In today’s heated political climate, few words carry as much weight or spark as much debate as “fascist.” It’s a term hurled in protest signs, thrown around on social media, and used by critics to sound an alarm about what they see as a dangerous threat to democracy. At the same time, it’s often dismissed as a simple insult, stripped of its historical meaning.
This clash of definitions was on full display in a surprising and cordial meeting at the White House between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who has repeatedly used the word to describe the president. The encounter, filled with friendly gestures and jokes, left many observers wondering how such strong language could coexist with such a warm political photo op.
So, what does “fascism” really mean, and why does its modern usage matter? The word originates from the Italian “fascismo,” from the Latin “fasces,” which was a bundle of rods tied around an axe symbolizing strength through unity and state authority in ancient Rome. Historically, it refers to the far-right, authoritarian political movements that rose to prominence in early 20th-century Europe, most notably in Italy under Benito Mussolini and in Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler.
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Scholars often define it as a mass movement that emphasizes extreme nationalism, militarism, and the supremacy of the nation over the individual. It is characterized by a dictatorial leader, a centralized autocratic government, and the forcible suppression of opposition. A key element is the “palingenetic myth”—the idea of national rebirth or regeneration—promising to purge the country of decadent elements and restore it to a mythical past greatness.
The Modern Debate: Is the “F-Word” Accurate?
KRISTEN WELKER: Do you think that President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: That’s something that I’ve said in the past. I say it today.
KRISTEN WELKER: You’ve called him a despot. Do you still believe President Trump is a threat to the democracy?
MAMDANI: Everything that I’ve… pic.twitter.com/zzOu48lHSH
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 23, 2025
Today, the term is applied broadly, and the debate over whether it fits President Trump reveals just how charged the word has become. His former White House chief of staff, John Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general, recently stated that Trump “thinks” the principles of fascism “would work better in terms of running America.” Similarly, historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat has drawn direct parallels, noting that Trump’s rhetoric about America being an “occupied country” that he would “liberate,” and his focus on an “enemy within,” is “straight from fascism.” She and others point to a playbook that includes attacking political opponents, promising a return to a glorious past, and a focus on redemptive violence.
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However, many scholars urge caution. Some prefer terms like “authoritarian” or “illiberal” for Trump, arguing that they more concretely describe specific policy dangers without invoking the full, historical baggage of fascism. Historian Robert Paxton, whose work on the “five stages of fascism” is foundational, noted that the January 6th Capitol insurrection eliminated his own reservations about using the word for Trump. Yet he and others warn that its overuse can cheapen its meaning. The word has become so ubiquitous that it’s been applied to everything from soda bans to “Skinny-Tok,” transforming “fascism” into a cultural meme often used to signal imminent danger rather than a precise political analysis.
A Cordial Oval Office Meeting
Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: I’ve spoken about–
TRUMP: That’s okay. You can just say yes. I don’t mind. pic.twitter.com/uWZFRcmGxB
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 21, 2025
Against this backdrop of intense rhetorical warfare, the meeting between Trump and Mayor-elect Mamdani was strikingly friendly. For months, the two had traded insults, with Mamdani calling Trump a “fascist” and a “despot,” and Trump firing back by labeling Mamdani a “communist lunatic.” Yet in the Oval Office, they were all smiles, cracking jokes and offering one another friendly pats on the shoulder. When a reporter asked Mamdani if he stood by his previous characterization, Trump interjected humorously, “I’ve been called much worse than a despot.”
Mamdani confirmed he still believes Trump is a fascist, but explained that he was there to deliver for New Yorkers, focusing on shared concerns like the cost-of-living crisis. Both leaders pledged to work together for a “safe New York” and a “great New York,” with Trump even admitting he’d once dreamed of being the city’s mayor himself. The encounter demonstrated how political pragmatism can sometimes necessitate setting aside sharp ideological labels, even deeply held ones. For his constituents, Mamdani’s focus was on tangible outcomes, proving that in politics, a productive conversation can happen even between the most unlikely of pairs.
