I used to recoil at these kinds of statements until I saw what the Trump administration was doing.

It's not an exaggeration. Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, Richard Spencer, all these people in Trump's inner circle are self-described "alt-right," "white nationalist," or some other euphemism for ethno-fascist.

Racism and fascism in the US are very real, serious problems, and have become synonymous with the Republican party.

edit, here is a link or two:

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/05/stephen-miller-duke-...

https://www.npr.org/2019/11/26/783047584/leaked-emails-fuel-...