By Richard K. Munro

Does Trump have things in common with Hitler or Mussolini or Franco?

The historian recognizes common elements.

1) nationalist

There is no question Trump appeals to patriotic and nationalist feelings. However, his nationalism is not of the Blood and Soil variety in this he is more like Franco who was not a virulent antisemite people say Trump is anti-immigrant but many Immigrants support him and he welcomes immigrants to America as long as the process is orderly and legal and does not endanger America’s domestic tranquility.

What is Trump’s religion? That I do not know it often seems he does not have one. But unlike Hitler or Stalin Trump is not virulently atheistic and anti Religion. Many Evangelical Protestants, Amish, Mormons, Catholics even Jews, and some Muslims support Trump as a defender of First Amendment rights and traditional family mores. Also unlike Hitler Trump has many children and grandchildren (some of whom are Jewish) In addition his running mate has mixed-race children. So Trump’s movement is not virulently anti-Semitic nor narrowly White Supremacist.

2) Populism.

Like Hitler Trump is in a way a mass media creation. Hitler we forget was a celebrity who received as much fan mail as a Hollywood star. I grew up in New York and it is remarkable that i have known about Trump for over 50 or 60 years. So he had movie cameos, and was on talk shows and on TV. He was a TV star. I am not a Trump cultist but he has his fanatically loyal followers who seem to dismiss any behavior or rhetoric or transgressions. This populist cult of personality strain he seems to have in common with strong men and yes authoritarian dictators. So I do not dismiss concerns that Trump could become an authoritarian dictator.

3) Personality.

However, Trump is an American not a German or Russian. He is proud and vain. He wants to be famous and successful as an American president. He wants to have a legacy. I do not know Trump. All I know is what I read in the newspapers and interviews with people i have met. The impression I have is of a mercurial and cunning deal maker who is somewhat shallow and not deeply read. But people say in person he is funny, humane, and friendly so he is not a psychopath like Hitler or Stalin. Trump is imperfect but he is not an Orange Himmler or an Orange Hitler. That seems like wild hyperbole. Let’s not forget Trump ALREADY was president for four years and did not lock Hillary up or establish concentration camps. He did not persecute Jews. In fact, one could argue that Trump has been the most pro-Israel president in history.

But history will be the final judge.

I hope for America’s sake Trump will be like Noah a good man in his time.

I think Trump will try his best to be a good, wise, and humane president. I wish him luck and success for the sake of America, Israel, and the world.