The Rise of Donald Trump and America’s Descent into Fascism
Today I have one purpose, to unite the American people. I would like to do this by addressing the similarities between Donald Trump’s rise to power and Adolf Hitler’s ascent in 1930s Germany. It is a heavy, complex topic that raises valid concerns about how divisive, authoritarian ideologies can gain momentum, and the role that propaganda and fear play in that process. Both figures have relied on populist rhetoric, scapegoating, and appeals to nationalism to galvanize supporters, setting a foundation for a type of influence that has permeated many layers of society, especially through social media. It’s important to approach this conversation with a sense of historical awareness and a clear understanding of how ideology can be shaped, especially among young audiences.
Hitler rose to power in the early 1930s by exploiting widespread fear, economic instability, and resentment after World War I. Through propaganda and control of the media, he directed people’s frustrations toward scapegoats like Jews, intellectuals, and other marginalized groups, creating a climate where “outsiders” were blamed for society’s problems. Trump’s path, though different in many ways, follows a disturbingly similar trajectory. His rhetoric often targets immigrants, religious minorities, and political opponents in a way that fosters division and breeds animosity. While Trump has not instituted any single-party rule or military campaigns akin to Hitler, his words and actions have validated and normalized a climate of suspicion and hostility toward groups that he identifies as “the enemy within”
The term “red pill,” which originated from The Matrix, has been repurposed by online communities to refer to a supposed “awakening” to the “truth” about society and gender relations. Red-pill content creators, often characterized by their views on masculinity, feminism, and political correctness, have managed to reach millions of young men through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter. Unfortunately, some of this content is steeped in misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, and other reactionary views that align with Trump’s polarizing messaging. The ideology vilifies feminism and promotes male supremacy. Trump’s past remarks about women and his framing of masculinity as dominance have fueled narratives that men are somehow losing power to feminists and “woke” culture. This has inspired increased harassment and violence against women, particularly women of color and those involved in social justice activism, as they are seen as threats to traditional gender roles. For many young Gen Z males, these influences have become a form of mentorship and worldview shaping, filling in the gaps left by the collapse of traditional institutions and quality educational sources.
What’s particularly troubling is how the internet’s algorithmic design amplifies this type of content. Various online platforms and their recommendation system, for example, can easily lead users down a rabbit hole of increasingly extreme content. A young person searching for advice on confidence or relationships might quickly encounter material that, instead, indoctrinates them with ideas of female subjugation, xenophobic conspiracy theories, or blanket rejection of LGBTQ+ rights. The MAGA movement has capitalized on this by incorporating red-pill ideology into a broader network of social and political messaging that’s easily digestible, emotionally charged, and often weaponized against marginalized communities.
The MAGA movement’s success in mainstreaming this content has created a climate where hateful and fascistic behavior is presented as a form of “authenticity” or “truth-telling.” Much of this rhetoric builds upon Trump’s own language, which is loaded with dog whistles that seem like simple talking points but reinforce deeper, harmful ideologies. Trump’s long-standing campaign of propaganda, both during his first term of president and after, has painted the media, academia, and political opposition as “enemies of the people.” By undermining trust in these institutions, he’s fostered a kind of ideological insularity among his supporters, creating a space where counter-narratives are dismissed, and conspiracy theories are readily believed.
For Gen Z, a generation raised on the internet, this dynamic is particularly dangerous. It’s easier than ever to live in an echo chamber that feeds one’s biases and shields them from alternative viewpoints. MAGA supporters and red-pill content creators use this to their advantage, curating narratives that villainize progressivism, multiculturalism, and gender inclusivity. This creates a cycle of confirmation bias, where young people are less likely to question or explore diverse perspectives.
This parallels with early fascist tactics that sought to control information and mold public opinion to ensure a homogenous society aligned with a leader’s vision. Just as Hitler’s propaganda emphasized racial purity and fear of outsiders, Trump’s messaging, along with the MAGA movement, paints a picture of America being “taken over” by immigrants, people of color, and those with progressive values.
Trump’s use of propaganda and dog whistles has had a profound impact on some of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in the United States, as well as on individuals and communities that hold explicitly hateful views. His rhetoric, and the ways in which it has been strategically amplified, has created fertile ground for extremist ideologies to thrive, and the effects on marginalized groups are tangible and deeply troubling.
Throughout his political career, Trump has employed language that subtly signals to white nationalist, neo-Nazi, and other extremist groups without outright endorsement, allowing him to appeal to these followers while maintaining deniability. The result is a legitimization of hate and violence against groups already at risk, from immigrants and Muslims to LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. His slogan, “Make America Great Again,” for instance, resonates for some as a call to return to a time when white dominance was unchallenged, using the language of nostalgia to mask reactionary and exclusionary undertones. Dog whistles — coded language or phrases that seem innocuous but carry specific meaning for certain audiences — are a powerful tool in Trump’s messaging. When he talks about protecting “traditional values,” building a border wall, or stopping “radical left” agendas, these statements resonate in specific ways with different groups. For the general public, these phrases might sound like ordinary political rhetoric, but for members of far-right groups, they carry specific, often extremist interpretations. For example, the insistence on the border wall was not just about immigration policy; for many, it became a symbolic stand against diversity and inclusion, reinforcing xenophobic fears of “invasion” and replacement theory — a conspiracy belief that suggests white populations are being deliberately replaced by immigrants and minorities.
