicans with Hitler and branding them as fascists due to their national platform.
At a CNN town hall not too long ago, then-Vice President Kamala Harris referred to Donald Trump as a fascist. More recently, the White House press secretary adopted a similar tone, labeling Trump as such.
The word “fascist” has resurfaced prominently in this year’s Virginia attorney general election. In leaked messages, Democrat candidate Jay Jones even fantasized about harming his political opponents by suggesting he might put “two bullets” in their heads, all because he believed they were raising “little fascists.”
Those on the liberal side engaging in such rhetoric know exactly what they’re doing. For example, California Governor Gavin Newsom has made clear calls to label Republicans as fascists, indicating that this is a way to signal to their supporters that conservatives are not just mistaken but fundamentally evil. Such framing makes violence seem more justifiable.
Let’s be clear: being a Republican does not mean you embody fascism. In fact, some of the most oppressive policies during my political career have come from the Democratic Party, especially during the COVID-19 government shutdowns instigated by figures like Gavin Newsom.
Media outlets and intellectuals must be prepared to publicly denounce the divisive rhetoric coming from Democrats, even if it’s just a tweet from Gavin Newsom or serious threats from Jay Jones about harming political opponents and their “fascist” children.
It’s crucial for the media and nonpartisan academics to call out not just those like Jay Jones who promote violence, but also those who glorify figures who commit heinous acts.
Yes, sensational headlines draw clicks and generate revenue. But we’ve entered an age of sensational journalism, and we risk losing the possibility of bipartisanship for years to come.
It’s time for both Democrats and the media to practice restraint, reject the politics of demonization, and restore respect for genuine debate. America deserves better, and that begins with Democrats showing the courage to ask Jay Jones to step down and to retire the term “fascist” from the political lexicon altogether.
