Understanding the Trump-Hitler Comparison
Catherine Rampell of the Washington Post is a political columnist who often shares views that align with Democratic values. Her latest column is particularly important.
What is Godwin’s Law?
Rampell starts by explaining Godwin’s Law. This law says that comparing someone to Hitler can make people stop listening. But she points out:
Problem is, Donald Trump seems intent on making the Hitler comparison happen.
Trump’s Dangerous Rhetoric
Rampell talks about the harmful lies told by Trump and his supporter JD Vance. She says:
It is hard to recall a senator in recent memory who’s done more to endanger the lives of his own constituents than Vance has. I’m not saying he and Trump actually want to start a modern-day pogrom, but if they did, I’m not sure what they’d be doing differently.
The Power of Words
She also explains how dangerous words can be. Even though she condemns violence, she warns about the patterns in Trump’s behavior:
Vance is correct that words have power. If not wielded responsibly, they can lead to political violence — which, to be clear, I wholeheartedly condemn. But one can denounce political violence and still be clear-eyed about the historical patterns that Trump evokes and, therefore, the need to defeat him soundly at the ballot box.
Mike Godwin’s Perspective
Rampell mentions Mike Godwin, who created Godwin’s Law. He said last December that the law doesn’t apply to Trump because:
…he agrees the Hitler analogy is not just apt but necessary….
Godwin wrote:
“Those of us who hope to preserve our democratic institutions need to underscore the resemblance before we enter the twilight of American democracy,” Godwin wrote in December.
Historical Comparisons
Rampell notes that neither she nor Godwin were the first to compare Trump to 20th-century fascists. JD Vance himself called Trump “America’s Hitler” in 2016.
Trump’s Antisemitism
Rampell ends by discussing Trump’s increasing antisemitism. He has accused Jews of voting for the enemy and made derogatory remarks about Doug Emhoff. These actions send a dangerous message to his extreme supporters.
Not the most eloquent closing argument. But then, as Molly Ivins once quipped, it probably sounded better in the original German.