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August 20, 2025

Is the U.S. Really Becoming Fascist? Lessons from 20th Century Germany & Austria

1 hour 6 minutes

In this episode, I chat with historian Dr. Eric Grube to explore one of the most urgent and unsettling questions today: Is the U.S. really on the path toward fascism?

We trace the rise of fascism in Germany and Austria in the early 20th century, unpacking how fragile democracies collapsed under economic crisis, polarization, and violence. But the story isn’t just about inevitability; it’s about choices, crossroads, and the ways people either defended or dismantled democracy.

Together we ask:

What warning signs from 1930s Europe resonate with the U.S. today?

Where are the crucial differences? Does the U.S. have guardrails that might hold?

And most importantly: what lessons can Americans learn now, before it’s too late?

This is a conversation about history, but it’s also about the present. Because, as they say, while history doesn’t repeat itself, it often rhymes.

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By Nick Zenkin