We absolutely can. Imagine a US president outwardly Trump-like but who was also a True Believer instead of a cynical, mentally-ill real estate huckster. They would have the unilateral capability to start a global nuclear war. And they might actively desire to do this, on the basis of religious delusion (“it’s time for armageddon!”).

We are frighteningly close to this scenario in 2025. It’s a bad idea to assume that the gop candidate will be a fascist-wannabe in on the joke (someone like desantis or cruz). We can survive run-of-the-mill fascism, although it won’t be fun. But it could instead be someone truly existentially dangerous.