"often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition"

Fascists rely heavily on propaganda and culture war topics to rally their base, viewing themselves as the centers of moral and ethical authority, and the outgroups, which only they are allowed to define, as inherently evil.

Republicans in office have been heavily weaponizing this, which is why their political platforms have increasingly become culture war topics and little to do with actual governance. The goal is to centralize power into their authority and punish/eliminate the outgroups to continue the power consolidation.

In the US's case, it has a very religious overtone, akin to the movement that resulted in Hungary's Viktor Orban, a figure coveted by the American right. The fascist movement there has resulted in immense damage to their country, especially minority groups that are openly viewed as non human by the government and state run media there, while continually consolidating the power to Orban and his selected group. The American right openly states Orban and Hungary are the model to move the US towards.