Fascism is a powerful and controversial term. It should be used very sparingly and only when clearly appropriate. Many people think of fascism in relation to established dictators, brutal political censorship, or mass murders. Those have been common expressions of fascism historically, but it takes other less monstrous forms as well. For example, one central aspect of fascism reveals itself when a leader or a political movement consistently exercises tendencies that aim to stamp out democratic institutions and punish their critics. Over a period of many years, Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he merits the description entailed in the full meaning of this word, including many other specific elements, as shown below. Keep in mind his hostile reactions to any non-believers in Trumpism (his patterns of thought and behavior) and his effusive admiration toward recent authoritarian and fiercely anti-democratic leaders such as Muammar Gaddafi, Vladimir Putin, Saddam Hussein, Kim…