The comparison is scary, but understandable, the effect similar. A population manipulated, a population accepting misinformation and falsehoods … because that is what it wants to believe while it has a need to blame something, someone else.
Rhetorical Style: Both figures are noted for their use of simple, repetitive slogans (“Make America Great Again,” “ One people, one empire, one leader“) which were designed to be easily understood and remembered. They also both utilized grand rallies as a central part of their political strategy, using them to create a sense of community and to project strength and energy.
Scapegoating: Both leaders have been described as using rhetoric that identifies a specific “out-group” to blame for the nation’s problems.
Claims of being an “outsider”: Both positioned themselves as outsiders who alone could fix a corrupt and broken system. They both appealed to a sense of national grievance and a desire for a return to a perceived former greatness.
Media Mastery: Both understood and effectively utilized the dominant media of their time to circumvent traditional gatekeepers and communicate directly with their base. One used radio and film, while the other made extensive use of social media and cable news to maintain a constant presence in the public consciousness.
Will to Power: Both men have been described as having an intense will to power and a desire to dominate, which critics argue is incompatible with respect for the views and rights of others.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Give me a break. Five years into Hitler, from a 1938 NY Times article:
,
Jan. 30, 1933—Hitler made Chancellor with a coalition Cabinet which limited his power.
March 5, 1933-National election which gave the Nazi party complete control of the Reichstag.
March 5, 1933—Enabling act passed by which absolute power was conferred on Chancellor Hitler and his Cabinet.
Oct. 21, 1933-Germany resigns from the League of Nations.
June 30, 1934-The Nazi “purge” with the admitted execution of 77 army and political figures; about 3,000 others imprisoned for a time.
Aug. 19, 1934-Plebiscite which approved Hitler’s withdrawal of Germany from the League.
March 1, 1935-Creation of an air force admitted; uniformed officers appear.
March 16, 1935-Hitler announces introduction of compulsory military training in violation of the Versailles treaty.
May 31, 1935-Army Law provides one year of training for all able-bodied Germans.
June 18, 1935-Naval treaty with Great Britain announced.
Aug. 2, 1935—Death of President Paul von Hindenburg.
March 7, 1936-German troops occupy the Rhineland in violation of the Versailles treaty.
March 29, 1936-Plebiscite approves Hitler’s foreign policy.
April 27, 1936-Colonel General Goering made economic dictator.
Nov. 6, 1937—Germany, Italy and Japan sign an anti-Communist pact.
Jan. 30, 1938-Fifth anniversary of Hitler’s rise to power celebrated.
By the end of 1938, we had Hitler Youth, Brown Shirts, and the Hitler Oath – which pledged personal loyalty to Adolf Hitler rather than loyalty to the Weimar Constitution of the country. At the same time, we had Kristallnacht – destroying homes, hospitals and schools with sledgehammers, destroying over 1,400 synagogues and prayer rooms throughout Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland, damaging over 7,000 Jewish businesses, 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps.
There is no comparison to Hitler – anywhere, anytime. … those who might come close are folks like Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao.
And, if you want a real comparison to Hitler, look at contemporaneous examples. Start by examining FDR who turned away the Jewish refugees on the St. Louis (where many ended up in the camps and died), while he also incarcerated Japanese Americans in camps after America entered WWII.
There is no comparison to Hitler in modern times – you look foolish when you and others idiotically suggest Republican voters are Nazi’s and that Trump is a wannabe Hitler.
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Sorry, there is a direct parallel in the strategies and behavior as I pointed out. Trump is not a Hitler and the extremes of actions are certainly different, the basic tactics are not.
The grabbing of power through propaganda and misinformation, scapegoating, playing on people fears and perceived victim status and consolidating government to his growing authority are the same.
You are too smart and knowledgeable not to see that.
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So why the hitler comparisons, why the mustache, if as you say “Trump is not a Hitler”.
And, no the tactics are clearly not the same. Where has Trump:
Recommended America resign from the UN – Oct. 21, 1933-Germany resigns from the League of Nations.
Purged and imprisoned Army and political figures – June 30, 1934-The Nazi “purge” with the admitted execution of 77 army and political figures; about 3,000 others imprisoned for a time.
Announced compulsory military training, even reinstituted the draft – March 16, 1935-Hitler announces introduction of compulsory military training in violation of the Versailles treaty.
