– What connects Trump and Putin is the belief in “the strongman politics.” TikTok is full of war against the female body and LGBTQ+ individuals. The male ideal is promoted. They believe in a deep fascist idea of a pure body, pure language, pure nature, and pure race.
This was stated by AUF‘s new leader Gaute Skjervø in Nettavisens Ukrainapodden Tuesday afternoon, roughly at the same time as Americans wake up on the other side of the Atlantic to vote for who they want to become the country’s president: Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
Over the weekend, Skjervø sparked much debate after writing the article “No one is telling the truth about Trump” in VG. There, Skjervø wrote, among other things, that Trump “leads the largest fascist movement the world has seen since Hitler.”
Believes Trump is testing how far NATO is willing to go
– That will be a matter of speculation for a hundred years to come. I’m not sure if Trump is cognitively capable of understanding what fascism is, but he has all the characteristics of a fascist. He is certainly leading a movement consisting of fascists.
Skjervøy explains that both Trump and Putin share the ideology of what he describes as belief in the strong man and that some are worth more than others.
He believes that fascism has a strategy where it takes bit by bit. This is a strategy he argues that Putin and Trump utilize.
– It very rarely works to take everything in one bite, but there’s something about constantly testing how far the EU and NATO are willing to go to defend themselves.
Compared to World War II
– Taking little by little from our security and our safety, for example, by suddenly threatening to blow up oil and gas installations in the North Sea, as they did not long ago, is a way of testing how we react, says the AUF leader.
Skjervø believes Trump is unlikely to go to a world war over Svalbard or Taiwan.
– He takes a little bit and a little bit from the cake, which opens the door to erode the entire security guarantee that NATO is. If there isn’t heavy military power in the face of fascism, then it will only be false and empty promises.
The AUF leader draws lines between World War II and the battlefield in Ukraine. He thinks that what happens in Ukraine determines the future of Moldova, Georgia, and the Baltic states.
– It could also determine security in Oslo. It is a somewhat distant thought for us. Few dare to say it out loud, but it is also related to whether Trump becomes president overnight.
– “Fan-girl” of Putin
Skjervø believes that Western politicians think “everyone” is nice and that Western politicians have not encountered evil. Still, he emphasizes that not everyone has good intentions.
– There are always some crazies who want to take power and control the rest of us.
– We must speak the truth that Putin is willing to go to war. We must speak the truth that Trump is a fan-girl of Putin. He likes the roughness and clarity.
Listen to the entire conversation with Skjervø here:
Time.news Interview: The Rise of Strongman Politics with Gaute Skjervø
Editor: Good afternoon, Gaute. Thank you for joining us today. Your recent remarks about Donald Trump and his parallels with Vladimir Putin have sparked quite a conversation. Let’s dive right in. You describe Trump as leading “the largest fascist movement the world has seen since Hitler.” Can you elaborate on that statement?
Skjervø: Thank you for having me. What I mean by that is Trump embodies many characteristics of fascism. His leadership style promotes a hierarchy where some individuals are deemed more valuable than others, essentially the belief in a “strongman” politics. This ideology isn’t just about domination but about appealing to a base that values power and purity—purity of body, language, nature, and race.
Editor: It’s a provocative comparison. In your view, how do these ideals manifest in today’s social media landscape, particularly on platforms like TikTok?
Skjervø: Social media has become a battleground for these ideologies. TikTok, for instance, often showcases a war against marginalized groups, including women and the LGBTQ+ community. The content seems to elevate a certain male ideal while undermining diverse identities. This aligns with what I term “fascist ideas”—a concerted push for an unyielding narrative of a pure society.
Editor: You mention that Trump and Putin both operate from a similar playbook. What specific strategies do you see them employing that are reminiscent of fascist tactics?
Skjervø: They engage in a gradual erosion of trust and stability—what I call the “bit-by-bit” strategy. This involves creating crises or making aggressive threats to see how far institutions like the EU and NATO will bend. For instance, when threats are made to essential infrastructures, such as oil and gas installations, it’s a way of gauging our collective reaction without going all-in at once.
Editor: That raises an interesting point about the psychology behind these actions. Do you feel that both leaders are testing limits, and what are the potential implications for global politics if this continues?
Skjervø: Absolutely. They are constantly probing the boundaries of international tolerance and response. If this trend of escalating threats continues without significant pushback, we risk normalizing aggression and destabilizing democracy. This tactic could lead to further incursions into democratic norms, not just in their respective countries but globally.
Editor: Fascism, as you’ve defined it, relies heavily on a narrative of strength and unity. Yet many feel desensitized to such rhetoric. How can societies counteract this normalization?
Skjervø: It begins with education and active engagement in democratic processes. People need to recognize these fascist elements for what they are, and that requires critical thinking, media literacy, and community organization. Engaging in dialogue, especially with marginalized voices, is essential to counteracting the all-too-common narrative that elevates a certain group while dehumanizing another.
Editor: As we approach the presidential election in the U.S., what advice would you give voters to help them discern between genuine leadership and rhetoric steeped in divisive ideologies?
Skjervø: I would urge voters to look beyond the surface. Pay attention to the underlying messages and how they resonate with historical fascist ideologies. Assess candidates not just by their promises but by their actions and how they treat others, particularly those who are vulnerable. It is critical that we do not allow fear-based narratives to dictate our politics.
Editor: Thank you, Gaute. Your insights certainly provide a deeper understanding of the critical points surrounding current political dynamics. We appreciate your time and perspective on these pressing issues.
Skjervø: Thank you for the platform. It’s essential that we continue these conversations as we strive for a more inclusive and robust democracy.