Gaslighting is boldfaced lying that is used to brainwash people. The fascists in the White House and in Congress are diabolically brilliant at Gaslighting. The fascists do not respect the American people. The fascists are telling people not to trust what they see with their own eyes. Fascists use gaslighting to control people because they are scared that a mob could rise up against them to take away their power.
The fascists use gaslighting to make the American people go to war against each other, instead of seeing what the fascists are doing to America. Let’s compare the gaslighting tactics used by three fascist leaders: Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
Fascists Rise to Power during times of major political and economic upheaval.
- Adolf Hitler rose to power after Germany’s defeat in World War I, when it was a nation strapped with monstrous debt, runaway inflation and a failing economy.
- Vladimir Putin rose to power after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when chaos threatened the interests of post-Soviet billionaires.
- Donald Trump rose to power when there was need for a new world order to address changes in technology, jobs, and global warming. Addressing climate change threatens the interests of many billionaire oligarchs.
Fascists who rise to power are financially backed by billionaire oligarchs. Whether a leader rises to power by legitimate or illicit methods, it takes a lot of money to rise to authoritarian leadership.
- Adolf Hitler was backed by wealthy German industrialists and oligarchs.
- Vladimir Putin was backed by Russian oligarchs.
- Donald Trump is backed by billionaire oligarchs, including the Koch Brothers, Robert Mercer, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, Stephen Schwarzman, George Zoley, and many others.
Fascists do not address the real problems. Solving real problems means focusing on the needs of the American people by building trust, cooperation, collaboration and mutual respect. Focusing on real problems undermines the interests of fascist oligarchs and their ability to stay in power.
- Adolf Hitler refused to address the core economic problems that beset Germany after losing World War I.
- Vladimir Putin refused to address the needs of the Ukraine to become a free and sovereign nation, independent from Russia.
- Donald Trump refuses to address the real needs of America, which include acknowledging climate change and preparing American workers for the jobs of the future.
Fascists incite fear and hate. Instead of focusing on real problems, fascists fabricate huge scapegoats and blame them for the problems.
- Adolf Hitler blamed Germany’s economic woes on the West, the Bolsheviks, and the Jews.
- Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine’s desire for independence on the West, especially the United States and the European Union.
- Donald Trump blames the changing job market and the loss of manufacturing on the Mexicans and the European Union.
Fascists identify specific scapegoats and demonize minorities. By demonizing minorities, attention is diverted from the real problems and blamed completely on these scapegoats.
- Adolf Hitler demonized Jews, Bolsheviks, Catholics and Intellectuals.
- Vladimir Putin demonizes Jews, Gays, Ukrainians, the West and the European Union.
- Donald Trump demonizes people of color, especially Mexicans, Somalis & Muslims, and Women, Liberals and Democrats.
Fascist leaders believe in nationalism. A fascist leadership believes in nationalism at all costs, no due process, and the rule of law is no longer valid.
- Adolf Hitler invaded Poland and Russia.
- Vladimir Putin invaded the Ukraine.
- Donald Trump undercuts our European allies and invaded Venezuela.
Fascists are never wrong, and always innocent of any wrongdoing. Fascists never apologize for their wrongdoing, even when caught red-handed. If you question a fascist’s wrongful action, you will be attacked, vilified, exiled, and, in some cases, be put to death.
- Adolf Hitler denied any knowledge of the Holocaust when questioned by his personal lawyer, Hans Frank.
- Vladimir Putin denied the 2014 invasion of the Ukraine.
- Donald Trump denies…. everything, including the murder of Renee Good.
Fascists incite fear and hatred with constant gaslighting. Fascists accuse their enemies of the misconduct and crimes that they themselves have committed. For example, Trump incited mob violence on January 6. Money from oligarchs is used to buy advertising on Radio, TV, and in Newspapers and magazines, and on Social Media through A-I, algorithms (bots, memes and trolls) to spread malicious gossip and bold-faced lies.
Trump embodies the two main elements of fascism: extreme authoritarianism, and forcible suppression of any opposition. Since Trump has taken office, his rhetoric is dominated by inciting fear and hatred to further his dictatorial power and by using bold-faced lying to undermine his opposition. Americans must take back America and stand up #ForGood.