Chris Hedges argues that "the rule of idiots" signifies the final stage of collapsing empires, where a society's "collective stupidity" and "loss of reality" lead to its downfall. Drawing parallels between historical empires like Rome and contemporary America, Hedges contends that leaders like Donald Trump embody this idiocy, mirroring societal pathologies rather than creating them. These "idiots" prioritize "spectacle" and self-enrichment, destroying institutions and rational discourse while neglecting critical issues like the climate crisis or economic inequality. Ultimately, Hedges suggests that this decay stems from a public conditioned to embrace "collective thoughtlessness" and a ruling class that has inverted moral norms, prioritizing self-interest over the common good and transforming democratic institutions into tools of exploitation.

Drawing parallels to historical periods of totalitarianism, historians and experts express deep concern about events in the United States, citing actions like deportations without trials, purges within government agencies, and a climate of fear that discourages dissent. Some are choosing to leave the country or American universities to continue their work freely, emphasizing the historical lesson of acting early when facing potential authoritarianism. The source warns against American exceptionalism, arguing that believing the U.S. is immune to such threats can lead to a normalization of concerning trends, potentially narrowing definitions of freedom until they resemble authoritarianism. It highlights the importance of strengthening democratic institutions like the media, universities, and courts as crucial safeguards against a slide towards authoritarianism, drawing on examples like Poland where a free press helped prevent a full authoritarian shift.

This source argues that former President Trump's proposed tariff on foreign films and the regulation of content in state universities, particularly in Texas, are attempts to control the ideas and information available to the American public. The author believes these actions, aimed at limiting exposure to provocative or "left-wing" perspectives and promoting a narrow "right-wing" agenda, are indicative of a fascist approach. By limiting access to diverse viewpoints and restricting academic freedom, the author suggests these efforts are ultimately designed to prevent critical thinking and enforce a specific ideology, which the source links to historical examples of fascist regimes' control over intellectual life.

Fascism is a form of government which is a type of one-party dictatorship. Fascists are against democracy. They work for a totalitarian one-party state. ... The two first fascist leaders were Mussolini and Hitler.