The article examines the intense academic and political debate over whether Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th U.S. president, can be classified as a fascist—a discussion that began in 2015 and escalated sharply during his 2024 campaign and second term. Critics and scholars point to his support for political violence, particularly the January 6 Capitol attack, his anti-democratic rhetoric, and xenophobic policies like mass deportation, drawing direct parallels to historical fascist leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler. However, other academics reject the label, instead characterizing him as an authoritarian populist, far-right populist, or nationalist, noting significant differences from 20th-century fascism. The article highlights striking polling data, including an October 2024 ABC/Ipsos survey where 49% of registered voters considered Trump a fascist, and a YouGov poll showing nearly half of Trump voters would support a candidate who praised Hitler. Additionally, his MAGA movement is often analyzed as a cult of personality, with the January 6 attack prompting renewed scholarly scrutiny of the authoritarian elements within his governance style.