I think its even broader than that. More like it's just "when people get offended at something I say". Doesn't need to involve a government, or even any consequences; just expressing that you think they're wrong is enough to label you a fascist.

it occurs to me that maybe they think this way because so many of their attempts to defend their ideology end with people calling them a fascist and disengaging so they just assume it's some kind of political debate trump card