Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has faced sharp criticism for his contentious remarks on immigrants, a criticism likened by some to Nazi ideology, asserts that he has never read Adolf Hitler's manifesto "Mein Kampf." Despite this, he remains unapologetic and reinforces his provocative language.
Speaking at a rally in Iowa on Tuesday, the 77-year-old Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, stated, "It's true that they're destroying the blood of our country. That's what they're doing—they're destroying our country." This echoes similar comments he made over the weekend, prompting widespread condemnation, including from a White House spokesman who accused him of echoing "the grotesque rhetoric of fascists and violent white supremacists."
President Joe Biden, Trump's 2020 election opponent and a potential rival in 2024, previously accused Trump of echoing Hitler when describing political opponents as "vermin." Trump, however, denied any parallels on Tuesday night, asserting that he had never read "Mein Kampf" and suggesting that Hitler used similar language "in a much different way."
In response, a Biden campaign account on social media published a graphic on Wednesday, juxtaposing three comments from Trump with statements from Hitler, emphasizing the perceived similarities. The Biden camp asserted, "This is not a coincidence."
Trump's rhetoric has placed Republican Party leaders in an uncomfortable position, with prominent figures like Senator Mitch McConnell publicly denouncing his remarks. Trump's history of contentious remarks on immigration dates back to his 2015 presidential campaign, where he made controversial statements about Mexican immigrants, alleging they were "bringing crime" and "rapists." His promise to build a border wall aimed at deterring migrants has also been a source of ongoing debate. Despite the construction of portions of the wall, migrant crossings have continued to rise.
