The former US president’s statements caused outrage and harsh criticism.
Former US President Donald Trump received harsh criticism for calling political opponents “worms”. US President Joe Biden’s campaign team accused the Republican on Monday of “emulating the autocratic language of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini”.
Many American soldiers lost their lives fighting against these two “dictators” in World War II, explained campaign spokesman Ammar Moussa, referring to the fact that Trump made the comments on Saturday and, therefore, on the of US Veterans. The soldiers fought to “defeat the anti-American ideas that Trump now defends.”
White House condemns Trump’s comments
“Donald Trump believes he can win by dividing the country,” Moussa continued, referring to the Republican’s candidacy in the presidential election a year from now. “He is wrong, and how wrong he will find out next November.”
A White House spokesperson also condemned Trump’s “worms” comment. Such a term would have been “terribly recognizable” to soldiers who donned the US uniform in the 1940s, Andrew Bates explained.
Trump gave a speech at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Saturday. He said: “We will eradicate the communists, Marxists, fascists and radical left-wing gangsters who live like vermin on our country’s borders, who lie, steal and cheat in elections and who will do everything in their power – legal or illegal.” – to destroy America and destroy the American dream.”
Trump campaign team counters historical comparisons
The English word “vermin” can be translated as “worm”, “pest”, “parasite” or “pack”. Following Trump’s comments, historians recalled that such terms were used by Nazis in Germany to dehumanize Jews. Trump’s campaign team responded to criticism that those who made such historical comparisons would have their “sad, miserable existence crushed if President Trump returned to the White House.”
Trump, who is known for provocations, has repeatedly caused outrage with his choice of words over the years. The right-wing populist wants to run again in the presidential elections on November 5, 2024 and is the clear favorite in the race for his Republican Party’s candidacy. Critics fear that the 77-year-old could adopt an increasingly authoritarian course if he wins the elections – including in his relations with political opponents. (APA)