Trump is like Hitler, Pre-War

[Pototan]

When I liken Trump to Hitler, I get pushback. "Hitler killed 6 million Jews. You diminish that with your comparison." I agree. If that's all you remember about Hitler.

There was a Hitler before WWII and before the full-blown atrocities in the holocaust. When I compare Trump to Hitler, it's about before he became Chancellor of Germany until after he become Chancellor, up to 1938. Pre-War.

Hitler tried to overthrow the government and then used his insurrection trial to advance his political career (sound familiar?). After attaining power, he used intimidation and bullying to control the legislative and judicial branch of the German Republic. (sound familiar?). He deported hundreds of thousands of "undesirables" from Germany, (sound familiar?). He rounded up dissenters and place them in detention camps (we're almost there) Hitler consolidated his power by linking himself to the industrialists of his day (sound familiar). He was fawned over by the likes of Henry Ford (the Elon Musk of his day) and Charles Lindburg (sound familiar?). Hitler was named Time's "Man of the Year" in 1938 and hosted the Olympics in 1936 (sound familiar). Hitler and the Nazis were hailed by 20,000 Americans at Madisen Square Garden as late as 1940, after the war started but before the US joined.
When I liken Trump to Hitler, think 1928 to 1938. Let's hope we don't get beyond that.

[Tree Lady]

1. My husband's father was a German who was

sent by his family as a teenager to America (in the 20's) because his father officer in German military at the time already saw how the future looked and didn't want his son to be a part of it.

I think like now, people saw it coming.

[wyn borkins]

2. Well-Prefaced :: Appreciations and Thank You (n/t)

[KT2000]

3. We must study how fascists

took power for some to take it seriously. That is where we are now.

[Pototan]

7. Are you kidding me?

J.D, Vance did it years ago.

[Pototan]

9. Look

These are your first two posts. You never heard of anyone comparing Trump to Hitler until my post?

Color me skeptical.

[Pototan]

14. Creater repealed his own law

“Trump’s opening himself up to the Hitler comparison,” Godwin said in an interview. And in his view, Trump is actively seeking to evoke the parallel.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/12/19/godwins-law-trump-hitler-00132427

This is my last response to you. I doubt your credibility.

[AntiFascist]

33. Even though they support neo-Nazis and give Hitler salutes, I agree that calling them Nazis is unproductive...

perhaps Ronald Reagan approached that level of depravity with his handling of the AIDS epidemic, but that's in the past.

Fascism, though, is a different story. Try reading Mussolini's "The Doctrine of Fascism" and see how closely it resembles the world that Trump and Project 2025 want to create.

[Yoyoyo77]

16. Godwin said a couple of years ago that when it came to Trump he would make an exception to the rule. Look it up.

[Pototan]

18. These are this guy's first posts

He refers to "the left" in one of his posts.

Don't waste your time. I don't think he's one of us.

[JoseBalow]

34. Don't feed the troll

[Meowmee]

5. Yes, my brother wrote this online during 2015 campaign and was laughed at etc.

Last edited Mon Mar 24, 2025, 03:34 AM - Edit history (1)

But he was right. I knew as soon as I saw the nazi campaign rallies on tv.

[dalton99a]

6. Kick

[Kaleva]

10. Hitler had some of his most ardent supporters murdered (sound familiar)

Hitler accepted the results of the 1932 presidential election where he lost to Hindenburg in a landslide (sound familiar)

[Pototan]

13. I don't understand your point

By making a comparison, I am pointing out the many similarities. Certainly, Hitler and Trump are not exactly the same in every aspect.

Hitler actually fought for his country in time of war. Trump falsely claimed bone spurs to avoid serving. So, there are differences, but the myriad of similarities, especially in the most important aspects of governing, are worth the look.

[ShazzieB]

20. Yes, we can.

We most certainly can keep calling Trump, Musk, et al., Nazis. For good reason.

If you don't like it, that's a "you" problem!

[ShazzieB]

23. Matter of opinion.

[ShazzieB]

26. That has nothing to do with what we post here at DU.

This site was created for Democrats to talk amongst ourselves. Others are welcome to join, but if you don't like what we talk about....

I'm going to bed.

[SunSeeker]

29. You are really misreading the polls.

The Democratic Party is losing approval of Democrats because Democrats feel Democratic office holders are not being tough enough on Trump.