Occupied any other country by force – March 7, 1936-German troops occupy the Rhineland in violation of the Versailles treaty.
Made someone “economic dictator” – April 27, 1936-Colonel General Goering made economic dictator.
Signed an anti-Communist pact with other countries – Nov. 6, 1937—Germany, Italy and Japan sign an anti-Communist pact.
Created Hitler Youth, Brown Shirts, Gestapo, and the Hitler Oath – By the end of 1938, we had Hitler Youth, Brown Shirts, and the Hitler Oath – which pledged personal loyalty to Adolf Hitler rather than loyalty to the Weimar Constitution of the country.
Attacked citizens because of their religion – Kristallnacht.
or, go the other way, after gaining power:
How many times was Hitler impeached by the opposition party?
How many times was Hitler criticized in the German press?
How many times was Hitler indicted and convicted of civil offenses?
One area where they have something in common is in assasination attempts … and your comparisons to Hitler and Nazi’s are likely some of the fuel to violence that we see everyday in America.
Or, or comparison, how many people were illegally immigrating to Germany, versus how many had illegally immigrated to America – the circumstances were totally different.
Again, you are foolish to make such comparisons.
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AL LINDQUIST
that’s one reason these clowns lost the election–that Quinn actually believes this garbage doesn’t say too much for him–yes, we can criticize Trump and I certainly do for what I consider bonehead statements or legislation–comparing him to Hitler is beyond the pale but these folks are infected with TDS and common sense has left their being–in some ways it’s funny as we laughs at them like comparing the immigrants flooding to this country and now fight to stay while millions fled Germany in the 1930’s.
It’s funny to hear Quinn talk about “victim status” which is the manta of the Democrat Party–you know gays/women/LTGBQXYZ/transgender/ you name it and they have you down as a victim–identity politics.
Misinformation–is that lying about the health of the leader of the free world? maybe lying about; “the border is closed”; lying about Russian collusion; lying about Hunter’s laptop? Same thing they accuse others of they did themselves which is so typical of lefties.
Consolidating government? any examples? most of what he does is to eliminates federal rules and regulations not add to them–freeing up land to drill for oil–rolling back EPA regulations–hey, statutes that the loons on the left tore down (no penalty of course) are going back up.
Brother Quinn should stick with his big government programs (consolidating power?) like Medicare–SS–Medicaid–beyond that it is laughter time.
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I compared his behavior and methods to Hitler in the 1930s and that is valid. Read it again and tell me what is inaccurate
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Al Lindquist:
presidential rallies are nothing new although he has held more–we know Biden held few if any because of his cognitive decline–they kept him in the basement–Harris and her “word salad” speaking style was not suited for any rally–Trump’s style is questionable but folks seem to like it.
“let’s make America great again” was one of the slogans of Ronald Reagan–his campaign buttons would have that or one that emphasized a strong military. Trump left off the first word.
they all find scapegoats–Biden and his folks found “white supremacists” and billionaires–I ask my lefty friends to place a lunch bet with me–I say no deaths by shooting or knifing in our great cities this weekend by a “supremist”–no bets yet!
lots of folks want to be outsiders–I think of Jimmy Carter–nice family man–good person–not so hot as a president–because politicians usually run for the office they have a tough time being an “outsider”.
well, Trump is always on media–always answering questions–even broadcast cabinet meetings–most of the time I wish he would “shut up!”— compared to the previous guy it’s unreal–analogous to Hitler? remember, Trump is taking questions and many are unfavorable–did Hitler ever take a question?–hard to compare today’s means of getting out your message to the 1930’s.
Yes, Trump loves power but so far I have few issues–used it against Iran and looks like it has worked–lots of executive orders most returning power to the states and individuals and away from bureaucrats–rounding up illegals who came here after Biden signaled it was ok–we both want legislation allowing citizenship after time and maybe a fine so if I was Trump I would convene both houses and get something done.
I find the president guilty of lots of things but analogous to Hitler I think not–sounds almost desperate to do so–the shock value is over using Hitler–in my opinion stick to to obvious criticisms–give facts to support conclusions–no need for Hitler to be part of discussion.
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“I compared his behavior and methods to Hitler in the 1930s and that is valid. Read it again and tell me what is inaccurate”.
