It’s Official: With “Vermin,” Trump Is Now Using Straight-up Nazi Talk He’s telling us what he will do to his political enemies if he’s president again. Is anyone listening?

I feel pretty safe in saying that we can now stop giving him the benefit of that particular doubt. His use—twice; once on social media, and then repeated in a speech—of the word “vermin” to describe his political enemies cannot be an accident. That’s an unusual word choice. It’s not a smear that one just grabs out of the air. And it appears in history chiefly in one context, and one context only.

    • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I remember pointing out that trump was using Nazi rhetoric during his ‘16 campaign.

      The number of people that argued with me about how it was an exaggeration. Makes me want to scream.

      • Rakonat@lemmy.world
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        Anyone who says he wasn’t is willfully ignorant so they don’t have to admit they support facism, or unironically ignorant and falling victim to what facism does best: take advantage of the uneducated

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          They weren’t the sorts of people to listen to his rallies, etc. Mostly just caught the highlights and sound bites. So when rhetoric started they were mostly… unwilling to accept that. it was just… inconceivable.

      • Igloojoe@lemm.ee
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        The dude bragged about how he had mein keimf on his bedstand.

        Him and Desantis both studied hitler and wannabe him.

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            Not of the book. But I heard he studied history in college, and basically he is basically using the same playbook pre-WW2 nazi germany was doing.

    • TechyDad@lemmy.world
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      Slightly. Trump seems to be ramping up the rhetoric. He’s getting more and more comfortable emulating Nazi speech. And each step along the way, the media normalizes it by reporting “oh, that wacky Trump said something crazy again!”

      At this rate, he’ll be posting in September 2024 about a final solution to rid this country of his political enemies and all Jews and the NYT will report “Trump Puts Forward Plan To Unite Washington.”

    • TechyDad@lemmy.world
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      And that was an actual term before he co-opted it. It would refer to the random blogs that claimed to be news sites that would post laughably false articles with doctored photos and completely made up quotes.

      There was stuff with Hillary saying things that she literally never said, but it was “reporting” that she said it. The minor right wing sites would then cite these articles and the major right wing organizations would quote them. It would be proven false (easily) but by then they had moved onto the latest thing Hillary “did” (according to these sites).

      Trump took this very useful term and twisted it into “anything I don’t like is fake.”

      • Doc Avid Mornington
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        Thank you, it drives me batty that it’s become so hard to discuss the problems of actual fake news, much of which benefits Trump and needs to be called out, without people thinking we’re MAGA conspiracy loons.

        But also, I kind of chuckled, because your use of past tense made it sound like those things don’t happen anymore, rather than being the cornerstone of right wing media today.

      • Doc Avid Mornington
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        Thank you, it drives me batty that it’s become so hard to discuss the problems of actual fake news, much of which benefits Trump and needs to be called out, without people thinking we’re MAGA conspiracy loons.

        But also, I kind of chuckled, because your use of past tense made it sound like those things don’t happen anymore, rather than being the cornerstone of right wing media today.

      • Doc Avid Mornington
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        Thank you, it drives me batty that it’s become so hard to discuss the problems of actual fake news, much of which benefits Trump and needs to be called out, without people thinking we’re MAGA conspiracy loons.

        But also, I kind of chuckled, because your use of past tense made it sound like those things don’t happen anymore, rather than being the cornerstone of right wing media today.

  • TechyDad@lemmy.world
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    I’m sure Trump’s spokesman will walk back the Nazi talk… Oh, wait:

    Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said of anyone who compares Trump to Hitler or Mussolini that, “their entire existence will be crushed when President Trump returns to the White House”

    So they’re just doubling down on the Nazi then.

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    Anyone still unclear to the concept? This is his play book, his manual. Nothing else. If you don’t recognize it, shame on you and your history teacher.

    • kn33@lemmy.world
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      In 1923, Hitler and his supporters attempted a coup in Bavaria. This seminal event was later called the Beer Hall Putsch. Upon its failure, Hitler escaped, only to be subsequently arrested and put on trial. The trial proved to be a blessing in disguise for Hitler, as it garnered him national fame. Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison, but he would only serve eight months. During this time, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, which became the vade mecum of National Socialism. Once released, Hitler switched tactics, opting to instead seize power through legal and democratic means.

      So… fuck…

      • Treczoks@lemm.ee
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        Yep. There was something about people who don’t know history are bound to repeat it’s mistakes.

      • LillyPip@lemmy.ca
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        He’s too old for all that, but good news everybody! Trump isn’t the real threat anyhow – he’s the carnival barker. The real threat is the organised group of fascists who have been working hard on all the plans and slogans he claims as his. People like Steven Miller, Bannon, Stone, and some members of Congress.

