On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking his return to the White House after his previous term. For his supporters, it was a moment of triumph. For others, it was an alarming consolidation of power reminiscent of historical authoritarian regimes. The parallels to Adolf Hitler’s rise in Germany during the 1930s are increasingly difficult to ignore.
Adolf Hitler’s first attempt at power, the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, was a failure. He was arrested and imprisoned, but he used that time to refine his approach. Hitler shifted from violent overthrow to manipulating Germany’s democratic systems, exploiting economic despair and public discontent to gain legitimate political power. By 1933, Hitler had secured his appointment as Chancellor, and shortly thereafter, he used the Reichstag Fire to justify the elimination of political opposition and the passage of the Enabling Act, which granted him sweeping legislative authority. What followed was a systematic dismantling of Germany’s democratic institutions and their replacement with loyalists who served only his interests.
Trump’s return to power shares uncomfortable similarities. His first term faced significant resistance from democratic institutions, but his resurgence in 2025 represents a shift. Unlike Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch, Trump’s initial attempt at power was not a complete failure, but his first term revealed limits to his authority. His time out of office, much like Hitler’s imprisonment, allowed him to regroup and reshape his strategy. Now, with control of the House, Senate, and Supreme Court, Trump faces virtually no institutional resistance. His domination extends beyond politics—his influence over platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and now TikTok ensures control over public discourse, transforming once-free spaces into tools for amplifying his agenda and silencing dissent.
One of the most chilling aspects of Trump’s second term is his immigration and other policies, which mirror how Hitler used marginalized groups as scapegoats to consolidate power. Hitler’s treatment of the Jewish population began with discriminatory laws and rhetoric, eventually escalating to systemic persecution and genocide. While Trump’s immigration actions have not yet reached such extremes, the groundwork is unmistakable. Policies targeting undocumented immigrants and refugees are described as measures to “protect national identity,” yet they dehumanize vulnerable populations and fuel divisions. What’s more, these tactics are not limited to immigrants; they increasingly target Americans who are perceived as different or unlike Trump himself—be it due to race, religion, political beliefs, or other characteristics. Such strategies not only consolidate power but also expand the pool of those deemed enemies, gradually including anyone who does not conform or submit to his authority.
Trump’s actions are part of a larger pattern of authoritarian control. Hitler replaced independent thinkers in Germany’s judiciary, police, and media with loyalists, silencing dissent and securing his rule. Trump’s control over major media platforms, combined with a judiciary that now aligns with his agenda, creates a similar chilling effect. Dissenting voices are stifled, opposition is marginalized, and the public sphere becomes dominated by narratives of loyalty and submission. As power consolidates, the definition of “opposition” broadens, targeting not just political rivals but anyone who resists or fails to comply.
What makes this moment particularly grim is the collapse of meaningful resistance. Independent institutions that once served as a counterbalance to unchecked power have been co-opted or neutralized. The courts, once a safeguard against authoritarian overreach, now act in alignment with the new executive branch. Media platforms that could have exposed abuses instead amplify his messaging, making it harder for dissenting voices to break through. Those who do not bend the knee—critics, marginalized groups, and even former supporters—risk being swept into an ever-growing category of “enemies” the moment their loyalty is no longer deemed useful. In such systems, allegiance offers no guarantee of safety; as power consolidates, even the most fervent supporters can find themselves discarded when their voices or votes are no longer needed.
While history is not destiny, the patterns are impossible to ignore. Hitler’s first attempt at power failed, but his persistence and ability to adapt ultimately led to devastating consequences for Germany and the world. His rise was bolstered by a cult-like base of supporters who pledged unwavering loyalty, often ignoring his contradictions and atrocities. Yet, as his power solidified, even some of his former allies found themselves cast aside or branded as enemies when they no longer served his agenda. Trump’s return to power underscores how democratic systems can be undermined from within when power is consolidated, dissent is silenced, and scapegoats are used to distract from the erosion of freedoms. The parallels between the loyalty of Trump’s current base and that of Hitler’s early supporters are striking—both exhibit a fervor that prioritizes allegiance over logic or principle. History warns us that when vigilance falters, democracy is often the first casualty, and the consequences can expand to include anyone—supporter or critic alike—who refuses to conform.
The warnings were always there—clear, unmistakable, and impossible to deny—but too many chose to ignore them, blinded by selfish desires and clinging to the belief that one man could deliver them a better life, with little regard for what their choices would mean for their own children and future generations. They placed their faith in a man who has repeatedly done the worst to people just like them, even to his most loyal followers, all while convincing themselves he would somehow be different for them this time around. Now, as the consequences unfold, many are already beginning to grasp the cost of that choice. For others, regret will come too late, and the price will be one they are powerless to reverse.