6 months ago
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NEW DELHI: A video posted Monday by former US President
Donald Trump
's Truth Social account has ignited controversy with hypothetical headlines about a "
unified reich
" should he win the 2024 presidential election. The language drew fierce criticism from incumbent
Joe Biden
's campaign and sparked widespread outrage.
"What happens after Donald Trump wins? What's next for America?" a voiceover in the 30-second clip asks, while flashing a series of fictitious headlines touting American prosperity, including "Economy booms!" and "Border is closed." However, one headline stands out: "The creation of a unified reich."
Though no direct reference to Nazis is made in the clip, the term "reich" commonly alludes to the Third Reich of
Nazi
Germany, led by Adolf Hitler.
The video includes other references, such as World War I, and the "unified reich" headline appears to nod to the 1871 unification of Germany.
News outlet Politico reported that a Trump staffer did not notice the word "reich" before the video was posted. This oversight has added fuel to the criticism, especially in light of Trump's history of provocative statements and actions.
The post comes at a time when Trump is actively portraying Biden as ineffective in curbing
anti-Semitism
during a period of heightened tensions fueled by the war in Gaza. Trump himself has been criticized for using Nazi-like rhetoric, such as referring to immigrants as "vermin" who are "poisoning the blood" of the United States.
Trump's controversial statements are not new. In 2017, he described some neo-Nazi marchers during the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, as "very fine people." These protesters had chanted "Jews will not replace us." Additionally, Trump has been known to dine with white nationalists at his Florida estate.
The Biden campaign responded swiftly and strongly to the video. "Donald Trump is not playing games. He is telling America exactly what he intends to do if he regains power: rule as a dictator over a 'unified reich'," Biden-Harris spokesperson James Singer said. He continued, "Parroting Hitler's book 'Mein Kampf' while you warn of a bloodbath if you lose is the type of unhinged behavior you get from a guy who knows that democracy continues to reject his extreme vision of chaos, division, and violence."
The video has already generated significant attention and controversy, further solidifying the deep divisions within the American political landscape. As Trump continues to navigate his post-presidential political career, his actions and statements remain a focal point of both support and condemnation.
(With inputs from agencies)
