Unpopular Front Podcast John Ganz and Ross Barkan on the "Fascism Question"
Dec 31, 2025
Ross Barkan, a political journalist, brings his insights to a compelling debate on the 'fascism question.' He discusses Trump’s strongman aspirations and the limits of executive power within U.S. federalism. Barkan contextualizes America's historical abuses of power and examines the ideological chaos within Trump’s administration. The duo tackles the complexities of defining fascism and its applicability to current political dynamics, ultimately questioning whether elections can coexist with fascistic governance.
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Trump's Ambition Versus U.S. Structural Limits
- John Ganz says Trump longs to be a strongman and borrows models like Modi or Orban in aspiration and style.
- Ganz argues American federalism and institutional fragmentation make full fascist consolidation difficult here.
Movement Defined By Exclusion And Constitutional Rejection
- Ross Barkan contends Trump's movement resembles modern fascism through its rejection of constitutional rule and attacks on citizenship rights.
- He emphasizes ideological features like nativism, denaturalization, and attempts to place people 'beyond the law.'
Executive Abuse Can Be Reversed
- John Ganz highlights how executive abuses can be rolled back by future presidents, limiting lasting institutional transformation.
- He treats many abusive powers as continuations of older precedents rather than unique novelties.