American Descent | Ben Rhodes

In March, thousands of Russians gathered in Moscow's Red Square to celebrate Vladimir Putin's reelection, showcasing a display of patriotism with tricolor flags. However, the legitimacy of this support is questionable, as voicing dissent within Russia can lead to imprisonment, and critics abroad are also targeted. The election results indicated over 87 percent of the vote for Putin, raising concerns about the authenticity of the displayed nationalism. This situation parallels trends in the United States, where populist leaders like Trump utilize grievance-based nationalism to consolidate power. Scholars like Finchelstein highlight the blurred lines between populism and fascism, noting that while Trump faced opposition during his presidency, his post-2020 election behavior raised alarms about potential authoritarianism. The rhetoric surrounding immigration and national identity has become increasingly xenophobic, echoing historical fascist sentiments. The rise of such political figures globally suggests a worrying trend towards extremism, with the U.S. possibly further along this path than recognized. The ongoing challenge for American society is to reject politicians with fascistic tendencies before they can enact harmful policies, drawing parallels to the actions of leaders like Putin and others worldwide.