Historian Timothy Snyder argues the Trump administration’s turn toward authoritarian tactics is compromised by personal greed, turning political ambition into a financial grift. He contends advisors prioritize enrichment over coherent strategy, undermining the ability to pursue and win wars. Snyder also highlights reporting that Trump has profited from the presidency and that Iran’s military remains more capable than officials claim.
Historian Timothy Snyder: Trump’s ‘Fascist’ Posture Is Really a Grift Driven by Greed
Trump has used the presidency to make at least $1.4 billion since he took office, The New York Times reported in January. / Win McNamee / Getty Images
Timothy Snyder, a historian and former Yale professor, says the second Trump administration’s push toward authoritarian tactics is undermined by personal enrichment. Speaking on The Daily Beast Podcast, Snyder — known for his work on the Soviet Union, European history and the Holocaust — argued that the administration’s pursuit of power is more of a get-rich scheme than a coherent ideological movement.
“The fascists weren’t in it for the money, right? And these guys are in it for the money. They have fascist moments, but they’re distracted by their desire to die incredibly rich,”
Disruptions to the vital waterway has left fuel prices soaring and left already struggling airlines buckling under pressure. / Stringer / REUTERS
Snyder, 56, said historical fascist movements understood the strategic requirements of war and statecraft, whereas Trump’s circle lacks the long-term commitment and competence to follow through. “Fascists understood they needed to win wars, right? Whereas these guys don’t. I mean, they like to talk about winning, but they don’t have the wherewithal to think about what it actually means to win a war,” he told Daily Beast Executive Editor Hugh Dougherty.
The comments come amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran confrontation. Despite repeated predictions from President Trump and allies such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the conflict would be brief, the hostilities have continued beyond initial estimates and show no clear end in sight. After threatening renewed strikes when a ceasefire expired, Trump instead announced an open-ended pause pending a “unified proposal” from Iranian representatives; Tehran declined to attend talks in Islamabad while the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remained in place.
Hegseth has aggressively wielded his power over the military. / Carlos Barria / REUTERS
A recent CBS News report found that, contrary to claims from the White House and Pentagon that Iran’s military had been "decimated," Tehran retains capabilities that U.S. officials have downplayed.
“These guys are failed fascists. They want somebody else to do the work of fascism for them — they want to delegate it. Like, they want to do the prancing and the preening part, but they don’t want to do the other part.”
Trump has used his son-in-law and a real estate developer to handle some of the most delicate diplomatic proceedings in recent history. / Oman News Agency/Handout via REUTERS
Snyder named several figures he sees as emblematic of this dynamic, noting that the president bears primary responsibility for strategic failures but is surrounded by enablers. He singled out Pete Hegseth as an advocate for heavy-handed military responses and criticized advisors who appear beholden to private financial interests.
“On the practical side, making tons of money for yourself personally is inconsistent with the functioning of the state,” Snyder said. He argued that when powerful figures face a choice between preserving an effective civil service and personal enrichment, their past behavior predicts they will choose profit. The New York Times reported in January that Trump has used the presidency to generate at least $1.4 billion in personal revenue. Forbes has linked Jared Kushner’s rise in wealth to Middle Eastern backers developed through his proximity to the president, and real estate investor Steve Witkoff has also benefited from ties to the Trump family.
A representation of the $Trump meme coin. / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Snyder added: “With Trump; sure, he would like to have lots of power, but the people who are naturally around him are chaos makers who tend to see disruption as an opportunity to take lots of money.”
The Daily Beast reached out to J.D. Vance, the Pentagon, Affinity Partners (linked to Jared Kushner), and The Witkoff Group for comment. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly provided three statements defending the president, praising Kushner’s diplomatic record and lauding Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s work, while disputing allegations of conflicts of interest.
Context: Snyder’s remarks synthesize concerns about political misconduct, conflicts of interest, and the risks of blending private financial goals with public power. The conversation raises questions about whether personal profit motives are weakening the administration’s capacity to pursue consistent strategy and governance.
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