Trump and Hitler: Frail Leaders, Big Lies, and the Press Under Siege
Donald Trump’s latest tantrum against the press—threatening lawsuits and jail for journalists—is a sad echo of Adolf Hitler's more violent war on media freedom. Trump, like Hitler, cannot abide criticism. Both men, frail and insecure, have decided that the best way to protect their fragile egos is by attacking the very foundation of democracy: a free press.
Trump has launched a series of defamation lawsuits against media outlets he dislikes, including one against ABC over a factual error and another against the Des Moines Register for publishing a poll he didn’t like. It's a classic move for a man who can’t handle the truth: if the press doesn't bow to you, sue them into submission. But Trump's strategy isn't just about seeking justice—it’s about using the legal system to drown out dissent. And with his pick for FBI director promising retribution against journalists, the chilling effect is already here.
Hitler, meanwhile, didn’t bother with lawsuits. He simply seized control. The Reich Press Law of 1933 turned independent journalism into state-approved propaganda, and anyone who resisted was either silenced or executed. No lawsuits needed—just the brute force of a regime that crushed free speech under the weight of its own delusions of grandeur. The Nazis even had their own term for “fake news”: Lügenpresse (lying press), a phrase weaponized to delegitimize dissent and discredit the media entirely.
Both leaders, in their own ways, use the media as a scapegoat for their insecurities. Trump calls the press “fake news” whenever it dares to report facts he dislikes, just as Hitler's Reich Ministry of Propaganda spun every inconvenient truth into a lie. Neither man can stomach the idea that their weak, insecure leadership might actually be questioned.
Tyranny doesn’t spring up overnight; it’s built piece by piece, first with threats and then with silence. Trump and Hitler are cut from the same cloth: insecure, petty men who would rather rule with fear than face the truth. Their war on the press is the first step in eroding democracy itself—and it must be resisted at all costs.
Joe, I read your piece closely, and nowhere did I find any suggestion that perhaps news organizations shouldn't defame and shouldn't make overtly partisan moderation and editing decisions. Perhaps if they would go back to being neutral reporters, they would have less to worry about when the American public disappoints them and votes for the candidate that they disfavor?
One important element of Trump's appeal is that he sees--and calls out--the media behavior that's obvious to Americans who aren't wrapped up in media self-righteousness. A large factor in the Trump vote is disgust with the new media.
Mike, thanks again for taking note and thoughtfully commenting. As I'm sure you know, the media have been held in low esteem for decades, perhaps because of perceived bias or perhaps just because the public is weary of bad news. Academics have long noted that we live in a "post-truth" reality where facts don't matter; instead, only feelings and opinions do. (There are complex reasons for that that go beyond matters of accuracy or bias). Trump's brilliance as a huckster is to capitalize on popular notions in the zeitgeist, including riding the wave of distaste for the press that long preceded him. He knows when things serve him well (just look at how he pushed Covid vaccine efforts until they became unpopular, despite getting vaccinated himself). You say I fail to note the news outlets should not defame, but you may have noticed that I used the word "truth" several times; it goes without saying that they shouldn't defame if one is pursuing and reporting truth. The sad fact is that Trump bristles at fact-checking (whether accurate or not) because he either doesn't understand facts or because he sees everything reported as weaponized against him. For my part, I kinda like facts. Sadly, lots of our countrymen don't, it seems. Though you and I may disagree, I appreciate you for weighing in, nonetheless. A range of views helps readers and me. Thx, and happy holidays to you.
Joe, excellent observations, but I think the real key issue for ABC is that its corporate parent, Disney, has far more financial exposure to the retribution of the Trump kakistocracy. They have large entertainment complexes and other investment interests that are subject to government oversight on the state level in Florida (DeSantistan) and elsewhere and myriad exposures of their corporate investment decisions to the vagaries of federal regulation under Trump henchpeople.
It's no surprise then that they are putting their corporate interests ahead of democratic values. I just hope Disney rewrites all the wonderful patriotic blather from the audio-animatronics presidents in the famous "Hall of the Presidents" attraction, and just replaces it with the Trump robot bleating about "I am your retribution," because that's all that will be left when he's done with us.
Trump and Hitler: Frail Leaders, Big Lies, and the Press Under Siege
Donald Trump’s latest tantrum against the press—threatening lawsuits and jail for journalists—is a sad echo of Adolf Hitler's more violent war on media freedom. Trump, like Hitler, cannot abide criticism. Both men, frail and insecure, have decided that the best way to protect their fragile egos is by attacking the very foundation of democracy: a free press.
