Fascism Rising
Two-thirds of Americans today say they’re worried about the rise of authoritarianism in the US. If you’re not among them, consider that you might just be in a dangerous state of denial.
- Trump and his voters are dismantling the foundations of our democracy, replacing the rule of law with an out-of-control oligarchy. Many scholars openly call this “a new era of fascism.”
- The US Supreme Court has declared Trump largely immune from criminal prosecution. Checks and balances are almost non-existent.
- Our country has built concentration camps in Florida to hold legal immigrants, with more expanding in other states.
- ICE thugs are kidnapping people off the streets all across the country without so much as a hint of due process.
- Trump acolytes are being installed in senior US intelligence and military roles, seemingly free to do whatever they want.
- Media outlets that challenge Trump are under attack.
- Trump has weaponized the Department of Justice and the US court system to attack his political enemies.
But beyond these basics of fascism, there’s another unique feature of this new era: the powerful influence of billionaire tech entrepreneurs. For many, the mention of “tech bros” conjures up images of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. But there are others who are even more dangerous. One oligarch in particular – a tech bro named Peter Thiel – stands out for his financial clout and ideological fantasies. Thiel’s relationship with Trump and his broader efforts to reshape American political culture provide a frightening lesson in how wealth and technological power are undermining our democracy.
Thiel’s Unique Brand of Extremism
Peter Thiel is a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, a company that designs and manages big data platforms. Thiel has long expressed skepticism about democratic institutions, as well as contempt for American government. In 2009, Thiel said, “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible,” underscoring his preference for elite privilege over popular sovereignty. He wants people just like him running the show.
But Thiel’s vision isn’t just rhetorical. He’s spent billions funding candidates, think tanks, and media ventures that promote anti-democratic ideas. Palantir, in particular, is deeply entwined with Trump’s national security state, providing surveillance tools to government agencies and advocating for extrajudicial methods of governance that bypass traditional checks and balances. Palantir is considered to be one of the go-to platforms for Trump’s national database of US citizens. Big brother is watching.
Thiel’s personal alliance with Trump is especially problematic. He was one of the few Silicon Valley leaders to support Trump’s 2016 campaign, and his financial support has only grown since then. Thiel has funded the campaigns of candidates including J.D. Vance in Ohio and Blake Masters in Arizona, both of whom are hard-core election deniers. In Trumpworld, Thiel’s influence extends beyond the vice president into the highest levels of government, with several key members of the administration and National Security Council financially or politically beholden to him.
Fighting Back Against A New American Fascism
Some argue that Thiel’s version of fascism is new, while others say it’s the same old pathology with better tools and more money. In either case, what is new is the role of one billionaire extremist with vast resources, technological prowess, and an eagerness to break democratic norms in pursuit of his vision. Add in the takeover of the GOP by fascist enablers like Thom Tillis and Richard Hudson, and you have a perfectly dangerous storm.
But rolling over and ceding even more ground is unthinkable. We have to fight back, even though it sometimes seems hopeless.
- Start now to register new voters. This is one of our never ending missions.
- Find strong local and Congressional candidates and contribute to their campaigns. Make every dollar count. One of my early favorites for Congress is Richard Ojeda, a retired Army major running for Congress in NC-9. That’s a winnable district.
- Find groups who are thinking outside the box and provide whatever resources you can. Consider supporting ICEBlock, a new way to spread the word about ICE activities. Using the Ice Block app is legal, because its only purpose is for notification and awareness. It is not intended to interfere with law enforcement.
- Another on-the-ground effort is being developed by a group called the Save America Movement. They’re launching Liberty Vans, consisting of mobile response teams with cameras, chaplains, lawyers and veterans to follow ICE in real time, film them, and show the world what’s happening in our communities. Reverend Barber is involved in this project.
Most importantly, we must raise holy hell. All of us need to find our voices and express our outrage. That means stepping outside our comfort zones. I’m not saying that you should be mad 100% of the time, but I am saying you should be a lot more angry – and a lot more vocal – than you currently are. No one is coming to save the day. It’s up to us.
