The Big Lie

"What if those accusing you of being a fascist are actually the ones acting like fascists?" This question sits at the core of "The Big Lie," where Dinesh D’Souza claims to unveil the truth behind the politics of Left and Right.

1. Understanding the 'Big Lie' in Politics

In politics, sometimes the loudest accusation can be a form of transference. D’Souza draws from Sigmund Freud’s concept of transference, where an individual projects their own faults onto someone else. He argues that this phenomenon is actively at play in American politics. The Left accuses conservatives and Republicans of embracing fascism, but D’Souza flips the narrative, claiming it’s the Left that exhibits fascist tendencies.

Historically, groups within the Democratic Party supported slavery and racial segregation. According to D’Souza, they now engage in spreading what he labels a "big lie" to rewrite history, portraying themselves as champions of civil rights while condemning Republicans as inherently racist or authoritarian.

The accusation of Trump and Republicans being fascists is described as a deliberate strategy to discredit them. Statements from Democrats, academics, and the media allege that Trump mirrors fascist dictators, while Hollywood amplifies such claims, creating a resounding narrative that paints one side as evil.

Examples

• Chris Hedges described Trump’s presidency as a "dress rehearsal for fascism."
• Hollywood figures like Ashley Judd compared Trump to Hitler.
• Media outlets frequently accuse conservative movements of being authoritarian or racist.

2. Trump’s Ideologies Differ from Fascism

D’Souza claims Donald Trump isn’t a fascist, arguing that his policies and behaviors align with traditional American conservatism rather than totalitarian ideologies. He believes conservatism’s roots lie in maintaining the freedoms born of the American Revolution, such as capitalism, democracy, and religious liberty.

On the other side, fascism prioritizes the collective over the individual, with centralized authority governing economic and social life—a principle D’Souza attributes more to the Left. Progressives, who emphasize federal control and group identity politics, are characterized as favoring a collectivist agenda closer to fascism.

While Trump has been criticized for nationalism and patriotism, D’Souza draws a line between those concepts and the nationalism of Hitler or Mussolini. Trump’s use of national symbols, like the U.S. flag, reflects pride in tradition rather than a rejection of democratic principles.

Examples

• Trump’s critics often equate his “America First” rhetoric with authoritarian nationalism.
• Mussolini rejected Italian traditions, unlike Trump, who emphasizes historical American values.
• Trump’s endorsement by white supremacists like Richard Spencer is defensive but doesn’t directly make Trump a racist.

3. The Origins of Fascism in Socialist Movements

Contrary to the common view of fascism as a far-right ideology, D’Souza associates its origins with socialism. He describes Mussolini as a Marxist intellectual who pivoted when class-based revolts failed to materialize. Mussolini developed fascism as an alternative form of socialism, emphasizing national identity over class struggles.

D’Souza also portrays Hitler’s nationalism as rooted in socialist principles. The creation of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party) reflected an ideological blend of Marxist and nationalist elements, according to this narrative.

He argues that both fascism and socialism emerged from frustrations with capitalism, yet both systems centralized power and curtailed individual freedom—a pattern that D’Souza links to the American Left's agenda.

Examples

• Mussolini was heavily immersed in Marxist ideology early in his career.
• Hitler initially sought to unify nationalism and socialism under one banner.
• Fascism rose as workers’ conditions improved under capitalism, countering Marx’s prediction of proletariat revolts.

4. The Democrats’ History of Racism and Genocide

D'Souza claims the Democratic Party’s early policies parallel aspects of the Nazi regime. The treatment of Native Americans under President Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act served as inspiration for Hitler’s policy of Lebensraum. Furthermore, the author likens the forced displacement of Native Americans to the ethnic cleansing strategies later employed by the Nazis.

The Democrats’ history with slavery is another focal point. D’Souza contends that the structural racial hierarchy imposed in the South under democratic administrations mirrored the practices of Nazi labor camps, which dehumanized and exploited Jewish people.

He concludes that systemic racism and genocide—practices often attributed to fascist regimes—can be found in the actions of the historical Democratic Party.

Examples

• Lebensraum mirrors the westward land seizures in America.
• The Confederate South, loyal to the Democrats, upheld slavery, while Republicans opposed it.
• California Governor Peter Burnett once openly endorsed genocide against Native Americans.

