Former President Donald Trump’s recent comments at a Veterans Day rally in Claremont, New Hampshire, where he referred to the left as “vermin,” have sparked widespread concern and condemnation. This alarming language, reminiscent of some of history’s most notorious dictators, including Adolf Hitler, serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous potential of dehumanizing rhetoric in political discourse.
During the rally, Trump promised to “root out” what he described as “communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country.” His words were met with immediate backlash, with experts in fascism, authoritarianism, and propaganda highlighting the historical implications of such language. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian at New York University, emphasized that terms like “vermin” were effectively used by Hitler and Mussolini to dehumanize people and incite violence.
Nazi propaganda, as documented by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, frequently portrayed Jewish people and political opponents as sub-human entities like “vermin” or “parasites,” a tactic known to pave the way for genocide. This dehumanization process is a well-established precursor to some of the most heinous crimes against humanity.
In response to criticism, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the objections, accusing critics of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and warning that their “sad, miserable existence” would be crushed should Trump return to the White House.
This is not the first instance of Trump using dehumanizing language. He has previously referred to undocumented immigrants as “animals” and a former White House aide as a “dog.” However, the use of “vermin” in his recent address is particularly troubling due to its historical connotations.
Brian Klaas, a political scientist at University College London, expressed concerns on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” about the United States sleepwalking towards authoritarianism. Jon Meacham, a presidential biographer, and historian, and Jason Stanley, a Yale philosopher studying fascism and propaganda, echoed these worries, with Stanley drawing direct parallels between Trump’s remarks and Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf.’
Amidst a climate of rising antisemitism in the U.S., especially in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Trump’s language has become a significant point of contention. Yet, many of his supporters and key Republican figures refuse to condemn his words. Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee Chair, sidestepped a direct condemnation when questioned on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” indicating a reluctance within the party to challenge Trump’s rhetoric.
As the potential Republican presidential nominee, Trump’s language and its historical echoes present a disturbing trend in political discourse, raising the alarm about the direction of U.S. politics and the imperative need for responsible and respectful communication from our leaders.
