Don't forget, there is a long way to fall.
Originally, America was founded by old rich white men, many of whom "owned" fellow humans as slaves so that the well off could live a life of privilege. Women were not allowed the vote, or to work in responsible jobs, and the poor who didn't own property didn't get to vote.
In many states, say Virginia, there were laws mandating attendance at the local Christians sect's churches.
They aren't even trying to hide the fascist desires behind code language. Happens in most empires, wealth concentrates in fewer and fewer hands, and then the few rule over the many using violence, intimidation, and of course, fake news acting as propaganda outlets, you know, Fox.