Trump has launched a series of defamation lawsuits against media outlets he dislikes, including one against ABC over a factual error and another against the Des Moines Register for publishing a poll he didn’t like. It's a classic move for a man who can’t handle the truth: if the press doesn't bow to you, sue them into submission. But Trump's strategy isn't just about seeking justice—it’s about using the legal system to drown out dissent. And with his pick for FBI director promising retribution against journalists, the chilling effect is already here.
Hitler, meanwhile, didn’t bother with lawsuits. He simply seized control. The Reich Press Law of 1933 turned independent journalism into state-approved propaganda, and anyone who resisted was either silenced or executed. No lawsuits needed—just the brute force of a regime that crushed free speech under the weight of its own delusions of grandeur. The Nazis even had their own term for “fake news”: Lügenpresse (lying press), a phrase weaponized to delegitimize dissent and discredit the media entirely.
Both leaders, in their own ways, use the media as a scapegoat for their insecurities. Trump calls the press “fake news” whenever it dares to report facts he dislikes, just as Hitler's Reich Ministry of Propaganda spun every inconvenient truth into a lie. Neither man can stomach the idea that their weak, insecure leadership might actually be questioned.
Tyranny doesn’t spring up overnight; it’s built piece by piece, first with threats and then with silence. Trump and Hitler are cut from the same cloth: insecure, petty men who would rather rule with fear than face the truth. Their war on the press is the first step in eroding democracy itself—and it must be resisted at all costs.
For a deeper look into how Trump’s tactics echo those of pre-WWII Hitler, read my full article here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-153103008.
It explores their shared strategies of exploiting grievances, manipulating followers, and undermining democracy.
Subscribe for more insights on the dangerous rise of authoritarianism and the fight to protect our freedoms.
Mersault,
Thx for weighing in.
JW
Business or, rather, money doth make cowards of us all.
Too often true, Joe. Thx for weighing in.
It just sorta came into my head.
Joe, I read your piece closely, and nowhere did I find any suggestion that perhaps news organizations shouldn't defame and shouldn't make overtly partisan moderation and editing decisions. Perhaps if they would go back to being neutral reporters, they would have less to worry about when the American public disappoints them and votes for the candidate that they disfavor?
One important element of Trump's appeal is that he sees--and calls out--the media behavior that's obvious to Americans who aren't wrapped up in media self-righteousness. A large factor in the Trump vote is disgust with the new media.
Mike, thanks again for taking note and thoughtfully commenting. As I'm sure you know, the media have been held in low esteem for decades, perhaps because of perceived bias or perhaps just because the public is weary of bad news. Academics have long noted that we live in a "post-truth" reality where facts don't matter; instead, only feelings and opinions do. (There are complex reasons for that that go beyond matters of accuracy or bias). Trump's brilliance as a huckster is to capitalize on popular notions in the zeitgeist, including riding the wave of distaste for the press that long preceded him. He knows when things serve him well (just look at how he pushed Covid vaccine efforts until they became unpopular, despite getting vaccinated himself). You say I fail to note the news outlets should not defame, but you may have noticed that I used the word "truth" several times; it goes without saying that they shouldn't defame if one is pursuing and reporting truth. The sad fact is that Trump bristles at fact-checking (whether accurate or not) because he either doesn't understand facts or because he sees everything reported as weaponized against him. For my part, I kinda like facts. Sadly, lots of our countrymen don't, it seems. Though you and I may disagree, I appreciate you for weighing in, nonetheless. A range of views helps readers and me. Thx, and happy holidays to you.
Joe, excellent observations, but I think the real key issue for ABC is that its corporate parent, Disney, has far more financial exposure to the retribution of the Trump kakistocracy. They have large entertainment complexes and other investment interests that are subject to government oversight on the state level in Florida (DeSantistan) and elsewhere and myriad exposures of their corporate investment decisions to the vagaries of federal regulation under Trump henchpeople.
It's no surprise then that they are putting their corporate interests ahead of democratic values. I just hope Disney rewrites all the wonderful patriotic blather from the audio-animatronics presidents in the famous "Hall of the Presidents" attraction, and just replaces it with the Trump robot bleating about "I am your retribution," because that's all that will be left when he's done with us.
Steve, a very astute comment. Thx.