Maybe Americans 'don't understand what fascism is': Political expert baffled by CNN poll

A political expert warned on CNN on Friday that America could become an "oligarchy" with "crony capitalism" — and said what's at stake in the election is, "Do we want an American [Vladimir] Putin?"

Jonathan Alter, author of "American Reckoning," joined Wolf Blitzer on "The Situation Room" on Friday to discuss a new poll showing nearly half of Americans think former President Donald Trump is a "fascist" — with the race essentially tied in the polls.

Alter called the report "tough" and said it's why the "stakes are so high."

"Do we want to become an oligarchy full of crony capitalism? 'Do we want an American Putin?' is really what's on offer in this election," he said.

Trump is manipulated by the Russian president, and Alter warned that explosive new reporting that Elon Musk has also been having regular talks with Putin is "seriously disturbing."

He said he's "glad" fascism is being debated — and it should've been debated "quite a while ago."

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"Maybe some people don't understand what fascism is," he said. "But all they have to do is read a little history about a guy named Adolf Hitler and they might get a better sense of what we have in store if we elect this entirely unfit man as president of the United States."

Alter noted that fascists and dictators have a "thirst for power" and try to accumulate as much power as possible. He also pointed out that Trump plans to use his power to go after political enemies.

"That is a violation of what we stand for in this country," he said. "Part of this election is about who we are as a people. What do we represent? Do we represent the ideals of the founders, of democracy and freedom? Or do we want to go the strongman route?"

Alter warned dictators will telegraph what they plan to do — "Mein Kampf is the most truthful thing that Adolf Hitler ever wrote," he said. Trump is doing the same.

"I'm hoping — I'm praying, actually, that people wake up and smell the coffee and understand the stakes. Concentrate less on the horse race in the media and concentrate on what's at stake for our country."

Watch the clip below or at this link.