Trump's History of Nazi References: The Latest 'Unified Reich' Video Removal
Explore Donald Trump's consistent use of Nazi allusions, as seen in the recent removal of a video referencing a 'unified Reich.'
Donald Trump often makes references to Nazi Germany, which many people find concerning.
In a recent video shared on the former president's social media, a fake headline suggested that the US could become a “unified Reich” if he wins a second term in November. The video used visuals resembling World War I-era newspapers. However, the term “Reich” is also associated with Adolf Hitler's Third Reich in Nazi Germany. Trump's campaign team claimed that the video was shared by a staff member while Trump was in court. The video was eventually removed a few hours later.
Trump may not have directly posted it, but campaigns can reveal a lot about a candidate's character. Over the years, Trump has been seen using Nazi imagery and showing support for far-right extremists. He recently criticized President Joe Biden, comparing his administration to the "Gestapo." Trump has also made alarming statements about immigrants, suggesting they are "poisoning the blood" of the US, a phrase similar to language used by Hitler in "Mein Kampf," a book Trump claims he has never read. Additionally, in 2017, Trump hesitated to condemn a White supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where participants were heard chanting anti-Semitic slogans.
A video posted on Donald Trump’s social media account references a “unified Reich” under a second presidency.
A video posted on Donald Trump’s social media account references a “unified Reich” under a second presidency.
Truth Social/Donald J. Trump
According to former White House chief of staff John Kelly, Trump allegedly praised Hitler. Kelly was quoted by CNN’s Jim Sciutto in his new book “The Return of Great Powers.” Kelly mentioned that Trump said, “Well, but Hitler did some good things,” when discussing Hitler’s economic policies.
In the same book, Sciutto also mentioned Kelly stating that Trump admired Hitler’s ability to maintain loyalty from senior Nazi officers. When the book was released, Trump’s campaign spokesman Steven Cheung did not address the claims made by Kelly and former national security advisor John Bolton. Instead, Cheung accused them of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” In 2021, a Trump spokeswoman denied that the former president had praised Hitler.
Trump’s rhetoric reflects a lack of historical knowledge and a focus on himself. It is important to consider that he admires current tyrants and dictators and has pledged to seek revenge using the power of the presidency. He has pledged to carry out the largest deportation operation in history to remove undocumented migrants. By echoing Nazi language on immigration, he is following in Hitler's footsteps by demonizing outsiders who are seen as a threat to the purity of the homeland.
Trump has shown reluctance to relinquish power after losing a democratic election. He incited his supporters prior to the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Additionally, he has mentioned the possibility of serving more than the two terms allowed by the Constitution. While some of his rhetoric may be aimed at provoking his opponents and the media, there are underlying authoritarian tendencies driving his words. The fiery demagoguery of his rallies increasingly resembles the theatrics of a dictator.
Biden criticized Trump for using language similar to Hitler's, stating that it is not reflective of American values. He also warned Democratic donors in Boston that Trump's re-election would be detrimental to democracy, emphasizing the increased threat he poses in a potential second term.
It is widely accepted in politics that Nazi-related rhetoric should be avoided. Even those critical of Trump should refrain from comparing him to a Nazi dictator, as it diminishes the severity of historical atrocities. While a second term under Trump may be extreme, likening him to Nazi Germany may be a stretch. Comparisons to the authoritarian actions of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán may be more appropriate in this context.
The increasing use of Nazi references and antisemitism is concerning, especially during a time when reminders of the 1930s are prevalent. Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine are reminiscent of Hitler's expansion in Europe. Israel recently faced a significant attack on Jews, the worst since the Holocaust, in the October 7 Hamas terror attacks. Additionally, there has been a rise in antisemitism in the United States, with some pro-Palestinian protests being infiltrated by anti-Jewish hate initially sparked by anger over civilian casualties in Israel's conflict in Gaza. Certain allies of Trump within the GOP have pointed out incidents of antisemitism on college campuses to divert attention from Trump's past use of antisemitic language, such as his criticisms of American Jews who vote for Democrats and insinuations about their loyalty to both the US and Israel.
The growing use of Nazi symbolism and antisemitism indicates a troubling trend - the fading of the lessons learned from World War II and the Holocaust. As the Baby Boomers, who were raised in the shadow of their parents' experiences during the 1940s as part of the Greatest Generation, begin to age and pass on, there is a risk of a collective forgetting of the atrocities of the past.
If someone looks up to Hitler and his evil followers, they should visit the preserved death camps, gas chambers, and mass crematoria in Eastern Europe where Nazis killed millions of Jews. Those who casually spread Nazi ideas should go to the cliffs of Normandy, where Biden will be honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day next month. Here, rows of US and Allied soldiers who died fighting against fascism are buried as a reminder of the sacrifices made to defeat it.
