Dictators don’t just pop into existence with total authoritarian control, it takes the support of already powerful people to erode the checks on their power bit by bit, which Donald Trump has been doing with the support of his billionaire donors. Fascism emerges out of capitalist republics and has to overcome various obstacles to achieve total authority for the leader. Trump does not yet have total dictatorial power because there are still checks on the presidency that he and his movement have not yet succeeded in eroding.

It’s to help them feel smug and superior.