TRUMP HAS ONLY TWO CHOICES FASCIST OR ANTI-FASCIST

 The assertion that fascism requires and creates a binary of "fascists and anti-fascists" reflects a common characteristic of fascist rhetoric, which relies on a clear distinction between an in-group and an out-group. However, this binary is not an objective description of political reality but a tool used by fascists to achieve their goals.

Scholarly analysis reveals that this rhetorical device is central to fascist movements for several reasons:

A "friend-enemy" distinction: Scholar Jason Stanley, for example, identifies the friend-enemy binary as a core pillar of fascist politics. This distinction is used to frame political discourse, casting the in-group as virtuous and patriotic, while demonizing all opponents—political, ethnic, or otherwise—as traitors and "enemies of civilization".

Victimhood and mobilization: Fascist movements often portray their own group as historically victimized and oppressed. This narrative is used to justify the pursuit of power and to galvanize followers into action, promising liberation and a return to a supposedly more glorious past.

Justification of violence: By framing all opposition as an existential threat, the friend-enemy distinction justifies the use of violence against perceived enemies. Historically, this has led to campaigns of terror, massacres, and even genocide.

The construction of an "us vs. them" narrative: The binary simplifies complex social and political issues into a primal conflict. Instead of engaging in reasoned debate, this narrative creates a state of "unreality" where conspiracy theories and emotionally charged appeals replace rational discourse.

The anti-fascist response
While the "fascist vs. anti-fascist" binary is a fascist construct, the rise of fascism has historically prompted a real-world anti-fascist response.

A broad coalition: The anti-fascist movement has never been monolithic. In the early 20th century, and in later periods, it united a wide range of groups—including anarchists, communists, socialists, and liberal democrats—who set aside their differences to oppose the existential threat of fascism.

The threat to institutions: In countries where fascism gained a foothold, it was often through democratic means, which were then used to dismantle democracy itself. This has led to the argument that a strong, institutionalized response is necessary to combat fascist encroachment.

Tactics and methods: The methods of anti-fascist resistance have varied, ranging from electoral politics to street demonstrations, boycotts, and, in some cases, militant opposition. Anti-fascists sometimes justify their use of violence as a necessary reaction to the inherent violence of fascism.

Critiques of the binary framework
While useful for understanding fascist tactics, the strict fascist/anti-fascist binary has limitations.

Oversimplification: Critics point out that equating all opposition with a specific label, such as "fascist," can be a polemical tactic that obscures important distinctions and nuances in political movements. This approach can also be used to dismiss and attack political opponents.

Negation, not a positive program: Fascism's identity is often built on what it is against (e.g., anti-liberalism, anti-communism) rather than a coherent positive program. An anti-fascist movement, by its nature, is defined by its opposition to fascism and is therefore just as diverse as the many elements fascism negate