He’s telling us what he will do to his political enemies if he’s president again. Is anyone listening?
It’s Official: With “Vermin,” Trump Is Now Using Straight-up Nazi Talk
He’s telling us what he will do to his political enemies if he’s president again. Is anyone listening?
I feel pretty safe in saying that we can now stop giving him the benefit of that particular doubt. His use—twice; once on social media, and then repeated in a speech—of the word “vermin” to describe his political enemies cannot be an accident. That’s an unusual word choice. It’s not a smear that one just grabs out of the air. And it appears in history chiefly in one context, and one context only.
Anyone who says he wasn't is willfully ignorant so they don't have to admit they support facism, or unironically ignorant and falling victim to what facism does best: take advantage of the uneducated
Slightly. Trump seems to be ramping up the rhetoric. He's getting more and more comfortable emulating Nazi speech. And each step along the way, the media normalizes it by reporting "oh, that wacky Trump said something crazy again!"
At this rate, he'll be posting in September 2024 about a final solution to rid this country of his political enemies and all Jews and the NYT will report "Trump Puts Forward Plan To Unite Washington."
And that was an actual term before he co-opted it. It would refer to the random blogs that claimed to be news sites that would post laughably false articles with doctored photos and completely made up quotes.
There was stuff with Hillary saying things that she literally never said, but it was "reporting" that she said it. The minor right wing sites would then cite these articles and the major right wing organizations would quote them. It would be proven false (easily) but by then they had moved onto the latest thing Hillary "did" (according to these sites).
Trump took this very useful term and twisted it into "anything I don't like is fake."
Thank you, it drives me batty that it's become so hard to discuss the problems of actual fake news, much of which benefits Trump and needs to be called out, without people thinking we're MAGA conspiracy loons.
But also, I kind of chuckled, because your use of past tense made it sound like those things don't happen anymore, rather than being the cornerstone of right wing media today.
Thank you, it drives me batty that it's become so hard to discuss the problems of actual fake news, much of which benefits Trump and needs to be called out, without people thinking we're MAGA conspiracy loons.
But also, I kind of chuckled, because your use of past tense made it sound like those things don't happen anymore, rather than being the cornerstone of right wing media today.
Thank you, it drives me batty that it's become so hard to discuss the problems of actual fake news, much of which benefits Trump and needs to be called out, without people thinking we're MAGA conspiracy loons.
But also, I kind of chuckled, because your use of past tense made it sound like those things don't happen anymore, rather than being the cornerstone of right wing media today.
I'm sure Trump's spokesman will walk back the Nazi talk.... :
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said of anyone who compares Trump to Hitler or Mussolini that, "their entire existence will be crushed when President Trump returns to the White House"
Anyone still unclear to the concept? This is his play book, his manual. Nothing else. If you don't recognize it, shame on you and your history teacher.
In 1923, Hitler and his supporters attempted a coup in Bavaria. This seminal event was later called the Beer Hall Putsch. Upon its failure, Hitler escaped, only to be subsequently arrested and put on trial. The trial proved to be a blessing in disguise for Hitler, as it garnered him national fame. Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison, but he would only serve eight months. During this time, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, which became the vade mecum of National Socialism. Once released, Hitler switched tactics, opting to instead seize power through legal and democratic means.
He’s too old for all that, but good news everybody! Trump isn’t the real threat anyhow – he’s the carnival barker. The real threat is the organised group of fascists who have been working hard on all the plans and slogans he claims as his. People like Steven Miller, Bannon, Stone, and some members of Congress.
They’re younger, smarter, and more determined than trump to replace democracy with their authoritarian utopia. They’ll find another front man when trump is gone.
He also said upon reelection that he'd oust government officials not loyal to him and immediately begin deporting mass waves of people, including those living in the US legally.
Trump doesn't care about government employees defending the constitution, he wants government employees loyal to HIM. If Trump had enough people like this last time the United States democracy would be over.
Stop voting for Republicans. They are un-American and don't believe in our democracy.
That's exactly it, and this is also why the media CONSTANTLY "discovering" that Trump is a Nazi is just signal boosting his campaign content.
Maybe in another eight years they will move on from "dae notice that Trump is a racist fascist Nazi?" And instead start saying "don't vote for racist fascist Nazis, do this instead."
the media are a bunch of pussies hedging their bets with the audience, also willing to skew anything to cause controversy as long as it doesn't come back to bite them. Sensationalism sells.
