Is Trump a Fascist and is his War with Iran Unwinnable?

Alastair Campbell· Host0:00

Thanks for listening to The Rest is Politics. To support the podcast, listen without the adverts, and get early access to episodes and live show tickets, go to therestispolitics.com. That's therestispolitics.com. Is Trump a fascist?

Dominic Sandbrook· Host0:15

When you say, "I think Donald Trump is a fascist," they often mean, "This person is very right-wing, and I don't like them."

Alastair Campbell· Host0:20

Far-right authoritarian nationalism, obsession with military strength and centralized power, a determination to suppress opposition. I think he ticks a good ninety percent of that.

Dominic Sandbrook· Host0:30

Trump is a narcissist. He's only interested in himself. I don't think he's powered by a wider ideology.

Alastair Campbell· Host0:35

We're dealing with somebody who is surrounded by sycophants, nobody talking the truth to him. That's what happens with a cult. It is a cult.

Dominic Sandbrook· Host0:42

Is there not a slippage here between the tribalism and the cult, as it were?

Alastair Campbell· Host0:47

[upbeat music] Now, Rory Stewart has decided that he and his family should have a podcast free holiday. But I, obsessive that I am, having never missed a week in the Olympiad we've been doing this, I am here with an absolutely brilliant stand-in. So welcome to The Rest is Politics with me, Alastair Campbell.

Dominic Sandbrook· Host1:13

And me, Dominic Sandbrook.

Alastair Campbell· Host1:15

There we go. It is none other than Dominic Sandbrook from our sister podcast, The Rest is History, and now also co-presenter of Goldhanger's new show, The Book Club. And boy, do we love books, and are we living