Again…
So why the Hitler comparisons, why the mustache, if as you say “Trump is not a Hitler”. I responded earlier to confirm that Trump hasn’t pursued many, if not most of the changes, that Hitler did … that is, his methods are much more consistent with our “Democratic norms” – Executive Orders, Legislation, Agency actions, etc. No storm troopers. No brown shirts. No Hitler youth. No invasions of other countries.
Again, NO! the tactics are clearly not the same. Where has Trump:
Recommended America resign from the UN – Oct. 21, 1933-Germany resigns from the League of Nations.
Purged and imprisoned Army and political figures – June 30, 1934-The Nazi “purge” with the admitted execution of 77 army and political figures; about 3,000 others imprisoned for a time.
Announced compulsory military training, even reinstituted the draft – March 16, 1935-Hitler announces introduction of compulsory military training in violation of the Versailles treaty.
Occupied any other country by force – March 7, 1936-German troops occupy the Rhineland in violation of the Versailles treaty.
Made someone “economic dictator” – April 27, 1936-Colonel General Goering made economic dictator.
Signed an anti-Communist pact with other countries – Nov. 6, 1937—Germany, Italy and Japan sign an anti-Communist pact.
Created Hitler Youth, Brown Shirts, Gestapo, and the Hitler Oath – By the end of 1938, we had Hitler Youth, Brown Shirts, and the Hitler Oath – which pledged personal loyalty to Adolf Hitler rather than loyalty to the Weimar Constitution of the country.
Attacked citizens because of their religion – Kristallnacht.
or, go the other way, after gaining power:
How many times was Hitler impeached by the opposition party?
How many times was Hitler criticized in the German press?
How many times was Hitler indicted and convicted of civil offenses?
One area where they have something in common is in assasination attempts … and your comparisons to Hitler and Nazi’s are likely some of the fuel to violence that we see everyday in America.
Or, or comparison, how many people were illegally immigrating to Germany, versus how many had illegally immigrated to America – the circumstances were totally different.
Again, you are foolish to make such comparisons.
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After what he just did, will you have confidence in the economic data issued by the administration? Will we see data that counters his claims? I just hope there are some independent sources to counter the smoke screen. By the way, if you don’t already access, I strongly recommend the articles from a global perspective on Project-Syndicate
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Al Lindquist:
wait a minute the revisions made are legendary–they never seem to get it right–if I am to believe the latest revision then it looks like lower interest rates are something we need–a sick economy needs lower rates–accurate numbers are needed so why have we not been getting them?
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The economic revisions are to estimates. These are all estimates. No one counts all 330+MM or 160+MM noses each month.
The PROBLEM is too much power in the beltway, where a mistake in some monthly employment or fiscal estimate might trigger some stupid policy response that is equally likely to help or hurt everyday Americans.
No one who understands how the data are collected, ever believes these estimates are totally accurate – no matter who is doing the work. Here, because they are estimates, they are CONSISTENTLY wrong. And, that will NOT change.
Worse, most Americans don’t understand the statistics. For example, do you know anyone who understands that when the government announces the CPI, and when it is repeated in the nightly news, that the CPI is NOT inflation – only price changes for an arbitrary basket of goods that clearly doesn’t match Americans’ consumption?
Always, always keep in mind the famous admonition about data – might have originated in a 1891 British publication, later popularized in America by Mark Twain: ‘There are lies, damned lies and then there are statistics.’
Original quote? “… Sir, —It has been wittily remarked that there are three kinds of falsehood: the first is a ‘fib,’ the second is a downright lie, and the third and most aggravated is statistics. …”
The differences today, again, is too many assume evil intentions, not innocence, and too much power is concentrated in the hands of beltway statisticians, politicians and other idiots.
Dick knows this. He was there many times when I was also there, and we saw beltway bureaucrats and politicians confirm that they knew what the problem was, all the issues involved, what the data confirmed, and, they knew how THEY could solve it with legislation or regulation or sub-regulatory guidance … and if they failed to get their way, many would pass along information to the press in an attempt to embarrass opponents of their “solution”, or they would collaborate with the plaintiff’s bar to accomplish their goals via the courts.
I once got a call from a WSJ reporter who was always antagonistic with employers, always assuming evil, and when I asked her where she got my name, her response was from an IRS staffer who claimed we were ripping off pensioners through some arcane provision in my defined benefit pension plan designed to provide workers the better of two pension formulas.
