I'm starting to think the reason it became the fascist playbook is because the psychological profile

of the charismatic leader (malignant narcissist) means that they will always behave in an authoritarian manner, insisting that they are always right and demanding 100% loyalty paired with extreme vindictiveness for those who are not loyal. Certainly with Trump it's instinctive, not a deliberative strategy. The deliberation comes from the toadies and enablers who do study the playbooks and do whatever they can to keep Dear Leader happy.

Exactly! I tried to make the same point in a comment a couple days ago,

but this person says it much better.

Sleazy come, sleazy go.