section_path: Invocations of the comparison/Invocations during the 2024 presidential campaign
section_name: Invocations during the 2024 presidential campaign
paragraph_text: Invocations during the 2024 presidential campaign
  
  Comparisons between Trump and fascism drawn by mainstream media increased substantially in 2023 and 2024, and during his 2024 presidential campaign, a growing number of scholars, historians, commentators, politicians, former Trump officials, and generals described Trump as a fascist.
  
  Trump was described as a fascist in October 2024 by John F. Kelly, Trump's former chief of staff during his presidential tenure. Referring to the definition of fascism as a far-right authoritarian ideology with elements of ultranationalism and a dictatorial leader, Kelly stated that Trump "certainly" meets the definition of a fascist, making it the first time a president has been called a fascist by a former hand-picked top adviser. Following the statements by Kelly, Karine Jean-Pierre stated that United States President Joe Biden agreed with the assertion that Trump is a fascist. Kamala Harris, Biden's vice president and Trump's opponent in the 2024 election, also stated that she considers Trump to be a fascist. Thirteen former Trump officials signed an open letter agreeing with Kelly's statements. Mark Esper, Secretary of Defense under Trump, also agreed with Kelly, saying Trump meets the definition of a fascist and has fascist instincts.
  
  Additionally, Mark Milley, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described Trump as "fascist to the core".
  
  Cornel West has described Trump as a fascist. Professor and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has publicly described Trump as a fascist. The Economist said it was reasonable to describe Trump as a modern iteration of fascism. Howard French stated that Trump is a fascist, but questioned whether the message would have helped Democrats to win the 2024 election. Peter Baker described Trump as the president who most aggressively discredited democracy at home while affiliating himself with autocrats abroad.