The Alarming Parallels Between the Maga Takeover and Nazi Takeover
The recent comparison between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler has sparked widespread discussion. The comparison between the Maga takeover and the Nazi takeover of the German right is certainly eerie, with numerous parallels that cannot go unnoticed. Both historical movements began with national humiliations and economic crises, leading to the rise of strongmen who targeted specific groups while embracing violence and legal means to consolidate power. There are many other disturbing similarities worth exploring.
National Humiliations and Economic Crises
Germany's national humiliation after losing World War I and the economic crisis during the Great Depression are compared to the U.S.'s national humiliation after losing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and undergoing neoliberal economic policies that have significantly impacted the middle class. Both Hitler and Trump capitalized on these crises to promise greatness, with Hitler's slogan "make Germany great again" paralleling Trump's "make America great again" promise.
Scapegoating and Embracing Hate
Both leaders found scapegoats for their countries' problems, with Hitler blaming Jews and migrants for "poisoning Aryan blood" while Trump targeted blacks, Muslims, immigrants, and liberals. The embrace of hate and the encouragement of hate-filled rhetoric within the Republican Party is a disconcerting parallel.
Exploitation of Religion and Alliances with Autocrats
Hitler and Trump both exploited religion and religious believers to gain support for their agendas. They also made alliances with other autocrats, with Hitler aligning with Mussolini and Franco and Trump allying with MBS, Putin, and Kim.
Seizure of Power and Violent Incidents
Both leaders attempted violent coups to overthrow their governments and later sought to use legal means to consolidate power. Hitler's burning of the Reichstag and Trump's claims of election fraud that led to the January 6th insurrection are chillingly similar incidents that became touchstones for their rise to power.
Erosion of Civil Rights and Ominous Plans
The erosion of civil rights and the targeting of specific communities for discrimination are notable parallels between the two regimes. Hitler's targeting of the queer community and book burnings find disturbing similarities in the Trump administration's opposition to the equality act and policies affecting LGBTQ+ individuals.
Media Manipulation and Power Grabs
Both leaders heavily relied on media manipulation and harnessed the support of influential media moguls to propagate their messages. Hitler's use of the Enabling Act to write laws bypassing Parliament is akin to Trump's promises to use unitary executive powers to bypass congressional oversight.
Death Camps and Disregard for Mass Deaths
While Trump has not publicly proposed the creation of death camps, his reported plans to build detention camps for immigrants and enemies, along with his administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, raise concerns about mass deaths and disregard for human life similar to Hitler's actions.
The alarming parallels between the Maga takeover of the GOP and the Nazi takeover of the German right demand attention and reflection on the dangers of authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic values. The historical comparison serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of embracing hate, scapegoating, and the erosion of civil rights, and it underscores the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and human rights.