I assure you, Democrats are fine with calling Trump a Nazi. Try hanging around some Democrats sometime.

[William769]

32. ...

[SunSeeker]

35. That's the Republicans who can't spell and are insane.

Dems are the middle. We actually support working people's interests.

Where do you get your news?

[Kaleva]

22. Conditions in 30's Germany were also greatly different

Conditions that facilitated the rise of Hitler.

Germany had lost a world war where millions of Germans had died.

Germany, and the rest of the world, was engulfed in a global depression.

In Germany, there was a strong far left party, the Communists, that many in Germany who were centrists and conservatives feared.

Another key different is that the Weimer Constitution had Article 48 which gave the German President the power to rule by decree. A power Hindenburg used while he was President and one Hitler used when he assumed the position upon Hindenburg's death. We don't have such an article in our Constitution.

While there are similarities, there are a number of very important differences between Hitler and Trump.

[Pototan]

25. I agree

All totalitarian dictators come to power under different circumstances.

But they all, basically, have basic commonalties: (1). Dismantle the existing government and rebuild it in the likeness of the dictatorship. (2). Find a scapegoat(s). (3). Takeover the. media. (4). Make the populace live in fear,

Trump checks all these boxes. So, did Hitler.

[Kaleva]

43. Then what other dictators is Trump similar to?

You could have said in your OP that Trump was similar to Mao or Peron or Franco or Stalin or...

[Pototan]

44. I use Hitler

because he is the default position. Everyone is familiar with him and both Hitler and Trump gained their initial position in a Democratic election. Other dictators may go over people's heads (not at DU, but in general).

[rampartd]

12. trump is a hitler class sociopath

the million covid deaths are considered a feature of trump's "greatest ever" presidency.

if 6 million is "over/under" bet for this term. and i'm betting "over."

[not fooled]

30. Many Americans will die

as a direct result of e.g. cutting Medicaid to fund tax cuts for billionaires.

The next stage in the degradation of America is getting the population used to mass death as a result of dismantling the government.

[rampartd]

38. i expect that millions will be homeless and hungry by 2028

death may come as a blessing.

if i understand artificial intelligence, we appear to be unnecessary.

[Baron2024]

27. I Agree With The OP

While there are differences there are also similarities. I agree with your comparison. This is just a new type of fascism.

[Pototan]

39. Thank you

[J_William_Ryan]

28. "When I liken Trump to Hitler, I get pushback."

Trump is a fascist, like Hitler, but Trump isn’t a Nazi.

Both Trump and Hitler are illiberal, anti-democratic authoritarians, both are racists and bigots, and both worked to destroy their respective country’s democratic institutions; Hitler succeeded, we’ve yet to see with Trump.

[Buddyzbuddy]

36. Can't you guys see, somebody here is sitting back

hoping you take the bait. What honest contributor jumps in and just starts pushing buttons. Just ignore that person's posts. All I'm reading is what sounds like "yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is"
Pototan, you have a valid point and you know you do.

[Blue Full Moon]

40. I would put Trump as Mussolini.

Elon as Hitler even down to the automobiles they co-opted. Hitler the Volkswagen and Musk the Tesla.

[Pototan]

41. I agree that Trump acts more like Mussolini

However, Mussolini never won an election. That's the similarity Trump and Hitler have.

[Morbius]

42. Trump is unlike Hitler in at least one important way.

It is objectively clear that Hitler was absolutely committed to Germany, and the success of Germany. Trump has shown zero interest in America, and in fact appears to be trying to destroy this country.

Hitler was better than Trump. Comparing Trump to Hitler is - get this - insulting Hitler.

[SocialDemocrat61]

46. Also

Hitler volunteered for the military.

[SocialDemocrat61]

45. One point of difference

is that during the 30s, both Hitler and Mussolini spent heavily on their respective country's infrastructure to increase employment and improve the economy. In the case of Hitler, he expanded and completed part of the Autobahn. Whereas Trump is firing people that work for the government.

[Wounded Bear]

47. History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme...

Quote is attributed to various authors and or spokesmen through history.

trump is following many Hitlerian tactics, as do all authoritarians when taking over.

Hitler was in his 40's when he went on his rampage withing Germany in the 1930's. Hopefully trump is old enough to die before he triggers WWIII.