Reporter: Are you affirming that you think the president is a fascist?

[Bluetus]

9. Trump did seem to crack a joke, even if by accident

Mamdani decided to let it go at that, because he had already won the day, bigly. It was probably wise of him to let the press conference conclude with Trump fawning over the very strong new Mayor-elect.

But I do think all Dems should adopt the kind of response I drafted above. It is probably not productive to call Trump a fascist because that means all his supporters are also fascists. They are, but it isn't productive to attack that head on.

It is also not acceptable to NOT address the growing fascist. I suggest my prose -- or something like that -- is a good way for every Dem politician to speak to this issue -- educating the public and the media, while simultaneously putting the fascists on notice that we see them and aren't going to yield an inch.

And above all, OWN the term Anti-Fascist. Don't run from it. Anti-fascism is a good thing, the cause of a lifetime.