Comparisons Between Trump and Dictators Spark Backlash: Atlantic Article Under Fire

[Social Media]

 

An article published by *The Atlantic* comparing former President Donald Trump to dictators such as Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Benito Mussolini has stirred controversy among journalists and political commentators. The piece, titled "Trump Is Speaking Like Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini," was penned by Anne Applebaum and published on Friday, quickly igniting fierce responses on social media.

 

In her article, Applebaum argued that Trump’s use of dehumanizing language mirrors that of fascist regimes. "The former president has brought dehumanizing language into American presidential politics," Applebaum claimed. She went on to analyze Trump’s rhetoric, drawing historical parallels to infamous dictators. "These words belong to a particular tradition. Adolf Hitler used these kinds of terms often," Applebaum wrote, citing examples from Nazi propaganda.

 

 

The article drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his disdain for the comparisons. "When you spend 8 years calling a person every bad name you can think of — including Hitler — only to see that it’s not working, so you desperately decide the only thing left for you to do is call him all the bad names at once," Greenwald wrote, mocking the nature of the headline.

 

RealClearPolitics co-founder and president Tom Bevan joined the chorus of critics, sarcastically referring to the article as “The Atlantic with a threefer,” while Margot Cleveland, senior legal correspondent for *The Federalist*, simply responded, “When Hitler isn’t bad enough!”

 

In defense of the article, *The Atlantic*'s national editor Scott Stossel praised Applebaum’s knowledge of authoritarian regimes. "My colleague [Applebaum] knows as much about the history of authoritarian regimes as anyone. When she says that Trump has begun using the language of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini with clear intentionality, pay attention."

 

Applebaum’s article delved deeply into the rhetoric used by these dictators. She referenced Hitler’s praise in 1938 of those who "helped cleanse Germany of all those parasites who drank at the well of the despair of the Fatherland and the People," and compared this to Trump’s vilification of political opponents. In another example, she cited a 1941 Nazi propaganda poster depicting Jews as lice, with the slogan, “Jews are lice: they cause typhus,” arguing that such dehumanizing language resonates in Trump's political rhetoric. 

 

Trump’s campaign was quick to respond to the article, labeling it as another attempt by the media to vilify the former president. In a statement to *Fox News Digital*, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the piece as "fake news by a third-rate media outlet." Cheung criticized the tone of the article, arguing that Democrats and their allies are the ones fostering dangerous rhetoric. “There have been two heinous assassination attempts on President Trump’s life, and their violent rhetoric is directly to blame,” Cheung said. He further accused Democrats and Vice President Kamala Harris of inciting violence, calling their rhetoric "disgusting and abhorrent."

 

Cheung concluded by asserting that Democrats are exploiting these assassination attempts for political gain, stating, "The only people trying to take political advantage of the attempted assassination are Democrats who continue to use loaded and dangerous rhetoric that have emboldened those who threaten the safety of President Trump."

 

Based on a report from the NYP 2024-10-22

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

Applebaum is spot on.

[expat_4_life]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his disdain for the comparisons. "When you spend 8 years calling a person every bad name you can think of — including Hitler — only to see that it’s not working, so you desperately decide the only thing left for you to do is call him all the bad names at once," Greenwald wrote, mocking the nature of the headline.

 

Greenwald is of course correct.  Perhaps it was the McDonalds campaign stop that triggered Applebaum this time.
 

Edited October 21 by expat_4_life

[Tug]

They are spot on in my humble opinion it’s frustrating that many are so blinded by partisanship and fake fox and their ilk news.

[neeray]

Trump wants to be famous. Time is running out but his dictator desire is sure to stick. That will give him fame for sure.

[earlinclaifornia]

October Surprise is here MAGA. Read all about it!

[jippytum]

 Trump carried out more of his  promised election mandates   than any other US president in his first term in office. 

His direct approach will be welcome for another four years. 

Bring it on Donald  America is voting for you. 

 

 

[john donson]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Applebaum is spot on.

 

the apple baum does not fall far from the tree? 

 

what is israel doing? international terrorism? hate speech ?

[wwest5829]

3 hours ago, Tug said:

They are spot on in my humble opinion it’s frustrating that many are so blinded by partisanship and fake fox and their ilk news.

As we approach the national election in the USA with all its discord, purposeful misinformation and right out documented lies, it is understandable that all of us US citizens feel disheartened. I ask those of you, disheartened as I am that such a person as Donald J. Trump would ever be considered as worthy of representing the United States of America, to step back, put on the critical thinking cap and consider … I certainly understand and agree with the justified frustration/anger within the working middle class (most certainly Trump and his ilk are not the answer). The fact that such a reprehensible person could even be considered by so many should raise a serious question in your mind and in the minds of all … he is only able to have support because citizens, in their analysis believe that the continuing policies/actions of both major political parties have failed to address the very real issues facing us. Thus, far too many are open to even considering a person of such low character and capabilities. Again, Trump has a well documented history and is no where near the answer to our current critical point in history but … there is a very serious consideration for all. While both parties can be faulted, there is a difference critical to our future … the current Trump party must be soundly defeated, and then … if the Democrats do not see the writing on the wall and try to continue to “squeeze by” … I call for them too to be soundly dismissed in the next elections in two years.

