@jayrosen_nyu First they conflated the word conservative with the word Republican, which, for a very brief time, might have made sense, if it was explained well enough. Next, they conflated this Trumpian thing, a species of personality cult, with Republicanism, which never made sense. And now, they have, by principle of unthinking transportation or absence of language creativity, conflated conservatism with Trumpism. This is what happens when your journalists (or their editors) lack historical perspective and adeptness with the language. It doesn’t help that the Republicans absorbed the Dixiecrats and that the party and structure that resulted was coopted by the Trumpists, but I think the American public is smart enough to appreciate the changes that occurred and for major media to make the distinctions. Joe’s got a good assimilative handle for it: Extreme MAGA Republicans.

It bears some resemblance to fascism, but in the end, I can’t really go there. Its myth of decadence is too selective, its ultra-nationalism nearly isolationist, and its militarism hardly different than what preceded it. We’re living with a cult, borne of a demagogue, with a nice helping of racial and ethnic bigotry. I wouldn’t dignify it with a political label that suggests a world view. It’s too confused and will o’ the wisp for such labels. I’m afraid we’re all painting around the margins somewhat with Trumpism. Reminiscent of a lot of bad shit, but essentially sui generis.