Underhanded abuses so bad they have prompted legislative proposals like this 2025 gem:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2958?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22michael+rulli%22%7D&s=7&r=2
Still happening today, everyday.
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No. You’re beclowning yourself.
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Al Lindquist
As usual the time and effort you make is appreciated–you wonder how people like Quinn arrive at such silly conclusions–criticizing Trump is just fine–I hear daily and that’s the way it should be–seems like Quinn is guilty of those qualities he seems to dislike–can’t wait to hear his thoughts on the Socialist/Communist who looks to be the next NYC Mayor.
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Trump is a deeply flawed personality, his behavior is erratic at best, he can’t stick to a subject when speaking. He does not follow a plan or long term strategy. He is following the Project 2025 outline which he claimed not to know about. He alludes to doing things unconstitutional like a 3rd term.
He bullies and attacks anyone who disagrees with him. He is vengeful. He publicly humiliates others in government and beyond.
He is an embarrassment to the United States and nothing he is doing is for the benefit of average Americans. He is obsessed with cutting the size of government and damned the consequences.
He claims to want to reduce deficits, but does the opposite. He has created chaos within our government and globally.
He makes ludicrous claims about tariffs, never recognizing they are a consumption tax on us all.
And, don’t say well so and so, Biden did this or that. What matters is Trump, not what anyone else did or didn’t do. His approval rating has been going down. Perhaps people are starting to figure him out. I hope.
I am not trying to convince you of anything because Trump supporters will not change, which I find more amazing every day that passes by and things get worse.
What exactly did you vote for him to do?
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I’m not a Trump supporter, never was, never will be. But, he is your president and mine. So, despite the fact that he is an idiot and an ass, I am hoping to make the best out of his four years in office – same as 2017 – 2021.
He is different than Obama and Biden, but, they are no worse, nor better, having dumped tens of trillions of debt onto Americans – borrowing money we don’t have, saddling generations to come with debt, setting expectations that there is someone out there who can redistribute money from the “rich” or the “wealthy” sufficient to meet the wants of all other Americans.
Just finished reading Abundance. You should check it out from your library. Exra Klein and Derek Thompson kind of give up on Republicans and Trumpers, but, their solution for improving the lives of Americans, today and tomorrow, is as much focused on liberals and Democrats.
Not once do they call Trump or those who voted for him, Nazi’s or Hitler.
Take the hint.
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Neither did I. I made the parallel comparison in terms of style and methods to power and that comparison is fact.
During his first time in office I too admonished people who attacked him saying respect the office, he is your president. This time he has made a mockery of the office. His behavior does not deserve respect.
Have you read some of the disgusting things he writes on Truth Social or worse the garbage he allows to be posted – way beyond Facebook or Twitter.
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No, I don’t read Truth Social stuff. When he speaks, it is as irritating as fingernails on a chalk board. I hit the mute button. He is an idiot and an ass. I have repeatedly said that his actual performance as president would be much improved if someone stuck a gag in his mouth, shut him up and took away his phone.
I watch Smerconish on Saturday 9AM Eastern on CNN, and listen to him on satellite radio 124 Potus, Monday through Friday, 9AM – Noon Eastern.
From last Saturday’s CNN Show:
“… in the Wall Street Journal survey, President Trump’s approval stood at 46 percent. While this is considerably higher than the Democrats rating, it’s actually better than usual for Trump, but still underwater. Yet Democrats have been unsuccessful in capitalizing on Trump and his more unpopular policies. It might sound counterintuitive, but maybe what’s in the party’s best interest is to, dare I say, agree with Trump from time to time. Acknowledge wins on issues like NATO, trade and the border, which have yielded some positive results even while disagreeing with the way in which they came. It’s a good thing that migration through our previously porous borders has slowed to a trickle and that our NATO allies have agreed to increase their contribution from 2 percent to 5 percent of gross domestic product. And that the markets, despite having just had a rough week, have done well in the year to date.
Inflation seems to be tamed. Plus, while Trump’s tariff policy looked like it was implemented by the seat of his pants, thus far, all the doomsday fears have not panned out. Bill Maher said it this way on his Club Random podcast.
