This certainly was the case although I think it is fairly naive (may be too harsh a word) to pretend the situation has remained constant between Trump 1.0 and Trump 2.0. The government has effectively been purged; unqualified sycophants have been installed in all critical positions. If you disagree with that, then i'm all ears. Personally, I agree with the sentiments of B. Sanders that it has shifted to an oligarchic form of governance & society (can unpack full reasoning if curious). Aside from Trump & his inner circle, I also see media/algorithms as a key factor; for an example refer to @Isz's recent post.
I also view that DOGE served to dismantle bureaucracy, not efficiency - relevant but will hold off that for now.
When making an argument, i've started focusing on addressing ~ 1 point per post. If you don't mind, in a later one i'm keen to expand on the fascism / hysteria argument you raised above. If not interested, then you can skip past the remainder of this post:
It'd be good if you could expand at least a little on what meets the criteria for fascism (in your view).
We've obviously had the Nazi (Nationalist Socialist) party and Italian examples. Both are considered 'fascist', though the word was only employed by Mussolini's 'Republican Fascist Party'. Im particularly interested in the specific traits that allowed people to classify the Nazi ideology / movement as a 'fascist' one. Also, if you consider that the Nazi's were fascist from the start, how so? If the term was only appropriate after a particular event or series of events, why then?
Once we get that background out of the way I feel we'll be well positioned to start considering the case of the US. Considering the same criteria, we can better argue whether or not concerns of 'fascist ideology' are unfounded or justified. I don't disagree that prevalent use of the term requires media to propagate (historically newspapers/radio, now social media and digital news organisations)
Firstly, it is without one doubt, that regardless of Congress, and who holds what musical chair for the day, the strings are pulled, bought, and paid for by a corporate deep state. This has been the case for decades, and will continue to be so for many more. That's a fact, not opinion.
Regarding the word fascist being used so haphazardly when describing a sleazy New York businessman, one could take numerous snapshots of the man's words, actions, relationships, etc over the last half century, and any historian would find it impossible to justify such a description.
Trump's economic policies, while nationalist and protectionist, are rooted in neoliberal/hypercapitalist frameworks, promoting deregulation and tax cuts - literally the two most anti-fascist mechanisms one could possibly conceive. This focus on aggressive free-market capitalism is in great contrast to the traditional 'state above all' economic structure of historical fascism.
While often criticizing press outlets, he and his supporters have selectively championed causes related to free speech on university campuses and in opposition to what they perceive as government-guided censorship on the internet.
Classically liberal, his efforts to eliminate DEI mandates and other identity-based bureaucratic initiatives are a principled stand for individual merit and individual equality over what he portrays as collectivist/socialist identity politics. Yet when asked a while ago about his opinions on gay marriage, his answer included the analogy of how great it is for people to go to a restaurant and order whatever they're into from the menu (real fascist...not!). Basically, his appeal taps into an anti-elite, populist sentiment that is more individualistic and anti-state bureaucracy, rather than demanding total submission to a powerful, all-encompassing state.
And to all the alarmists freaking out that he will never leave office, Trump has always operated within the existing framework of a multi-party system, elections, and an established bureaucracy. Unlike classical fascist leaders who seized power via paramilitary force or coup, Trump initially won and continues to seek power through the prescribed constitutional mechanism of the American election system.
Finally, Trump lacks any true foundational ideology (like the specific tenets of ultranationalism, militarism, etc) that defined the historical fascist movements. His actions are driven more by personal self-interest not some dedicated fascist program. Populism, by definition, requires a large, energized base of popular support and is a feature of many democracies. His consistent rhetoric against the Washington "swamp" and the political establishment can be seen as reflecting a desire to make the political system more responsive to the voters - a democratic ideal.
Let me be clear, I am not a fan of the man. But there have been/and are far worse. The hysteria against him is feverishly exaggerated