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Making Sense with Sam Harris
Making Sense with Sam Harris

#456 — American Fascism

February 04, 2026 • 21m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

Jonathan Rauch joins Sam Harris to discuss his recent Atlantic article titled 'Yes, It's Fascism,' explaining why he has overcome his previous resistance to applying the term fascism to Trump's administration. Rauch initially characterized Trump as a patrimonialist rather than a fascist, but recent developments have led him to identify 18 characteristics of fascism now present in the current administration. The conversation explores the distinction between patrimonialism and fascism, examines specific fascist characteristics including norm demolition and glorification of violence, and discusses the implications of the administration's actions, particularly regarding the killing of a protester and the response from Second Amendment advocates.

From Patrimonialism to Fascism: A Painful Shift

Rauch explains his reluctance to use the term fascism and describes his previous classification of Trump as a patrimonialist—someone who treats the state as personal property. He details how patrimonialism differs from fascism in that it lacks ideological aggression and organized use of force, focusing instead on corruption and incompetence through replacing experts with personal loyalists. However, over the past year, Rauch observed so many properties associated with fascism emerging that he felt compelled to finally apply the label, identifying 18 characteristics that align with fascist governance.

  • Rauch wrote an article a year ago arguing Trump was a patrimonialist, not a fascist, treating the state as personal property and family business
  • Patrimonialism involves rampage through bureaucracy, cutting rules, replacing people with loyalists, leading to corruption and incompetence
  • Unlike fascism, patrimonialism is not ideological, not aggressive, and not interested in force or territorial expansion
  • Over recent weeks and months, so many fascist properties emerged that withholding the label became perverse
  • Rauch identified 18 characteristics associated with fascism now present in the current administration
" This is the article I had hoped never to write. A year ago in The Atlantic, I wrote an article saying that Trump was not a fascist. He's a patrimonialist. "
" The opposite of patrimonialism is not democracy it bureaucracy. Because what they want to do is weaken all the tendons in the bureaucracies that make government competent because you don't want experts. Experts are loyal to ideals and professional standards. You want people who are loyal only to you. "

The Damage of Patrimonialism Alone

Before reaching fascism, the Trump administration's patrimonialism has already caused severe damage to America's institutions and global standing. The administration has turned government policy into opportunities for personal enrichment, with examples like the Vietnam tariff situation where a $1.5 billion Trump resort deal led to tariff removal. The Trump family has enriched itself by billions of dollars through such arrangements, representing an unprecedented corruption of American governance that undermines competence and integrity regardless of whether fascism is the correct label.

  • Vietnam received relief from 46% tariffs after greenlighting a $1.5 billion Trump resort deal
  • The Trump family has enriched itself by at least $1-3 billion, possibly more
  • This corruption is despicable and destructive of America's standing in the world
  • Patrimonialism was already more than bad enough before the emergence of fascist characteristics

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