American historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat has raised alarm over what she describes as a dangerous exploitation of authoritarian tactics by former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. In a video shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, Ben-Ghiat highlights how these tactics are allegedly used to sway public opinion and undermine democratic values.
In her video, Ben-Ghiat addressed the audience with a stern warning: “Today, I want to talk about one of the biggest scams of authoritarianism. When corrupt elites convince people to act against their interests, that’s what authoritarianism is.”
She elaborated on the methods employed by Trump and his allies, pointing out that they use misleading statistics and negative messaging to paint a dire picture of America. “They are convincing people using false statistics on crime and the economy that America is failing,” Ben-Ghiat said. “Remember Trump said years ago, the American dream is dead.”
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Ben-Ghiat argues that this rhetoric is designed to discredit democracy and promote the idea that only strong, authoritative figures like Trump can resolve the nation’s problems. “The ultimate goal is to convince people that democracy is a failed system,” she explained. “What can fix their problems is strong men rule with Trump at the head.”
She also warned about the broader consequences of such manipulation. “Instead of working together to solve our problems, there’s scapegoating, polarization, and despair,” Ben-Ghiat said. “The more despondent people become, the more they are susceptible to believing in conspiracy theories and accepting authoritarian solutions.”
The historian’s remarks emphasize the need for critical thinking and vigilance in the face of such tactics. “Be very wary when you hear slogans designed to discredit democracy and convince people that America is failing,” she cautioned.
Ben-Ghiat’s video has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many viewers expressing concern about the implications of these authoritarian strategies for American democracy. Her analysis serves as a call to reevaluate the tactics used to shape political narratives and influence public perception in today’s political landscape.
As the debate continues, Ben-Ghiat’s insights remain a pivotal part of the conversation about the intersection of politics and authoritarianism in contemporary society.
