In 1935, Sinclair Lewis published “It Can’t Happen Here,” a fictional dictator in America. In 1949, George Orwoll published “1984>” Smug Americans discounted much of this. Authoritarian rule can’t happen in America, because Americans believe in democracy.
Events of 2015-2021 [-???] now cast doubt on this. We’ve had a Hitler wanna be; we’ve discovered millions [14%] of Right-Wing Authoritarians waiting for him, eager to listen [and be told what they want to hear] and follow him.
Germany had its “Kristallnacht by Nazi thugs. America had its Capitol trashed by Trump-encouraged thugs. Germany had its persecution of Jews and “untermenschen.” America has had persecution of non-whites. Germany put “enemies of the people” to death. Death threats are issued to Trump’s critics and opponents.
Hitler said “I’m the one who can save Germany.” Trump said”I’m the one to save America.” Hitler acquired all powers, became dictator. Trump wanted, tried, to rule as dictator. Germans were expected to be loyal to Hitler. Trump demands loyalty. Hitler cult followers willingly persecuted Jews. Trump cult followers follow orders.
Nazis had much “coded” language [“Final Solution”]. Trump’s “coded” language included “law and order” and “religious liberty.” Hitler was vindictive to opponents; delighted in watching filmed torture of them. Trump has often spoken about delighting in “getting even;” delights in hurting people.
Hitler had many Nazi Party enablers; many who eagerly carried out his orders. Trump has benefitted from various enablers his entire life; many Republicans eagerly carried out his orders. Germany saw street battles between Hitler’s thugs and their opponents. America has witnessed street battles between Trump followers and opponents.
Hitler was financed by “conservative” businessmen who feared communism. Trump has been supported by “conservatives” who fear “socialism” [meaning they’ll have to pay reasonable taxes, treat workers with respect, follow American laws]. Connected Germans got rich. Connected Americans got rich [including reverse Robin Hood tax cuts].
Hitler specialized in telling the “BIG lie;” telling it often. Trump specializes in telling the “BIG lie;” telling it often [between 20-25,000 by one count}. German “true believers” got their “information’ from Dr. Joseph Goebbels. American “true believers” get their “information” from Fox echo chamber and Rush Limbaugh.
Germans lived in an atmosphere of fear and terror; had to be careful what they said to whom. Trump has stoked an atmosphere of fear [of “them”]; Americans have to be careful who they talk to honestly.
Hitler’s “economic miracle” was the militarization of Germany. America has been militarized domestically – one could be shot at any time, any where; this “right” is so important to Trump’s base that gun stores – in the midst of a pandemic – were declared as “essential businesses.”
Germany had two sets of “justice,” one for Aryans and one for Jews. America has exhibited two sets of “justice,” one for whites and one for non-whites. Germany had the “justice” of the infamously rigged Nazi kangaroo courts. America has the “justice” of the Republican-appointee dominated Supreme Court.
The Nazis had the support of fundamentalist churches. Republicans have the support of fundamentalist churches. The Nazis opposed abortion, persecuted gays. The Republicans oppose abortion, persecute gays.
There were numerous heroic attempts by Germans to oust Hitler. There has been multiple incidents of Americans trying to restrain Trump – in official testimony, in private actions by members of his administration.
The rest of the world was horrified by Nazi Germany; eventually united against it. The rest of the civilized world has been horrified by Trump; American has become isolated {before January 6, 2021 – America, and Trump, polled lower than Putin!]
Hitler led Germany to ruin. Trump has led America to disunity and danger. Hitler denied defeat. Trump denied defeat. Hitler committed physical suicide. Trump committed political suicide.
Coincidence??? Vanity Fair [1990] reported his first wife told her lawyer that Trump had a collection of Hitler’s speeches which he periodically read.
Is Donald J. Trump the exact clone of Adolf Hitler? No. The American system restrained his ignorant and incompetent, corrupt and cruel behavior. There’s no doubt Trump’s example will be a staple of future analysis and discussion. We’ve had bad presidents before; even good men who failed. But – Donald Trump – is important for what he revealed about us. He held a mirror to America – and we don’t like what we see.
As John Dean and Bob Altemeyer say in “Authoritarian Nightmare [2020], the real danger is that of a future “Trump.” A smarter Trump might not shoot himself in the foot.Steven Hassan in “The Cult of Trump” [2019] explained and detailed how Trump used mind control techniques to influence behavior.
In 1787 Philadelphia, Ben Franklin gave this famous answer to a question on what the recently concluded Constitutional Convention had created: “A republic, if you can keep it.” “..if you can keep it.” sounds much more urgent in the wake of 2015-2021.
The Founders had four main fears” abuse of power, slavery, religion, and mobs. 2015-2021 have now dramatized these fears way too much. The anti-George Washington managed to become president – and then unleashed the other 3 fears.
One final, oft remarked upon point – in 1933, Germany elected Adolf Hitler. In 1933, America elected Franklin D. Roosevelt. Character counts. Wanting democracy to succeed counts. Emphasizing hope over fear counts. Policies to help the common man succeed count. Love over hatred counts.
With Justice For All 