You're possibly correct, though my understanding is journalism gets enough freedom for it to be OK, but that potentially has to be resolved in court which takes money. They'd rather not be totally honest than lose a little profit.
As described in The Newsroom, a great show I personally love, the media is “biased toward fairness.”
This is most likely due to the need to be as profitable as possible, although now that business model is changing in the Trump/Fox/MSNBC-Hyper-Partisan era and we are seeing more catered viewpoints. But the “bias toward fairness” is what has helped shift the Overton window so far to the right. They ignore basic factual truth to appear “fair,” taking this floating viewpoint that insists on looking at everything through the amorphous, yet binary, political lens.
The example used in the show was about flat earthers (this was, actually, a time when that was an absolutely absurd example): “if half of the Republican caucus walked onto the house floor tomorrow and said ‘the earth is flat,’ The Times would lead with ‘Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on shape of earth.’”
It’s one of the many, many, many, many issues with modern society that stack up to give us the overarching problem…of everything going on today. I dunno, maybe this is just me, but any time I think about any nuanced, hyper-specific issue like this, with such far-reaching consequences, our problems seem insurmountable. Because this issue is connected to larger issues and much smaller issues and THE largest issue and the consequences are devastating…it just seems like modern society has become so stacked and complicated that you can’t unravel one problem without digging up and figuring out a million others. And we’re running out of time. But even saying THAT is a multifaceted conversation…it’s all so exhausting.
People have been talking about the unindicted traitor since J6 and the media pretends Nazis hushing up means no one is talking about it. Anyone still pretending he's a legitimate candidate for office has their head up their ass.
He was elected once and I hate to say it but there's still a chance he'll be elected again. He isn't legitimate in the sense that he has no sense of decorum or history or human decency but he could be elected.
"Not convicted" is actually not a requirement. Being a natural born US citizen and at least 35 of age are the only ones, although specific convictions could bar him from holding specific offices.
If all of his lawsuits remain undecided until the elections there is nothing stopping him (and presumably finding a way to pardon himself ex post facto somehow).
On the other end of the "things I support" spectrum, Eugene Debs kept running as a socialist for president even after he was put in jail (for a speech against the war)
E. V. Debs' Statement to the Court, Upon Being Convicted of Violating the Sedition Act, September 18, 1918:
"Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.
I listened to all that was said in this court in support and justification of this prosecution, but my mind remains unchanged. I look upon the Espionage Law as a despotic enactment in flagrant conflict with democratic principles and with the spirit of free institutions…
Your Honor, I have stated in this court that I am opposed to the social system in which we live; that I believe in a fundamental change—but if possible by peaceable and orderly means…
Standing here this morning, I recall my boyhood. At fourteen I went to work in a railroad shop; at sixteen I was firing a freight engine on a railroad. I remember all the hardships and privations of that earlier day, and from that time until now my heart has been with the working class. I could have been in Congress long ago. I have preferred to go to prison…
I am thinking this morning of the men in the mills and the factories; of the men in the mines and on the railroads. I am thinking of the women who for a paltry wage are compelled to work out their barren lives; of the little children who in this system are robbed of their childhood and in their tender years are seized in the remorseless grasp of Mammon and forced into the industrial dungeons, there to feed the monster machines while they themselves are being starved and stunted, body and soul. I see them dwarfed and diseased and their little lives broken and blasted because in this high noon of Christian civilization money is still so much more important than the flesh and blood of childhood. In very truth gold is god today and rules with pitiless sway in the affairs of men.
In this country—the most favored beneath the bending skies—we have vast areas of the richest and most fertile soil, material resources in inexhaustible abundance, the most marvelous productive machinery on earth, and millions of eager workers ready to apply their labor to that machinery to produce in abundance for every man, woman, and child—and if there are still vast numbers of our people who are the victims of poverty and whose lives are an unceasing struggle all the way from youth to old age, until at last death comes to their rescue and lulls these hapless victims to dreamless sleep, it is not the fault of the Almighty: it cannot be charged to nature, but it is due entirely to the outgrown social system in which we live that ought to be abolished not only in the interest of the toiling masses but in the higher interest of all humanity…
I believe, Your Honor, in common with all Socialists, that this nation ought to own and control its own industries. I believe, as all Socialists do, that all things that are jointly needed and used ought to be jointly owned—that industry, the basis of our social life, instead of being the private property of a few and operated for their enrichment, ought to be the common property of all, democratically administered in the interest of all…
I am opposing a social order in which it is possible for one man who does absolutely nothing that is useful to amass a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars, while millions of men and women who work all the days of their lives secure barely enough for a wretched existence.