[flexomike]

3 hours ago, Tug said:

They are spot on in my humble opinion it’s frustrating that many are so blinded by partisanship and fake fox and their ilk news.

You don't and never have had a humble opinion. Can bet any post with Trump in it you will be one of the first ones bashing him. As I have said before I am not a Trump fan, but there is no way in Hell that I will vote for Kamala, she is the most unqualifed candidate for president in the history of our country.

 

3 hours ago, Tug said:

They are spot on in my humble opinion it’s frustrating that many are so blinded by partisanship and fake fox and their ilk news.

 

[flexomike]

5 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

As we approach the national election in the USA with all its discord, purposeful misinformation and right out documented lies, it is understandable that all of us US citizens feel disheartened. I ask those of you, disheartened as I am that such a person as Donald J. Trump would ever be considered as worthy of representing the United States of America, to step back, put on the critical thinking cap and consider … I certainly understand and agree with the justified frustration/anger within the working middle class (most certainly Trump and his ilk are not the answer). The fact that such a reprehensible person could even be considered by so many should raise a serious question in your mind and in the minds of all … he is only able to have support because citizens, in their analysis believe that the continuing policies/actions of both major political parties have failed to address the very real issues facing us. Thus, far too many are open to even considering a person of such low character and capabilities. Again, Trump has a well documented history and is no where near the answer to our current critical point in history but … there is a very serious consideration for all. While both parties can be faulted, there is a difference critical to our future … the current Trump party must be soundly defeated, and then … if the Democrats do not see the writing on the wall and try to continue to “squeeze by” … I call for them too to be soundly dismissed in the next elections in two years.

You could subsitute Kamala for Trump in this post and you would be spot on.

[newbee2022]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

An article published by *The Atlantic* comparing former President Donald Trump to dictators such as Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Benito Mussolini has stirred controversy among journalists and political commentators. The piece, titled "Trump Is Speaking Like Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini," was penned by Anne Applebaum and published on Friday, quickly igniting fierce responses on social media.

 

In her article, Applebaum argued that Trump’s use of dehumanizing language mirrors that of fascist regimes. "The former president has brought dehumanizing language into American presidential politics," Applebaum claimed. She went on to analyze Trump’s rhetoric, drawing historical parallels to infamous dictators. "These words belong to a particular tradition. Adolf Hitler used these kinds of terms often," Applebaum wrote, citing examples from Nazi propaganda.

 

 

The article drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his disdain for the comparisons. "When you spend 8 years calling a person every bad name you can think of — including Hitler — only to see that it’s not working, so you desperately decide the only thing left for you to do is call him all the bad names at once," Greenwald wrote, mocking the nature of the headline.

 

 

RealClearPolitics co-founder and president Tom Bevan joined the chorus of critics, sarcastically referring to the article as “The Atlantic with a threefer,” while Margot Cleveland, senior legal correspondent for *The Federalist*, simply responded, “When Hitler isn’t bad enough!”

 

In defense of the article, *The Atlantic*'s national editor Scott Stossel praised Applebaum’s knowledge of authoritarian regimes. "My colleague [Applebaum] knows as much about the history of authoritarian regimes as anyone. When she says that Trump has begun using the language of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini with clear intentionality, pay attention."

 

Applebaum’s article delved deeply into the rhetoric used by these dictators. She referenced Hitler’s praise in 1938 of those who "helped cleanse Germany of all those parasites who drank at the well of the despair of the Fatherland and the People," and compared this to Trump’s vilification of political opponents. In another example, she cited a 1941 Nazi propaganda poster depicting Jews as lice, with the slogan, “Jews are lice: they cause typhus,” arguing that such dehumanizing language resonates in Trump's political rhetoric. 

 

Trump’s campaign was quick to respond to the article, labeling it as another attempt by the media to vilify the former president. In a statement to *Fox News Digital*, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the piece as "fake news by a third-rate media outlet." Cheung criticized the tone of the article, arguing that Democrats and their allies are the ones fostering dangerous rhetoric. “There have been two heinous assassination attempts on President Trump’s life, and their violent rhetoric is directly to blame,” Cheung said. He further accused Democrats and Vice President Kamala Harris of inciting violence, calling their rhetoric "disgusting and abhorrent."

 

Cheung concluded by asserting that Democrats are exploiting these assassination attempts for political gain, stating, "The only people trying to take political advantage of the attempted assassination are Democrats who continue to use loaded and dangerous rhetoric that have emboldened those who threaten the safety of President Trump."

 

Based on a report from the NYP 2024-10-22

 

 

 

Very good description. Every Yank should read it, including all students.

And it should be broadcasted by Fox.

