Hillary Clinton drew unsettling parallels between the Republican candidate Donald Trump's upcoming Madison Square Garden rally and a notorious Nazi gathering in 1939. Speaking to CNN’s Caitlin Collins, Clinton urged Americans to “open your eyes to the danger that this man poses to our country.”
Clinton said that there is a need for vigilance, “It’s not only people like General Kelly warning us,” she said. “It’s scholars who have studied fascism, like Professor Timothy Snyder and Robert Paxton, who conclude that sadly, here in America, the term fits.” She added, “Trump actually reenacting the Madison Square Garden rally in 1939? I don’t think we can ignore it.”
"It may be a leap for some people and a lot of others may think, I don't want to go there. I don't want to say that. But please open your eyes to the danger that this man poses to our country, because I think it is clear and present for anybody paying attention," she said.
Clinton’s comments come amidst growing concerns voiced by various political figures, including Trump's former chief of staff John Kelly and Vice President Kamala Harris, who have talked about Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. Kelly previously noted that Trump expressed admiration for Hitler’s military leadership, a claim that raises alarms about Trump’s vision for the United States. “He would ‘love to’ be a dictator,” Kelly had told the Atlantic.
Trump’s rhetoric and actions have drawn criticism not just from Democrats but also from military leaders and scholars alike. Retired Army General Mark Milley described Trump as “fascist to the core” in a recent interview, while other former officials agree that his behaviour poses a significant threat to democratic principles.
Experts on fascism have noted that Trump’s approach bears similarities to historical fascist leaders, particularly in his penchant for stirring division and undermining democratic institutions. Despite this, some scholars argue that while Trump exhibits authoritarian traits, labelling him a full-blown fascist may be an overreach.
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