5. Segregation Laws Influenced the Nazis

The segregation laws enforced by the Democrats in the South helped shape Nazi Germany’s racial policies. Heinrich Krieger, a German lawyer, studied American segregation laws and adapted them into the notorious Nuremberg Laws. The parallels between the two systems reveal an uncomfortable connection between pre-civil rights America and totalitarian Germany.

D’Souza situates anti-capitalism at the heart of anti-Semitic ideologies, which he also connects to the Left. Hitler blamed Jews for exploiting capitalism, a sentiment that D’Souza argues can also be found in some socialist narratives.

He claims this historical trajectory makes the Democratic Party complicit in laying ideological groundwork for Nazi racial policies.

Examples

• Heinrich Krieger used American race law as a framework for Nuremberg’s anti-Jewish measures.
• The Nuremberg Laws resembled American bans on interracial marriage.
• Hitler’s critiques of “Jewish capitalism” parallel Marx’s anti-capitalist views.

6. Eugenics Ties Progressives to Nazism

D’Souza discusses how American progressives in the early twentieth century supported eugenics to improve societal “fitness.” He draws a chilling connection between forced sterilizations in the U.S. and similar practices carried out by the Nazis.

He highlights Kermit Gosnell’s abortion clinic as an example of progressive eugenics in practice. Although Gosnell’s criminal actions shocked many, D’Souza suggests that his methods reflect the same ideological roots that gave rise to Nazi experiments on human lives.

He also critiques Planned Parenthood, tying its early advocacy for birth control and sterilization to eugenic motivations. To D’Souza, this historical precedent brands the Left’s social policies as ethically fraught.

Examples

• Indiana passed compulsory sterilization laws similar to Nazi eugenics measures.
• Margaret Sanger’s advocacy for reproductive control aligns with eugenic thinking.
• Kermit Gosnell rationalized late-term abortions with a utilitarian logic.

7. Roosevelt’s Fascist Legacy

Franklin D. Roosevelt, lionized by progressives, is reinterpreted by D’Souza as a proto-fascist who expanded state control during the Great Depression. D’Souza criticizes the New Deal for concentrating economic and political power—a commonality shared with fascist regimes.

D’Souza goes further to claim FDR’s style of leadership inspired admiration from Mussolini and even Hitler, proving that economic interventions could appeal to authoritarian leaders.

He also includes Woodrow Wilson as a foundational figure in shaping Left-wing authoritarian ideals in America. Wilson's screening of “The Birth of a Nation” is portrayed as a deliberate embrace of racial inequality and proto-fascist ideology.

Examples

• The National Recovery Act echoes centralized controls in fascist systems.
• The New Deal found praise in Nazi newspapers for its collectivist policies.
• Wilson’s endorsement of racial segregation reverberated throughout his administration.

8. Institutional Power of the Left

D’Souza claims the Left’s dominance in academia, media, and Hollywood allows it to shape public narratives. By sidelining conservative voices, these institutions perpetuate progressive ideas and marginalize dissent.

He criticizes universities for bias in hiring decisions and sees a pipeline of ideological indoctrination, starting in classrooms and ending in entertainment and media.

He also accuses prominent figures and movements on the Left, such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa, of stifling free speech while pushing an alleged agenda rooted in repressive tolerance.

Examples

• CNN and the New York Times reinforce Left perspectives in mainstream media.
• Universities hire disproportionately fewer conservative faculty members.
• Films and shows frequently glorify leftist icons like Che Guevara.

9. A Call to Conservative Resistance

D’Souza concludes that conservatives must actively oppose what he sees as the Left’s fascist tendencies. He insists on the need for Republicans to embrace conservative policies unapologetically while dismantling progressive reforms.

He emphasizes shrinking government programs and reforming welfare as essential strategies. Additionally, he calls for law enforcement to intervene against violent protests from groups like Antifa.

Most importantly, securing judicial appointments with conservative judges would ensure the endurance of the Republican vision for future generations.

Examples

• Conservatives must resist "appeasement" of the progressive agenda.
• Rolling back Obamacare is presented as a way to shrink federal influence.
• Strong law enforcement measures would address violent Left-leaning protests.

Takeaways

1. Challenge popular narratives by researching both sides of controversial topics.
2. Support candidates and policies that align with your principles, particularly on free-market economics and restrained government.
3. Stay informed and engaged about the influence of media and educational institutions in shaping political ideologies.