This order of things cannot always endure. I have registered my protest against it. I recognize the feebleness of my effort, but, fortunately, I am not alone. There are multiplied thousands of others who, like myself, have come to realize that before we may truly enjoy the blessings of civilized life, we must reorganize society upon a mutual and cooperative basis; and to this end we have organized a great economic and political movement that spreads over the face of all the earth.
There are today upwards of sixty millions of Socialists, loyal, devoted adherents to this cause, regardless of nationality, race, creed, color, or sex. They are all making common cause. They are spreading with tireless energy the propaganda of the new social order. They are waiting, watching, and working hopefully through all the hours of the day and the night. They are still in a minority. But they have learned how to be patient and to bide their time. The feel—they know, indeed—that the time is coming, in spite of all opposition, all persecution, when this emancipating gospel will spread among all the peoples, and when this minority will become the triumphant majority and, sweeping into power, inaugurate the greatest social and economic change in history.
In that day we shall have the universal commonwealth—the harmonious cooperation of every nation with every other nation on earth…
Your Honor, I ask no mercy and I plead for no immunity. I realize that finally the right must prevail. I never so clearly comprehended as now the great struggle between the powers of greed and exploitation on the one hand and upon the other the rising hosts of industrial freedom and social justice.
I can see the dawn of the better day for humanity. The people are awakening. In due time they will and must come to their own.
When the mariner, sailing over tropic seas, looks for relief from his weary watch, he turns his eyes toward the southern cross, burning luridly above the tempest-vexed ocean. As the midnight approaches, the southern cross begins to bend, the whirling worlds change their places, and with starry finger-points the Almighty marks the passage of time upon the dial of the universe, and though no bell may beat the glad tidings, the lookout knows that the midnight is passing and that relief and rest are close at hand. Let the people everywhere take heart of hope, for the cross is bending, the midnight is passing, and joy cometh with the morning."
you said it yourself. He's FACING criminal charges. He hasn't been convicted of anything. Remember in America you're innocent until PROVEN guilty. You've made up your mind about him, but the law hasn't, yet...
The dominoes have been getting set up since the 70s. Just because it looks fast once they start getting knocked over doesn't mean there hasn't been extensive prep in getting there.
I mean we do have the internet now so it makes sense things are at least a smidgen faster
Maybe if you account for that variable the Nazis had approximately the same timeline?
You aren't even being sarcastic, and you're using that stupid shit at the end of your comment? God I hate it. If there's anything I would like eliminated from the face of the earth, it's '/s'.
One thing to keep in mind is to think about what kind of person actually participates in polls, and how that type of person will tend to lean politically (hint, old retired people)
That being said, fascism has happened continuously all throughout history for a reason. people like it when they think it's on "their side". A lot of conservative voters genuinely think America would be a better place if the democratic party was forcibly eliminated, and so they're not only fine with what Trump is saying, they're enthusiastic about it.
Combine the human tendency for populism with decades of conditioning from outlets like Fox News that conservatives are the only "real Americans" and that the "radical left" is hell bent on destroying their lives, raping babies, and turning their sons into daughters, and you have a large population of voters who genuinely think that democracy is bad if it means "the other side" gets to win.
Many Fascist movements start out with enthusiastic support from at least a large chunk of their population (Hitler was elected), by the time people realize that fascism only ever actually benefits those at the top, it's too late
Don't take polls at face value. The polls said Hillary Clinton was crushing Trump right up until October of that same year and as we know Trump voters turned out and Dems stayed home because they thought it was a free win.
AFAIK the only polls that show Trump ahead right now are landline-only polls, and most younger voters who trend more progressive do not have a landline service so they are naturally excluded from the results. Regardless, even if future polls say that Trump is crushing Biden, show up and vote anyway.
