The world has witnessed a notable surge in political and other public figures openly embracing fascism, misogyny, xenophobia, and right-wing extremism. Once considered an effective means of committing professional suicide, such behaviour has now become increasingly common. Many attribute this shift to the fast-spreading belief that Trump has laid bare the intrinsic appeal of these ideologies among the masses, thereby emboldening more right-wing extremists and bigots to publicise their prejudices.

One such figure is the perpetually attention-seeking Australian Senator Ralph Babet. In recent posts on X, Babet has endorsed the chauvinistic and unhinged ramblings of world-famous misogynist, alleged sex trafficker, and proponent of the “Your body, my choice” movement, Andrew Tate. At the same time, he has publicised his own apparent fondness for racial and homophobic slurs, daring some of the very people he represents and is responsible for serving to “cry more” about their outrage at his gross impropriety—all from the official account he holds as a Member of the Australian Parliament.

Recognising that their client could be exposed to liability for destroying the careers of impressionable bigots around the world—particularly in tort-law-friendly jurisdictions where Trump has not appointed judges—Trump’s lawyers issued a public statement this morning. In it, they warned “fascism and bigotry enthusiasts around the world” to “refrain from re-enacting the antics of the Trump campaign.”

“The interplay between Donald Trump’s peculiar character and life experience as a celebrity, the limitations of his opponents, the affluence and power of some of his most ardent supporters in the US and Russia, and the specific cultural and historical factors relevant to Americans has created a unique political ecosystem in which the Trump approach has proved successful. It is highly doubtful that this success can be replicated in the absence of any of the aforementioned contributing factors,” the statement concluded.