Trumpwatch
The former president fits the fascist mold
Comparing immigrants to the blood-thirsty movie villain Hannibal Lecter, Donald Trump has declared that they will “poison the blood” of the American people. He says that as president of the United States, he would use a massive force, including members of the military, to arrest millions of these undocumented residents — most of whom peacefully contribute to our society — hold them in sprawling camps, and force them out of the country. Among those ejected would be tens of thousands of Afghans granted asylum when the Taliban seized control of their country.
For years Trump has spread the false claims that undocumented immigrants commit more crimes than others and that foreign governments are emptying jails and mental hospitals and sending those released to the United States. Neither claim is true, nevertheless, he has made the undocumented scapegoats for his followers to fear and loathe, creating the kind of “enemy within” presented by authoritarian leaders who then pose as saviors. His plan to arrest millions, corral them in camps, and force them out would have disastrous effects on the labor markets (these workers are essential to the food supply) and end America’s status as a world haven for both the oppressed and the poor.
Trump double-downed on his effort to create “others” for his followers to hate when, in an echo of Nazi Germany, he described his opponents as “vermin” whom he would “root out.” (I know, in today’s politics, tying someone to the Nazis is considered out-of-bounds. But in Trump’s case, we have a singular, power-mad cult leader who fits the description so fully it must be said.)
As he creates categories of scapegoats, Trump checks one of the fourteen hallmarks of fascism identified by philosopher Umberto Ecco, who lived through dictator Benito Mussolini’s reign. It is number five on Ecco’s list: “Fear of difference” which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate, often in the form of racism or an appeal against foreigners or immigrants.
“Trump double-downed on his effort to create “others” for his followers to hate when, in an echo of Nazi Germany, he described his opponents as “vermin” whom he would “root out.” (I know, in today’s politics, tying someone to the Nazis is considered out-of-bounds. But in Trump’s case, we have a singular, power-mad cult leader who fits the description so fully it must be said.).”--Adam K
Disgusting on its face. And Nazi Germany isn’t the most recent case. Russia is calling Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, and his government Nazi’s, while the Wagner Group, which originated as a Nazi organization and private military contractor, invades the country.
Rwanda, back in the 90’s experienced a genocide in which the Hutu’s called Tutsi’s cockroaches which is a type of vermin.
This is the authoritarian, kakistocracy playbook. Reduce humans to nothing more than rabid animals and pond scum, and you can justify any treatment of a group of humans you don’t like, or utterly despise.
The truly scary part is that so many poorly informed people believe this type of rhetoric. They have the need to feel better than others and immigrants are an easy target. Of course they overlook the fact that they, themselves are the products of earlier immigration waves. The road to authoritarian government is paved with hate speech and disinformation.