 

[renaissanc]

The Dem-Marxists are getting desperate. The fear-mongering clearly hasn't worked and Comrade Kamala has no successful record to campaign with. Trump is carrying out more events than Comrade Kamala, yet she says he is exhausted. The Dem-Marxist media is having a meltdown after Trump worked at Mcdonald's yesterday while there is no record of Comrade ever having worked there. To all the expats here who hate Trump and who believe like ABC/CNN/MSNBC/Etc. that Trump is Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and all of the other dictators in history, and a danger to US Democracy, mankind, the universe, the multiverse, and God, have you noticed that even Chuck Schumer sat next to him at the recent dinner? It's all nonsense.  

[Jingthing]

Quacks like duck.

He tells you what he is.

Take the warning seriously.

 

 

[newnative]

The truth hurts.

[flexomike]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Quacks like duck.

He tells you what he is.

Take the warning seriously.

 

 

Cackle like a chicken is ok though - 555

[JonnyF]

The Dems are desperate. Nothing else has worked so now they've gone full circle and are back to calling him Hitler again.

 

Roll on November. Let's end this clown show. 

 

[newnative]

47 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

The Dems are desperate. Nothing else has worked so now they've gone full circle and are back to calling him Hitler again.

 

Roll on November. Let's end this clown show. 

 

     The one calling Trump Hitler is none other than his VP candidate, Vance.  Correctly, too.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 10/22/2024 at 9:31 AM, Social Media said:

In her article, Applebaum argued that Trump’s use of dehumanizing language mirrors that of fascist regimes.

Nothing to say about calling millions of Trump voters "deplorable", apparently.

 

When one wants to use the media to push a bias, one needs to be prepared to justify it beyond just not liking the target.

[thaibeachlovers]

19 hours ago, renaissanc said:

The Dem-Marxists are getting desperate. The fear-mongering clearly hasn't worked and Comrade Kamala has no successful record to campaign with. Trump is carrying out more events than Comrade Kamala, yet she says he is exhausted. The Dem-Marxist media is having a meltdown after Trump worked at Mcdonald's yesterday while there is no record of Comrade ever having worked there. To all the expats here who hate Trump and who believe like ABC/CNN/MSNBC/Etc. that Trump is Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and all of the other dictators in history, and a danger to US Democracy, mankind, the universe, the multiverse, and God, have you noticed that even Chuck Schumer sat next to him at the recent dinner? It's all nonsense.  

Their fear is growing by the day as the V day comes nearer, and Harris is unable to put light between them.

The continued wars in two places are doing nothing to make her more popular either. She didn't start them, but she's as tainted by them as much as Biden is. The Gaza conflict is going to make many young voters stay home, rather than vote for someone colluding in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

[WDSmart]

Lock him up!

[Tug]

22 hours ago, flexomike said:

You don't and never have had a humble opinion. Can bet any post with Trump in it you will be one of the first ones bashing him. As I have said before I am not a Trump fan, but there is no way in Hell that I will vote for Kamala, she is the most unqualifed candidate for president in the history of our country.

 

 

Please share how’s she’s unqualified…..is it her stint as a DA perhaps it was her stint as the AG for the state with the 5th largest economy on the planet….perhaps it was her service as a senator for the United States of America…..her stint as the vice president???just what is it that makes her so unqualified??I will clue you in on something if I feel my democracy is under threat you can bet your life I will defend it.here’s another little tid bit for you.general Mark Kelley has come out today saying trump admires hitler he agrees with general Miley that trump is a fascist he also said trump does indeed call our pows and war dead suckers and losers……bear in mind general Kelley lost a son Kia in combat…..

[frank83628]

typical radical left activist

[ericbj]

THe U.S. has two lousy candidates for President.

 

Neither of them are giving significant attention to the greatest problem facing the nation:  the run-away debt coupled with progressive loss of the international reserve status of the dollar.

 

Trump sent the U.S. debt through the roof, similar to what many governments did that had the misfortune to be in power at the time of the plandemic.  But he also boosted such things as military spending.  And kicked off, in a big way, currency warfare.

 

The Biden-Harris team has, by one decision after another, undermined the dollar's international reserve status - established in 1944, and which has persisted well beyond 1971 thanks to the introduction of the petro-dollar.

 

The dollar and U.S. Treasury bills are what have enabled the U.S. consumer to live well beyond his productive means.  But owing to the huge and ever-growing national debt, foreign creditors are becoming increasingly reluctant to buy Treasury bills.

 

The theoretical answer is to raise interest rates, to attract foreign buyers.  But the problem to this is the size of the debt:  interest payments due on the debt then start to rise exponentially, and the lure of the higher interest rates are offset by the possibility of a dollar default.

 

Circumstances change and systems fail eventually.  But the actions of the Biden-Harris team seem to illustrate a desire to collapse the dollar's reserve status as rapidly as possible.  Due to wilfulness?  Or to blindness?  Blindness perhaps on the part of Biden and Harris.  But unlikely in the case of their manipulators.

 

There is no simple answer to this problem of voters having such an appalling choice of candidates.  But two things stand out.

 

1.  The selection process must be changed; and

 

2.  Information sources readily available to the mass of the citizenry must no longer be owned by a handful of financial conglomerates.
People must be informed, so as to form their own opinions.  Rather than indoctrinated with an agenda that sidesteps vital issues.