        They’re younger, smarter, and more determined than trump to replace democracy with their authoritarian utopia. They’ll find another front man when trump is gone.

      • PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee
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        Yeas, but thank goodness Trump is a senior citizen. He’s really only doing this to keep his fatass out of prison.

        He is not a mastermind, and I still believe his health will fail sooner than we expect.

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      Trump doesn’t care about government employees defending the constitution, he wants government employees loyal to HIM. If Trump had enough people like this last time the United States democracy would be over.

      Stop voting for Republicans. They are un-American and don’t believe in our democracy.

    • UnspecificGravity@discuss.tchncs.de
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      That’s exactly it, and this is also why the media CONSTANTLY “discovering” that Trump is a Nazi is just signal boosting his campaign content.

      Maybe in another eight years they will move on from “dae notice that Trump is a racist fascist Nazi?” And instead start saying “don’t vote for racist fascist Nazis, do this instead.”

    • 1847953620@lemmy.world
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      the media are a bunch of pussies hedging their bets with the audience, also willing to skew anything to cause controversy as long as it doesn’t come back to bite them. Sensationalism sells.

    • Bgugi@lemmy.world
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      Likely liability… Saying “X” puts you in the way of more lawsuits than “so-and-so says ‘X’”

      • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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        You’re possibly correct, though my understanding is journalism gets enough freedom for it to be OK, but that potentially has to be resolved in court which takes money. They’d rather not be totally honest than lose a little profit.

        • Womble@lemmy.world
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          That title is totally honest though? They are reporting the fact that the Biden campaign said X. Deciding whether or not that is an accurate portrayal of Trump is a matter for opinion and analysis section not news.

          • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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            Also the Guardian is a UK publication, defamation is slightly easier to win in the UK, thus more likely to be costly for the defendant. Truth is not an absolute defense like it is in the US.

    • TheFriar@lemm.ee
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      As described in The Newsroom, a great show I personally love, the media is “biased toward fairness.”

      This is most likely due to the need to be as profitable as possible, although now that business model is changing in the Trump/Fox/MSNBC-Hyper-Partisan era and we are seeing more catered viewpoints. But the “bias toward fairness” is what has helped shift the Overton window so far to the right. They ignore basic factual truth to appear “fair,” taking this floating viewpoint that insists on looking at everything through the amorphous, yet binary, political lens.

      The example used in the show was about flat earthers (this was, actually, a time when that was an absolutely absurd example): “if half of the Republican caucus walked onto the house floor tomorrow and said ‘the earth is flat,’ The Times would lead with ‘Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on shape of earth.’”

      It’s one of the many, many, many, many issues with modern society that stack up to give us the overarching problem…of everything going on today. I dunno, maybe this is just me, but any time I think about any nuanced, hyper-specific issue like this, with such far-reaching consequences, our problems seem insurmountable. Because this issue is connected to larger issues and much smaller issues and THE largest issue and the consequences are devastating…it just seems like modern society has become so stacked and complicated that you can’t unravel one problem without digging up and figuring out a million others. And we’re running out of time. But even saying THAT is a multifaceted conversation…it’s all so exhausting.

  • ghostdoggtv@lemmy.world
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    People have been talking about the unindicted traitor since J6 and the media pretends Nazis hushing up means no one is talking about it. Anyone still pretending he’s a legitimate candidate for office has their head up their ass.

    • lagomorphlecture@lemm.ee
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      He was elected once and I hate to say it but there’s still a chance he’ll be elected again. He isn’t legitimate in the sense that he has no sense of decorum or history or human decency but he could be elected.

        • TechyDad@lemmy.world
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          You and I agree he’s ineligible, but if 2016-2020 has taught us anything, it’s that our laws and rules mean nothing if the courts don’t enforce them.

          What happens if Trump appointed judges decide that Trump still can be on the ballot? What if they decide that insurrection isn’t disqualifying because reasons?

          Trump could get into office again and shred any bits of the Constitution that he hasn’t already ripped up. And this time, he might decide that he’s not leaving office and judges he appoints could agree.

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          I understand that there is a huge argument for that. However, I wasn’t under the impression that this is proven. It would potentially go to the Supreme Court. I don’t have faith in the court as its currently configured.

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            Congress could make this vote on their own motion. It’s only going to the courts because people can’t coordinate a way of forcing a vote through the legislature.

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              Oh, I couldn’t have any less faith in a Republican led house. They can barely elect a speaker or pass a budget. Anything more meaningful than that will certainly be off the table. Especially since they are all cowards and refused to call a spade a spade with Trump.

