Carl And I Agree December 17, 2025December 16, 2025 He writes, in response to yesterday‘s post: Rob Reiner was the ultimate mensch for me too. I agree Trump was 100% wrong to say what he did. If you remember I said he has flaws he is at times crude and talks before he thinks. But I don’t remember Meathead calling Archie Hitler or fascist. I don’t remember him saying Archie is “the single most unqualified human being to ever be a father” or in the case of Trump “assume the presidency of the United States.” In 2017, Reiner told Variety at the Dubai International Film Festival that Trump was “mentally unfit” to serve as president. “Do we want fascism or do we want to continue the 248 years of self-rule?” he asked during the interview. “Do we want to continue democracy or do we want to slip into fascism?” I replied: We seem to agree not just that Rob Reiner was a mensch but also that fascism is a bad thing. When I look up the characteristics of a fascist leader, Trump seems to check all the boxes: Authoritarian Rule — Centralized power under a single leader or party, rejecting democracy. Cult of Personality — Leader portrayed as infallible, heroic, or the embodiment of the nation. Ultranationalism — Extreme devotion to the nation or race, often tied to myths of national rebirth. Militarism — Glorification of war, violence, and military strength as tools of renewal. Suppression of Opposition — Forcible silencing of dissent, censorship, imprisonment, or elimination of rivals. Scapegoating & Demonization — Targeting minorities, immigrants, or political opponents as “enemies” of the nation. Rigid Social Hierarchy — Belief in natural inequality, with strict class, racial, or gender roles. Economic Control (Dirigisme) — State intervention in the economy to achieve self‑sufficiency (autarky). Mass Mobilization — Use of propaganda, rallies, and symbols to unify citizens under one ideology. Anti‑Liberalism & Anti‑Communism — Rejection of pluralism, socialism, and liberal democracy as “degenerate.” How do YOU define fascism, and/or what do YOU see as the characteristics of a fascist leader? I might have added that most of us are careful NOT to call Trump Hitler. There’s a distinction between that and noting (for example) that he kept a book of Hitler’s speeches by his bedside or that there are stylistic parallels. And I might have added that Rob wasn’t the only one to call Trump out as mentally unfit for the job. His niece Mary, for example. His ghost writer Tony Schwartz. Senator Lindsey Graham, who called him “batshit crazy.” See, also: The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President. If Carl responds, I’ll let you know. BONUS Peter Thiel and the Anti-Christ (90 seconds).