The Current

Republicans call out Donald Trump on 'fascist' remarks

Those tracking Donald Trump's once-entertaining bombast are now getting concerned, pointing to his xenophobia, ultra-patriotism and many vows to expel or monitor identifiable minorities, as examples of something ominous in U.S. politics. They are using the F-word. So... Is Donald Trump a fascist?
Critics, including some Republicans, are calling Donald Trump a fascist because of recent statements about African-Americans, Muslims, and Hispanics. (Reuters/Scott Audette)

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists."- Donald Trump

Just one of many incendiary comments Donald Trump has made during his bid to become the U.S. Republican presidential candidate.

His constant stream of controversial comments about women, African-Americans, Hispanics and Muslims have made headlines... since the summer.  And while he's consistently topped opinion polls, the billionaire developer and former star of NBC's "The Apprentice" has also been called sexist and racist. 

Now, after Mr. Trump told a reporter that Muslims in the United States should be registered in a special database following the Paris attacks ... some people say he should also be labelled a fascist. That word is even being used by a few people within the GOP.  

Our two guests say that while they don't use the term fascist lightly — it does apply to some of Donald Trump's statements.

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has voiced support for creating a mandatory database to track Muslims in the United States. 'I would certainly implement that. Absolutely,' Trump told an NBC News reporter between campaign events Thursday in Newton, Iowa, according to video posted on MSNBC.com. (Bryan Snyder/Reuters) (Bryan Snyder/Reuters)

While some prominent Republicans have endorsed the idea that Donald Trump is expressing fascist ideas, most of them stop short of that. And they disagree about whether Donald Trump is good for the Republican Party, The United States of America or the world. 

We contacted the Trump campaign headquarters to request an interview but haven't heard back. 
 

This segment was produced by The Current's Idella Sturino and  Gord Westmacott.