Mostly because the left does nothing but exaggerate reasons to hate the democrats and make grand statements about how they're only going to vote for someone with exactly their opinion on everything (current opinions with the benefit of hindsight applied to their historical opinions of course)
I'd say they are probably not going to vote for anyone based on opinion, because things like human rights and healthcare access are not matters of opinion. People themselves don't want to die from lack of healthcare access or atrocities. But you have people who say it's ok if we make it so that OTHER people die from lack of healthcare and atrocities, as long as they don't. Those people are the Republicans.
But the genocidal president promised us a better economy or something! What's a little cultural oppression if it means cheaper eggs at the grocery store?
More like the one protecting the entire western world from Islamic jihad expanding more.
There's a reason the leadership of the civilized world has lined up against the Palestinians here. This is a zero sum game BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION, with Israel being the first target. They even say Jordan is next. It's wild people are supporting them but not believing them.
They just let him watch Jojo Rabbit, he enjoys it because he relates to the main character. He's only seen the first 15mins because his attention span isn't that long.
This sounds much too coherent for it to be something he wrote himself. That doesn't make it better. It probably makes it worse. He's still spouting Nazi slurs and may not even be aware of it because he has no awareness of history.
I think it's coming regardless. The losing party of the next presidential election will probably be the one to rise up, regardless of which party it is. Honestly, if Trump wins, I can see the left revolting, and if Trump loses, I can see the hard right revolting. I think it's a lose/lose situation.
This really feels like false equivalency. Yes, the MAGA crowd has a delusional belief that they are an overwhelming majority, and that electoral losses must mean a rigged election. They are ready to try to take power by force, they've demonstrated that, and there are high up instigators pushing them that way. But "the left" isn't really Democrats, and either way, I don't see any likelihood of a revolution from Leftists or Democrats just in response to an election. Mass protests, yes, but not revolution. Now, if the next election after that is suspended, then we might be close.
Think of every no nonsense, tough American you've met. If you've been to jail, the military, hard labor sites, kitchens, factories, barrios, hoods and warzones you know exactly who I'm talking about.
A pussy who has never seen a real ordeal in his entire life just called a majority of them "vermin" for internet points with mongoloids, and thinks it's a great idea to begin threatening them with the idea of "being crushed" by him and his "power," the likes of which places him among luminaries like Scott Baio and Kid Rock.
I can't wait for the world to see what finally happens to him, what we're gonna do to him--one way or another--it will be wild for them to watch 🤣, our proudest days are ahead of us!
Wait, people in the military and jail have never seen a real ordeal? I'd argue just by existing in jail and making it in the military you see a bit of it.
He's not gonna do shit. He didn't do shit last time he was elected, and he won't do shit if he's elected again. I fucking hate election cycle headlines.
I'm no fan of Trump, but "vermin" really is an out of pocket insult. I've also got no idea how insulting someone is Nazi behavior. Y'all just want a bad look for your opposition.
It's not the specific word, but the entire context. Here's the Truth Social post:
"In honor of our great Veterans on Veteran’s Day, we pledge to you that we will root out the Communists, Marxists, Fascists, and Radical Left Thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, lie, steal, and cheat on Elections, and will do anything possible, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America, and the American dream."
This is exactly the same comparison Hitler made to his own political enemies. It's not like it's a particularly common word these days, either, so it's hard to see how it'd enter his limited vocabulary by other means.
I stopped clicking on articles about things Trump says... Am reminded why. The full quote is always an order of magnitude worse than what you'd assume from the headline. Literally impossible to exaggerate the toxic spittle that comes out of this man's mouth.
Other Israeli political, military and religious leaders have at different times described Palestinians as “a cancer”, “vermin”, and called for them to be “annihilated”.
It's just a word, has nothing to do with being openly a Nazi. It's a strongly insulting word, Trump likes to insult people, eventually he's going to get around to some insults Nazis used. Nothing to do with being inspired by them.
Like Trump wouldn't turn the genocide up to eleven, we're pretty fucked either way. Democrats at least pretend to want to outsource genocide, right-wingers in the US would openly support it domestically as well.
What's his alternative? Not much choice when it's a mess your country made and not supporting your spoilt brat would get you strung up in the town square.
One is saying that somebody is to be deplored and the other is saying that somebody belongs to a category of animals that are usually to be exterminated where found. Can you see the difference?
They're both off hand insults about their opponents' supporters. I think you'd agree with me when I say NOTHING Trump has ever said has any deeper meaning. He's an idiot just saying what pops into his head.