Hitler And Trump Is A Legitimate Comparison Regardless of Godwin
Godwin’s Law states that the longer an Internet discussion continues, the probability of a comparison to Hitler grows. The consequence of Godwin’s Law of Nazi Analogies is that, the second the comparison is made, the argument is deemed to have been lost.
We make these comparisons because there is so much material available upon which to draw. Unlike the regimes of Stalin, Pol Pot or Mao Tse-tung, the Nazis left behind troves of documentary evidence and, to this day, we constantly discover new proof of the depravity and strangeness of their time in power. With this in mind, here are some things to strongly consider about the Trump regime thus far in comparison to that of Hitler’s:
Comparing Hitler To Trump
Hitler didn’t start off with concentration camps. He started off by discrediting the media. Who’s discrediting the media now? President Trump.
His next step was to silence scientists and government employees. Who is silencing scientists and government employees? President Trump.
Hate crimes against minorities grew to the highest in their country’s history. Clashes between parties became so extensive that Hitler ended civil liberties, giving “law and order” as the cause. Those who opposed Hitler were ridiculed and threatened. Are we seeing hate crimes grow under President Trump? Are we seeing clashes between parties under President Trump? Are we seeing the end of civil liberties in the name of law and order under President Trump? You tell me.
What’s Next?
These are the next steps under Hitler that have not happened yet under President Trump. Wealthy supporters purchased media outlets, employing only those faithful to the ruling party. We have only seen part of this under President Trump, with his employing of Leninist Steve Bannon, and of course the undying patronage of campaign supporter Rupert Murdoch and Murdoch’s Fox News.
In his final step, Hitler declared that the only way the country could be unified was to restore traditional values. Minorities including gays, the disabled, Jews, Roma and people of color were considered “inferior” and sent to death camps for slaughter. While Trump has indicated he wants to restore those traditional values by making America Great Again, he hasn’t sent anyone off to camps yet.
This is how “regular” German citizens ended up supporting Hitler and the parallels are too great between those people and Trump supporters. Trump once declared his support was so great that he could shoot someone walking down 5th Avenue and not lose any supporters. I hope he’s wrong and people who support him will fight back against what’s happening. If they don’t, they are no different than regular Germans during Hitler’s ascension.