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                The most beautiful thing, in my opinion, about 14a3 is that in times of crisis when we are likely to be divided, the vote is designed to fail. It’s a bottom line, 2/3 majority in both houses to requalify.

        • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world
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          Rules don’t apply to him because Democrats are only interested in following rules that keep themselves ineffective.

          • JonEFive
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            They worry to much about “escalation” and the Republicans saying “don’t you do that, or we’ll do it too!”. They were going to do it anyway as soon as their old tricks didn’t work.

  • GreenM@lemmy.world
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    The guy is facing like dozens of criminal charges. How can someone like that run for presidency in the first place?

    • RGB3x3@lemmy.world
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      Innocent until proven guilty. It’s important to remember that.

      However, I’d argue the President of the United States should be held to a higher standard than merely “not convicted.”

      • CheeseNoodle@lemmy.world
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        Hasn’t he now said things in open court multiple times that would be taken as direct admissions coming from anyone else?

      • Kyrgizion@lemmy.world
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        “Not convicted” is actually not a requirement. Being a natural born US citizen and at least 35 of age are the only ones, although specific convictions could bar him from holding specific offices.

        If all of his lawsuits remain undecided until the elections there is nothing stopping him (and presumably finding a way to pardon himself ex post facto somehow).

        • APassenger@lemmy.world
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          He will appeal any and everything. He’s litigious and has enough funds to run this for a while.

          He’s also a former president so he’ll count on special standing.

          Convictions may - or should - move votes, but I fully expect him to be on ballots throughout the nation next year. A few states may use the 14th Amendment, but if any states prevail in that, I don’t expect they were likely to go for him anyhow.

          Someone will tell me I’m wrong, but states that want Trump enough do shady things. Also, anyone coming here with a sirens song about how Trump will be convicted and the DOJ really knows this matters… Let’s see how this goes. I’m sure they’re serious. I’m also sure the justice system will give him every chance to prove himself not guilty.

          We must beat him at the ballot box. And we should prepare that way.

          • Madison420@lemmy.world
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            He’s litigious and has enough funds to run this for a while.

            That’s actually a big question especially if his businesses are seized.

            • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
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              He can get a million idiots to sign over their social security checks just by posting a video. He’s never running out of money.

                • APassenger@lemmy.world
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                  People can help other people pay court costs. It’s done every day across the US.

                  Where are you getting your information?

                • SheDiceToday@eslemmy.es
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                  Not literally, mate. But if you can scam a grandmother out of her money by asking for itunes gift cards, you can bet she’ll send an actual check.

            • spaceghoti@lemmy.one
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              He’s been pulling millions in donations for his legal defense. He won’t have a problem there.

              • Madison420@lemmy.world
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                Claimed and he’s under investigation for the use of those funds. Similarly he hasn’t paid his legal team, it’s a big issue for them.

            • APassenger@lemmy.world
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              This encapsulates what I’ve been seeing here.

              He will appeal that ruling. They have been trying to set multiple reasons why if should be allowed - and he’ll try them all and then some.

              The court where this ends (before 2025), is the court of public opinion. Or we get lucky that every layer rejects his claims that an appeal is warranted because x.

    • LesserAbe@lemmy.world
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      On the other end of the “things I support” spectrum, Eugene Debs kept running as a socialist for president even after he was put in jail (for a speech against the war)

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        E. V. Debs’ Statement to the Court, Upon Being Convicted of Violating the Sedition Act, September 18, 1918:

        "Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.

        I listened to all that was said in this court in support and justification of this prosecution, but my mind remains unchanged. I look upon the Espionage Law as a despotic enactment in flagrant conflict with democratic principles and with the spirit of free institutions…

        Your Honor, I have stated in this court that I am opposed to the social system in which we live; that I believe in a fundamental change—but if possible by peaceable and orderly means…

        Standing here this morning, I recall my boyhood. At fourteen I went to work in a railroad shop; at sixteen I was firing a freight engine on a railroad. I remember all the hardships and privations of that earlier day, and from that time until now my heart has been with the working class. I could have been in Congress long ago. I have preferred to go to prison…

        I am thinking this morning of the men in the mills and the factories; of the men in the mines and on the railroads. I am thinking of the women who for a paltry wage are compelled to work out their barren lives; of the little children who in this system are robbed of their childhood and in their tender years are seized in the remorseless grasp of Mammon and forced into the industrial dungeons, there to feed the monster machines while they themselves are being starved and stunted, body and soul. I see them dwarfed and diseased and their little lives broken and blasted because in this high noon of Christian civilization money is still so much more important than the flesh and blood of childhood. In very truth gold is god today and rules with pitiless sway in the affairs of men.

