If you are going to make this argument (which seems more and more common because the original direct comparisons to Hitler fall flat), how does Trump match up to Hitler in the 20s and 30s?
Where is Trump's attempted coup? Where is Trump's Mein Kampf talking about living space in Eastern Europe and the greatness of Germany and his hatred of Jews? Where is Trump's paramilitary? That was all in place prior to 1930.
Hitler rose to power in a populace that wasn't just "liberal and educated" but had also been ruled by a jingoist elite since the Prussians came to power. Hitler was an ass but Wilhelm was just as bad in various ways and preceded him. The Wiemar Republic was a shaky government crushed by defeat and a broken economy. That's not America circa 2017.
What's comparable?
I don't dispute that Trump is full of hate and is self-serving and manipulative. I don't dispute he lacks tact and even a proper understanding of politics. But if you are going to pull up history, at least treat it with respect. Put it within it's context.
What scares me is if a politician did the exact thing Trump is doing but did it with more tact and with lies that were harder to point out, we'd applaud them. Play governments off of each other and play up identity politics of various kinds and lie to citizens for decades (as has been the American way) and nobody really complains, but someone comes to power who lies to your face instead of behind your back and he's Hitler? Bomb the hell out of countries and destabilize them and it is politics as usual but refuse those same countries entry and now we care?
Nothing goes exactly the same way as before. No analogy is perfect. Comparison to Hitler and Mussolini is best in their populist strategy.
Politically United States is extremely divided. Roughly 20-25 percent of Americans are very supportive to Trump. Among them are far right Christians who look up to Pence.
Trump has no need for goons on the street. Trump needs only one third of senate on his side and he can break all rules all the time with no consequences. Impeachment and Section 4 of the 25th Amendment rules both require 2/3 majority to remove the president. As long as DHS and major law enforcement organization choose WH over court decisions, Trump can enforce his rules despite constant constitutional crisis.
I think its unlikely that Trump goes this path and win, but I think that changes are hihg he might try (P=0.5) and there is real change that he may succeed for some time (P=0.2). When some terrorist attack or other crisis happens, Americans provide more support to their president than he deserves.
Where is Trump's attempted coup? Where is Trump's Mein Kampf talking about living space in Eastern Europe and the greatness of Germany and his hatred of Jews? Where is Trump's paramilitary? That was all in place prior to 1930.
Hitler rose to power in a populace that wasn't just "liberal and educated" but had also been ruled by a jingoist elite since the Prussians came to power. Hitler was an ass but Wilhelm was just as bad in various ways and preceded him. The Wiemar Republic was a shaky government crushed by defeat and a broken economy. That's not America circa 2017.
What's comparable?
I don't dispute that Trump is full of hate and is self-serving and manipulative. I don't dispute he lacks tact and even a proper understanding of politics. But if you are going to pull up history, at least treat it with respect. Put it within it's context.
What scares me is if a politician did the exact thing Trump is doing but did it with more tact and with lies that were harder to point out, we'd applaud them. Play governments off of each other and play up identity politics of various kinds and lie to citizens for decades (as has been the American way) and nobody really complains, but someone comes to power who lies to your face instead of behind your back and he's Hitler? Bomb the hell out of countries and destabilize them and it is politics as usual but refuse those same countries entry and now we care?