Trump s Vermin Speech Sparks Outrage and Fear

Trump's "Vermin" Speech Sparks Outrage and Fear Among Historians and Critics
Story by Zoe Wilson  •
111/14/23

Former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign defended his use of the word “vermin” to describe his political opponents, who he accused of being communists, Marxists, fascists, and radical left thugs. The controversial speech, which he delivered at a rally in Florida on November 12, 2023, has sparked outrage and fear among historians and critics, who said that Trump’s language echoed that of authoritarian dictators like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, who dehumanized their enemies and instilled fear in their followers.


“We will root out the vermin that have infested our country. We will get rid of them. We will purge them from our society. They are not Americans. They are traitors. They are enemies of the people.” Trump said to the cheering crowd, as he claimed that he won the 2020 election and that the current administration was illegitimate and corrupt.

Historians were quick to point out the similarities between Trump’s rhetoric and that of fascist leaders, who used similar terms to justify their atrocities and genocide. “This is the language of fascism. This is the language of genocide. This is the language of the most ghastly kinds of crimes that human beings have ever committed against one another.” Jon Meacham, a presidential historian, said on MSNBC.

“It’s a very dangerous game he’s playing. He’s essentially saying that anyone who disagrees with him is less than human and deserves to be eliminated. That’s how dictators justify their atrocities.” Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, said on CNN.

Trump’s campaign spokesman, Jason Miller, dismissed the criticism as coming from “snowflakes” who suffer from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and vowed to “crush their existence” when Trump returns to the White House in 2024. “The president is speaking metaphorically. He is not literally calling for violence. He is simply expressing his frustration with the radical left agenda that is destroying our country. The real vermin are the snowflakes who can’t handle the truth and suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome. We will crush their existence when we take back the White House in 2024.” Miller said in a statement.

The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, condemned Trump’s speech as “inciting his base to violence again” and “undermining our institutions and our values”. “He’s repeating the same lies that led to the January 6th attack on our democracy. He’s undermining our institutions and our values. He’s a threat to our national security and our public safety.” Psaki said at a press briefing.

Trump’s rhetoric has been linked to the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, where his supporters stormed the building and tried to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. The attack resulted in five deaths and hundreds of injuries. More than 600 people have been arrested and charged in connection with the riot. Trump was impeached for a second time for his role in inciting the violence, but was acquitted by the Senate. He is currently facing several lawsuits and criminal investigations related to his actions before and after the election.

Relevant articles:

– Trump Campaign Doubles Down: It’s Totally Fine That He Called His Enemies ‘Vermin’, Yahoo News, November 13, 2023

– Trump compares political opponents to ‘vermin’ who he will ‘root out,’ alarming historians, ABC News, November 13, 2023

– Trump campaign defends “vermin” speech amid comparisons to fascist leaders, Axios, November 13, 2023

– Historian Meacham links Trump ‘vermin’ comments to ‘most ghastly kinds of crimes’, MSN, November 13, 2023