He may be a fascist, but there are lots in the electorate who love what he and the progressives are saying and doing; they absolutely love it.
IMHO
There are a significant number of Americans who desire socialism whether it’s in the form of fascism (which is most of them, though they detest the name) or communism. However the midterm elections of 2010 and 2014 suggest there are still a significant number of Americans who oppose big fascist programs like Obamacare. The Obama electorate was unique, it seems unlikely 2016 will see the same voters as 2012.
The Soviet Union had massive public support as did Mao’s China and initially Mussolini, Pol Pot, and the other bloody dictators of the last century. Even Baby Doc enjoyed majority support in Haiti. It wasn’t until later they needed their secret police or student mobs.
We are just turning into the phase here where increasing numbers are realizing just how much freedom they are losing and how much worse their lives have become. One proof of this is found in the increasing support for Republican candidates from working Hispanic and Asian minorities.