BILL MAHER, HOST OF REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER: Just to take an example, tariffs. Now, I remember all along with probably most people, were saying at the beginning, oh, you know, by the 4th of July, somebody had to think how the country was — the economy was going to be tanked by then. And I was kind of like, well, that seems right to me. But that didn’t happen.
Now, it could happen tomorrow? I’m just saying —
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
MAHER: — that’s reality. So let’s work first from the reality of that, not from, I just hate Donald Trump.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
MAHER: Because that’s boring and doesn’t get us anywhere and lead you to dishonesty. Because the truth is, I don’t know what his strategy is. But look, the stock market is at record highs. I know not everybody lives by the stock market, but I also drive around, I don’t see a country in a depression at all. I see people out there just living their lives.
And I would have thought, and I got to own it, that the cut — that these tariffs were going to (BLEEP) sink this economy by this time. And they didn’t. So, you know, what — how do we deal with that fact? Because that’s the fact.
…
SMERCONISH: Like Maher, Bret Stephens is not a fan of Donald Trump. He’s a conservative critic who writes for the “New York Times.” This week he published under the headline “The Trump Presidency Takes a Better Turn.”
Stephens called the first 100 days of Trump 2.0 disastrous, but then said that Trump has more recently been successful. Not something the president’s quote, “foam at the mouth critics had planned.” He notes the strikes against Iran, which took political courage, were effective and did not result in a calamitous war. He lauds the delivery of arms to Ukraine, even if it was belated.
And then, summing things up, Bret Stephens wrote this, he said, “If Trump’s opponents want to someday be effective, and let’s face it, we haven’t been, then we need to come to grips with the realities that have so far eluded us, such as not everything Trump does is bad. Sometimes the president’s bad manners and over the top tactics achieve useful diplomatic or political results. His about face on Ukraine is a welcome demonstration that he’s capable of changing his mind when the facts don’t bear him out. Fulmination and moral hectoring are rarely persuasive, and neither are incessant predictions of doom that never quite materialize. Americans will listen to Democrats when they propose better solutions to common problems, not when they openly root for the administration to fail.
I’ve lambasted the administration over and over again, both in its current and previous term, and I’m sure I will again. But while it’s never fun to be fair to those you dislike, it’s also healthy for criticism to be credible, it cannot be blind.”
I say that’s a worthwhile reminder to a party that competes to outdo one another in condemnation of everything Trump. Mark Halpern made a similar point this week in his newsletter, observing “Democrats in their heartfelt anger and indignity, continue to throw every available stone, stick, wrench, spanner and kitchen sink at the head of the giant.”
But that kitchen sink strategy isn’t working so well. Actually, that’s not fair, it is working. It’s working well for Donald J. Trump, two impeachments, four indictments, endless investigations, constant carping about Trump and condescension toward his supporters. At some point it all blends into background noise such that when something truly egregious happens, like the firing of the person whose job it is to track labor statistics, nobody pays attention, the outrage loses its edge, the tree falls and the forest shrugs. …”
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The worst of the Trump negative impact both internal and international won’t be felt for years and much of the negative consequences will fall on his modest income supporters.
Even the air strike was clearly not as he claimed even if effective for the time being.
His personality prevents him from acting in the best interests of most Americans.
Will Americans figure out who pays the tariffs? Will we get accurate numbers on the economy in the future?
You just can’t trust him to an extent far behind and president in my memory.
You should also read Project Syndicate to get an international view of this administration.
Right now scholars and political scientists rank him as the worst president even below Buchanan who has been last on the list for many years.
I’d hate to be the next president when it all hits and tax increases are essential as I’m sure they will be. Will the next president get to blame Trump as he is still doing with Biden?
Just despicable individual and only the time I ever voted for a democrat was the last election out of desperation. The first time for Trump I wrote in Barry Goldwater and I was too young to vote in 1964- by a week.
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Didn’t vote for President in any of the last three elections, undervote each time.
but today’s idiot ass inherited all kinds of crap from his predecessors – so no reason not to blame Obama and Biden for the mess we are in – deficits, immigration, Isis, Hamas , Russia , etc.
no one called Obama Hitler when he said I have a phone and a pen, DACA, etc. no one called Biden Hitler when he decided to unilaterally buy votes by waiving student debt.
hope he succeeds for all of us.
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Spot on, you nailed it!
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