Column: Trump is not literally Hitler

by Jack Zhang

    Trump has been called everything from a fascist to a neo-fascist to a Stalinist for his continued attacks on free speech and journalistic integrity. However, he is none of those things.

    To be sure, he’s an authoritarian with tinpot dictator characteristics, but not a “fascist.” To properly understand Trump today, we must think beyond one-word labels.

    Trump has made no concerted efforts to turn the United States into a fascist state. His hate of the media is a political convenience, not ideologically planned.

    Nazi Germany sought to eliminate “Jewish Bolshevism” from Germany by purging newspapers that did not toe the National Socialist party line. Stalin eradicated capitalist influence from the Soviet Union by clearing out pro-Western publications. Trump calls the media “The Crooked Press”—but that’s it. Trump’s outbursts are instinctive reactions to negative coverage rather than ideologically charged attacks on liberty.

    Even if Trump was a closet fascist, by no means do any of Trump’s antics resemble those of the bona fide fascists and authoritarians of old. Trump’s childish nicknames are a far cry from midnight kidnappings and execution of political dissidents.

    However, it is still important to recognize the threat that Trump poses to the modern media. Even if journalists aren’t disappearing in the night, the credibility of the media relies on public trust. That trust is at an all-time low. We should recognize Trump as an existential threat to journalistic freedoms, but it’s also important to distinguish Trump from fascism.

    By focusing on Trump’s real and present threat to freedom of speech rather than slinging untrue epithets, we can combat the erosion of belief in the political media.