        In this country—the most favored beneath the bending skies—we have vast areas of the richest and most fertile soil, material resources in inexhaustible abundance, the most marvelous productive machinery on earth, and millions of eager workers ready to apply their labor to that machinery to produce in abundance for every man, woman, and child—and if there are still vast numbers of our people who are the victims of poverty and whose lives are an unceasing struggle all the way from youth to old age, until at last death comes to their rescue and lulls these hapless victims to dreamless sleep, it is not the fault of the Almighty: it cannot be charged to nature, but it is due entirely to the outgrown social system in which we live that ought to be abolished not only in the interest of the toiling masses but in the higher interest of all humanity…

        I believe, Your Honor, in common with all Socialists, that this nation ought to own and control its own industries. I believe, as all Socialists do, that all things that are jointly needed and used ought to be jointly owned—that industry, the basis of our social life, instead of being the private property of a few and operated for their enrichment, ought to be the common property of all, democratically administered in the interest of all…

        I am opposing a social order in which it is possible for one man who does absolutely nothing that is useful to amass a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars, while millions of men and women who work all the days of their lives secure barely enough for a wretched existence.

        This order of things cannot always endure. I have registered my protest against it. I recognize the feebleness of my effort, but, fortunately, I am not alone. There are multiplied thousands of others who, like myself, have come to realize that before we may truly enjoy the blessings of civilized life, we must reorganize society upon a mutual and cooperative basis; and to this end we have organized a great economic and political movement that spreads over the face of all the earth.

        There are today upwards of sixty millions of Socialists, loyal, devoted adherents to this cause, regardless of nationality, race, creed, color, or sex. They are all making common cause. They are spreading with tireless energy the propaganda of the new social order. They are waiting, watching, and working hopefully through all the hours of the day and the night. They are still in a minority. But they have learned how to be patient and to bide their time. The feel—they know, indeed—that the time is coming, in spite of all opposition, all persecution, when this emancipating gospel will spread among all the peoples, and when this minority will become the triumphant majority and, sweeping into power, inaugurate the greatest social and economic change in history.

        In that day we shall have the universal commonwealth—the harmonious cooperation of every nation with every other nation on earth…

        Your Honor, I ask no mercy and I plead for no immunity. I realize that finally the right must prevail. I never so clearly comprehended as now the great struggle between the powers of greed and exploitation on the one hand and upon the other the rising hosts of industrial freedom and social justice.

        I can see the dawn of the better day for humanity. The people are awakening. In due time they will and must come to their own.

        When the mariner, sailing over tropic seas, looks for relief from his weary watch, he turns his eyes toward the southern cross, burning luridly above the tempest-vexed ocean. As the midnight approaches, the southern cross begins to bend, the whirling worlds change their places, and with starry finger-points the Almighty marks the passage of time upon the dial of the universe, and though no bell may beat the glad tidings, the lookout knows that the midnight is passing and that relief and rest are close at hand. Let the people everywhere take heart of hope, for the cross is bending, the midnight is passing, and joy cometh with the morning."

      • Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works
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        Ironically it’s generally just that felons can’t vote. There is some understandablility for not making felons unable to run for office, in theory it could be used as a political tool.

      • TechyDad@lemmy.world
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        Case in point: The QAnon Shaman is running for a US Senate seat. Seriously. He wants to be a legislator in the building that he was sent to prison for physically attacking.

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        I strongly disagree. Being convicted of a felony is far easier than you may think. It is still a felony in many states to possess weed, to give only one example. It is too susceptible to being used for political persecution.

        In fact, it already is used for that purpose since convicted felons can’t vote in most states. The entire purpose of the war on drugs was political persecution.

        • andros_rex@lemmy.world
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          “You understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin. And then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities, We could arrest their leaders. raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

          -John Ehrlichman, one of Nixon’s advisors

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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        There aren’t laws because we don’t want the government to be able to just imprison any opposition. There is however a Constitutional rule about government officials who lead insurrections. I’m excited for all the Constitutionalists to just ignore that though.

    • FontMasterFlex@lemmy.world
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      you said it yourself. He’s FACING criminal charges. He hasn’t been convicted of anything. Remember in America you’re innocent until PROVEN guilty. You’ve made up your mind about him, but the law hasn’t, yet…

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          IDGAF about Trump to be honest. He’s a crook along with the rest of them. The whole government is as fucked as the fanboys that pant over what side is right.

  • lemmus@lemmy.world
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    He’ll be borrowing “human animals” from the Israeli government soon.