Vance on Trump: "America’s Hitler", Chief of US Military: "The most dangerous person ever" - Trump, Vance and Musk on the Verge of Modern Fascism

Click to watch the trailer of The Order (2024) by Justin Kurzel

PHILADELPHIA - Nobody dared to name it, but it has become undeniable: MAGA Republican rhetoric is resorting to fascism and authoritarian nationalism, as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and J.D. Vance are speaking out in ways the Western world did not believe possible anymore. We are witnessing alarming parallels with the early 20th-century fascist movements that led to dictatorship and devastation by Mussolini and Hitler. These political figures shape a narrative that rejects democratic principles, glorifies violence as a means of national rejuvenation, and positions an “Other” — be it immigrants, minorities, or political adversaries — as the enemy of the state within.

Fascism, in its essence, embraces the idea that violence and war are necessary means for a nation's rebirth. In speeches from Trump’s rallies, the former president repeatedly advocated for "law and order" against immigrants and Black Lives Matter protesters, echoing early Nazi propaganda that painted communists, Jews, LGBTQ communities, and other minorities as existential threats to their notion of a unified nation. Trump’s infamous rhetoric — "take back" America — bears resemblance to Hitler’s early speeches, which focused on Germany’s "rebirth" and the need to secure "Lebensraum" (living space) for the German people through violent means.

Trump’s rallies recall Joseph Goebbels’ 1943 speech at the Berliner Sportpalast, inciting acceptance and celebration of violence and going to war as part of the "total war" concept. Rhetoric and propaganda were used to shape public opinion, heighten nationalist sentiment, and demand extreme sacrifices as a form of patriotic duty. By framing violence as necessary for survival, these political figures channel collective hostility and incite a desire for uncompromising action.

The former president’s refusal to accept democratic election results and his ongoing rhetoric about a rigged system echo Hitler’s and Mussolini’s rejection of democratic institutions in favor of dictatorial control. Just as early Nazi propaganda depicted democracy as weak and ineffective, Trump’s language about a "deep state" and a "corrupt elite" erodes public trust in governmental institutions and paves the way for authoritarianism. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, recently warned of the ex-president's intent, saying, “When Donald Trump says something, stop sane-washing it. Stop trying to make it into something which has some normalcy to it. What he says, he intends to do.” He went further, highlighting Trump’s willingness to use military force, specifically mentioning SEAL Team Six, to “round up” critics or political opponents. Cohen emphasized that Trump is serious, drawing on his firsthand experience to issue a stark warning.

Elon Musk’s public alignment with Trump at a Pennsylvania rally has similarly aggravated the political discourse by lending his platform and influence. Musk’s dismissal of concerns about disinformation on his platform X (formerly Twitter), has allowed hate speech and fascist rhetoric to proliferate, amplifying dangerous narratives that seek to divide and dehumanize minorities. His alignment with Trump and Vance suggests not only a shared vision for technological dominance but also a disturbing comfort with authoritarian ideals.

J.D. Vance's rhetoric in Ohio, where he decries the so-called "woke" culture, reiterates the fascist tendency to insult and belittle intellectuals, artists, and progressive thinkers as enemies of the state. Trump called for the deportation of 15-20 million people in the U.S., Vance mentioned even 25 million. Vance's attacks on immigrants and progressive policies further a narrative of fear and exclusion, characteristic of fascist regimes that sought to consolidate power by excluding minorities and dissidents. In February 2016, Vance sent a message to his former law school roommate, Josh McLaurin, stating that he went “back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler.”

General Mark Milley, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that Donald Trump "is a wannabe dictator" and that his rhetoric shows clear fascist tendencies. Milley warned that Trump’s behavior undermines democratic institutions, noting that "this is the kind of thing that leads to a breakdown in democracy and the rise of fascism." A "true fascist" and "the most dangerous person for America".

As MAGA rhetoric grows bolder and more dangerous, it is increasingly clear that figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and J.D. Vance are pushing the U.S. closer to the verge of modern fascism. The echoes of history are unmistakable, and the parallels to the authoritarian movements of the 1920s and 1930s reveal themselves. With the growing extremism of MAGA rhetoric, it’s crucial to recognize these historical similarities and the dangers they pose to the future of democracy. The threat has never been more apparent.

As Trailer of the Week, we recommend the film, The Order (2024), by Justin Kurzel. The film revolves around an FBI agent who goes after a white supremacist group known as The Order that was active in the United States in the 1980s, featuring Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult. The events of The Order are an inspiration for the UNA bomber and Trump's white supremacy supporters until today. In addition, we recommend Joe Wright’s, The Darkest Hour, current TV series M. Son of the Century (2024), which traces the birth of fascism in Italy and Mussolini's ascent with an innovative approach that has sparked debate about the fascist dictator's legacy in Italy and abroad.

Click to watch the trailer of M. Son of the Century (2024) by Joe Wright