These dog whistles have emboldened some of the most dangerous groups in America, including white supremacist organizations, who view Trump as a figurehead for their movement. His reluctance to unequivocally denounce hate groups, or his infamous statement during the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally that there were “very fine people on both sides,” has sent implicit signals that extremist behavior will be tolerated, if not accepted. This has fostered a sense of validation and security among far-right groups, allowing them to become more visible and active. Since Trump’s rise, hate crimes and hate-related violence have seen a notable increase, with people feeling emboldened to act on hateful ideologies they previously might have kept hidden.
For marginalized groups, this normalization of hate translates to an escalation in everyday fear and vulnerability. Undocumented immigrants, for example, have faced increased discrimination and harassment as a result of the “criminal immigrant” narrative that Trump popularized. Hate crimes against Latinos, particularly those perceived as undocumented, surged during Trump’s presidency, largely as a result of his statements on immigration. Muslim Americans have similarly faced a rise in hate crimes, fueled by Trump’s repeated references to Islamic terrorism, his call for a “total and complete shutdown” on Muslim immigration, and his propagation of the notion that Muslim communities are inherently violent or “un-American.”
The LGBTQ+ community has been targeted in Trump’s rhetoric, particularly transgender individuals, as he pursued policies that attempted to exclude transgender people from military service and eliminate protections for them in areas like healthcare and housing. For many far-right groups, the focus on “traditional” gender roles aligns with Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ stances, fueling bigotry and violence toward queer individuals. This rhetoric filters into social media, online forums, and public discourse, leading to a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and increasing the visibility of hate groups who see Trump’s stance as a mandate to “restore” traditional values.
Perhaps most insidiously, Trump’s language of division has polarized the nation so intensely that public trust has eroded, creating a climate where empathy, understanding, and community feel harder to find. Vulnerable communities feel less safe, knowing that public discourse has normalized hate and divisive rhetoric. Minority groups face growing anxieties about their safety, future rights, and place in America. The effects extend beyond individual communities; they seep into national identity, harming democracy and fostering a culture of fear that undermines inclusivity and tolerance.
If we understand the damage this rhetoric has done and take action to counteract it — through education, dialogue, and media literacy — there remains hope that society can resist the normalization of hate and build a foundation that protects and respects all individuals, regardless of the color of their skin, the God they worship, the genitalia in in their pants, or who they choose to love.
It’s crucial that we recognize and resist these patterns, promoting critical thinking and media literacy as safeguards against this cycle of hate and misinformation. We can encourage young people to explore multiple perspectives, question sensationalist narratives, and engage in constructive discussions about social and political issues. If we let history inform us, we can see that authoritarianism begins by eroding trust in societal institutions and scapegoating marginalized groups. Trump’s influence, amplified by red-pill content creators and an echo-chamber of social media, poses real risks of normalizing hate, bigotry, and authoritarian behavior among young people. They are the future of our great nation and if this is allowed to continue I fear there will be no remedy to the consequences to come. Only through sustained, thoughtful conversation and education can we counteract this dangerous trend and build a generation that values empathy, inclusivity, and the democratic principles that truly make societies strong.
In light of the ways hateful rhetoric has woven itself into the American fabric, it is up to each of us to stand up against it. If history teaches us anything, it is that division, intolerance, and bigotry will only deepen if left unchallenged. To build a truly just and democratic society, we must rise above the impulses that pit us against one another. America has always been at its strongest when it embraces diversity, lifts up the marginalized, and strives toward equality and understanding. Now more than ever, we are called to uphold these values — not just with words, but through concrete action.
Let us commit to seeing each other as fellow citizens, not as enemies. Let us actively reject messages that seek to divide us along lines of race, gender, religion, or nationality. The future we want — the one where empathy, tolerance, and freedom thrive — requires all of us to be vigilant and engaged. This means educating ourselves, holding each other accountable, and speaking out against hate whenever we encounter it. It also means listening, truly listening, to those whose lives and struggles may be different from our own.
Each of us has the power to foster change, to break down the walls of prejudice and mistrust, and to build bridges where others would sow discord. When we open our hearts and minds to the experiences of others, we strengthen the bonds that make a diverse society possible. Let us be the generation that learns from the past and moves forward with courage, empathy, and unity.
In the face of hate, we have a choice: to stand silently by or to be agents of change. Let’s choose change. Let’s choose love, equality, and justice for all people, regardless of background. Together, we can create a future that lives up to the best of America’s ideals — a future that we can all be proud of. The power to do this rests not only in our leaders, but in each and every one of us. Let’s be the difference, the voice for peace, and the advocates for a fair and inclusive society. The time to act is now.