“So why on earth do so many people call it fascist.
As in “Antifa are the real fascists” and similar sentiments.”
Because people in today’s America take being called a hypocrite as a much more serious insult than being called a Marxist.
They don’t take the “fascist” insult as a valid criticism.
Instead, they think those who hurl it are stupid. And they’re kind of right about that.