It is the kind of headline that makes you do a double-take. People have been asking does Trump like Hitler for years now, and honestly, the answer is a lot messier than a simple "yes" or "no." It isn't just about internet trolls or heated cable news debates anymore. We are talking about actual accounts from the people who sat in the Oval Office with him.
John Kelly, a retired Marine general and Trump’s longest-serving Chief of Staff, went on the record with some pretty wild claims. He told The New York Times and The Atlantic that Trump once remarked, "Hitler did some good things, too." Imagine being a four-star general and hearing your boss say that. Kelly said he had to explain that, no, Hitler didn’t really do "good things," but the comment supposedly came up more than once.
The Infamous General Comment
One of the biggest stories involves Trump’s frustration with his own top brass. He reportedly told Kelly, "I need the kind of generals that Hitler had."
Kelly, probably thinking there was a misunderstanding, asked if he meant Bismarck’s generals. You know, the ones from the 19th century?
"No," Trump allegedly replied. "Hitler’s generals."
The core of the issue for Trump wasn't necessarily the ideology. It was the loyalty. He reportedly admired the idea of a military that followed orders without questioning the law or the Constitution. He wanted that "Fuhrerprinzip" vibe—the leader’s word is law.
In reality, Hitler’s generals actually tried to kill him several times. Most famously with a briefcase bomb in 1944. Kelly tried to point this out, noting that Erwin Rommel—the famous "Desert Fox"—was forced to commit suicide after a plot against Hitler. Trump apparently didn't care much for that history lesson.
Does Trump Like Hitler’s Rhetoric?
Even if you don't believe the "behind closed doors" stories, you can't ignore the public speeches. Lately, Trump has been using words that sound eerily familiar to anyone who has studied the 1930s.
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- He called his political opponents "vermin." * He said immigrants are "poisoning the blood of our country."
- He talked about a "unified reich" in a social media video (though his team deleted it and blamed a staffer).
Historians like Anne Applebaum and Ruth Ben-Ghiat have been ringing the alarm bells. They argue that using words like "vermin" is a specific tactic called dehumanization. If you call a human a bug or a disease, it becomes much easier to justify "getting rid" of them. Hitler used the exact same "blood poisoning" line in Mein Kampf when talking about the "purity" of the Aryan race.
Trump says he never read Mein Kampf. He told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, "I know nothing about Hitler." He insists his "poisoning the blood" comment has nothing to do with race and everything to do with the border.
The Book on the Nightstand
There is an old story from a 1990 Vanity Fair interview with Ivana Trump. She claimed Donald kept a book of Hitler’s speeches, My New Order, in a cabinet by his bed.
When asked about it back then, Trump said, "If I had these speeches, and I am not saying that I do, I would never read them."
Later, a friend named Marty Davis confirmed he gave Trump the book. But Davis clarified he wasn't a Nazi; he just thought the history was interesting.
It's one of those details that sticks. Did he read it? Who knows. But the fact that he’s been swatting away these comparisons for thirty years is telling.
Why Do People Support Him Anyway?
If the Hitler comparisons are so "obvious" to his critics, why doesn't it hurt him with his base?
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Honestly, a lot of his supporters just don't buy it. They see it as "Trump being Trump." To them, he's a guy who talks tough and uses hyperbole to get a point across. They see the media's focus on Hitler as "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
There is also a huge gap in how people see the history. A YouGov poll found that about 20% of Americans think Trump sees Hitler as "completely bad." That leaves a lot of people who are either unsure or think the comparison is just a political weapon used by the Left.
What Real Experts Are Saying
General Mark Milley, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, didn't hold back in Bob Woodward’s book War. He called Trump "fascist to the core."
That is a heavy word.
Fascism isn't just "being mean." It's a specific political system:
- A dictatorial leader. 2. Forcible suppression of opposition. 3. Strong regimentation of society. [Image comparing democratic governance vs authoritarian power structures]
Milley and Kelly both seem convinced that Trump fits the bill. They witnessed him fuming over legal constraints. They saw him treat the Department of Justice like a personal law firm.
But then you have other experts who say the comparison is lazy. Trump didn't start a paramilitary wing like the Brownshirts. He didn't abolish elections while in power. He worked (mostly) within the system, even if he complained about it the whole time.
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Separating Fact from Fear
Look, the question of does Trump like Hitler isn't going to be settled on a late-night talk show. It's about a pattern of behavior.
On one hand, you have a man who clearly admires "strongmen." He has praised Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Viktor Orbán. He likes the idea of a leader who can just "make things happen" without a pesky Congress or a "deep state" getting in the way.
On the other hand, Trump is a creature of American celebrity culture. His "fascism," if you want to call it that, is wrapped in MAGA hats and reality TV flair.
Actionable Insights for Moving Forward
If you're trying to make sense of this for yourself or a dinner party debate, here is how to handle the "Hitler" topic without losing your mind:
- Check the source of the quotes. Most of the "Hitler" allegations come from John Kelly and Mark Milley. These aren't "anonymous sources"—they are people who were in the room. Read their full interviews to get the context.
- Look at the rhetoric vs. the record. Trump says things like "dictator for a day," but his supporters argue his actual policies (tax cuts, judges) were standard Republican fare. Distinguish between what he says and what he does.
- Study the definitions. Don't just throw around the word "fascist." Look up the 14 characteristics of fascism (by Lawrence Britt) and see which ones actually apply to the current political climate.
- Follow the historians. Instead of pundits, read people like Timothy Snyder (author of On Tyranny). They provide the historical guardrails that help explain why certain words matter more than others.
The conversation about Trump and Hitler isn't going away. Whether he's a student of history or just a guy who likes the idea of absolute loyalty, the parallels in his language are a matter of public record.
Understand the specific language being used. When a politician uses words like "vermin" or "blood poisoning," they are tapping into a very specific, very dark part of history. Whether it's intentional or not, the impact on the public discourse is the same. Keep an eye on the upcoming rallies and the official policy platforms—that's where the real answers usually hide.