Last Thursday at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump accepted his role as the Republican Nominee to the election with a rousing speech that was unlike any other election speech he has given. He still had no solid solutions or explanations for all these plans to make America great again, but this time he did a far more job of appealing to his crowd and all on-the-fence Republican voters.
With key phrases such as “People who work hard but no longer have a voice — I am your voice” and “I alone can fix it,” Trump established himself as the sole protector of American people, one of the ‘common voters’ risen high. He stayed away from previous inflammatory, sexist, and racist statements. Abortion was not mentioned at all, and he avoided picking on specific religions and ethnic groups. Instead, Trump opted for broader statements like “I only want to admit individuals into our country who will support our values and love our people.” He championed himself like Napoleon and everyone at the RNC loved it.
Trump didn’t bring up any of his previous statements like the racist comments he made towards Mexicans. Truthfully, he didn’t have to. That’s one of his many statements supporters thought back to when they heard “We will make America safe again.” It was his severe anti-immigration and deportation policies that supporters heard in place of him repeating “law and order."
Trump made them feel safe. His promises made them feel represented. True to Trump style, it was still full of false information and lies marketed as facts, but very few Republicans questioned it and it was met with higher approval than his past speeches.
Except for the absolutely blatant and not entirely inaccurate comparisons to dictators.
“Is this guy running for president or dictator?” voiced former Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders over twitter. “Maybe he doesn’t understand a president has to work with Congress.”
In the past, Trump has stated his given his admiration and support to leaders such as Vladimir Putin, whom he praised for his high favorable rating in Russia and his efficiency in running the country. While saying he disapproves of Putin’s brutal tactics, he did not openly condemn his alleged killings of journalists. Rather, he responded with “I think our country does plenty of killing also.” Trump’s plans for government happen to include tightening libel laws and limiting journalists. Further in line with Russia, Trump went to great lengths to block aid to Ukraine from the GOP platform and has expressed his doubt at keeping with NATO commitments.
Trump has also praised Kim Jong Un in the past for his strong leadership ability and ease at taking over control of North Korea. As a result of these comments, Trump has received both Russia’s and North Korea’s endorsements for presidency.
Terrifyingly, Trump has stated that his first order of business as president would be to purge all of President Obama’s appointed officials and make it easier to fire public workers. This is a reflection of the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service, passed by Adolf Hitler two months after becoming Chancellor of Germany. The comparisons are stacking up, and not in Trump’s favor. One would not have to look very deep into his RNC speech and his campaign to find more than a few similarities to fascist leaders throughout our history.
In the United States, we think we’re immune to this and it’s too far of a stretch to compare our presidential candidate to the likes of Russia. We think we’re invincible, and we think there is not a chance we can turn into North Korea overnight. Our arrogance might spell disaster come November.
Trump wants to be this country’s Napoleon, but instead he’s walking the same path as the likes of both past and modern fascist dictators.
