The Mystifying Influence of Propaganda

The psychological effect of propaganda has been studied extensively in the last century. After Hitler took control of Germany in the 1930s, it was very important to understand how it happened so that we do not let it happen again. America did nothing to safeguard citizens from propaganda. We simply thought that this could not happen here. Yet - here we are. The propaganda machine that Trump created rivals that of Hitler. He would not have been elected President without propaganda.

It happened quickly - during the 2016 campaign run. Before the Republican nomination was given to Trump, the other candidates treated him and spoke about him truthfully. Most didn't even take him seriously - after all, how could America elect a person with so little respect for anyone but himself? After the nomination things changed. He was the Republican nominee. Propaganda skyrocketed. Fox News, Pod Casts, Social Networks, online chats et al were happy to denigrate Hilary Clinton and democrats with lies, half truths and innuendo while elevating Trump. It's been proven that Russia implemented a comprehensive propaganda plan through social networks to manipulate people with misinformation and fabricated stories to secure a Trump victory.

Through the efforts of his propaganda network as mentioned above, Trump was able sway enough of America to become President. Once in office, Trump controlled most of the propaganda. He counts on propaganda for the support of his followers. A couple of Trump quotes “As long as you keep repeating something, it doesn't matter what you say.” and "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?"

That's the power of propaganda. Trump tells his followers that he lies and thinks his followers would vote for him even if he were a murderer. Hitler had the same effect on Germany.

The Hard Truth About Propaganda

Many comparisons have been made between Trump and Hitler. His supporters either don’t see it or are fine with it. Trump is in awe of Hitlers' use of propaganda and used it as a blueprint to become President. What did Hitler think about propaganda? If you are a Trump follower, this will be tough to read. Our country deserves protection from this deceitful practice.

It was in 1924 that Adolf Hitler explained (in Mein Kampf) the power of propaganda. Hitler wrote, propaganda is not meant to be used on scientifically trained individuals because, as propaganda is not logical, rational, or scientific, the intellectuals will not be swayed by it. Rather, he said, propaganda is meant for the “masses” who cannot comprehend logic and intellect but can be convinced of anything if their emotions are manipulated. Hitler further stated that since the masses have little intelligence and are quite forgetful, the key to propaganda is to keep repeating the same ideas over and over again until they are understood by and engraved on the mind of even the slowest person. Hitler used propaganda to create and maintain hatred of Jews. Joseph Goebbels (Hitlers' Minister of Propaganda) himself stated the fundamental idea behind the Nazis’ propaganda machine: “the great mass of people in the simplicity of their hearts are more easily taken in by a big lie than a little one.” Hitler wrote those words for everyone to see and still rose to power. Justifying his need to kill and conquer with the propaganda he created.

Hmmm...A Big Lie.

When has the truth or fact ever meant so little? Our lawmakers never had the need to protect the constitution from propaganda. We’ve never had a political figure that systematically used propaganda to achieve success like Trump. The masses have been easily fooled, just as he and Hitler predicted. Trumps words to live by...

“Propaganda works best when those who are being manipulated are confident they are acting on their own free will.” – Joseph Goebbels (Minister of Propaganda for Hitler)

“By the skillful and sustained use of propaganda, one can make people see even heaven as hell or an extremely wretched life as paradise.– Adolph Hitler

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed. – Adolph Hitler

Is this not the definition of Fascism?

Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, and ultra nationalist political ideology that places the perceived interest of the nation or race above individual rights. Trump's followers don't understand that he is a fascist. It is clear based on the meaning of fascism.

Core Characteristics

• Extreme Nationalism: Promotes the supremacy of a specific nation, ethnic group, or race, often built on a myth of national decline and the promise of a rebirth or "golden age".
  
  
• Dictatorial Rule & Autocracy: Centered around a charismatic single leader and a centralized autocratic or totalitarian government that demands total submission to the state.
  
• Rejection of Democracy and Liberalism: Opposes pluralism, multi-party elections, free speech, independent courts, and individual civil liberties, viewing them as weak or divisive.
  
  
• Militarism and Paramilitarism: Normalizes war, physical force, and violence as tools for national revitalization, often using private militias or police power to crush political opponents.
  
• Suppression of Opposition: Uses heavy censorship, state propaganda, and the criminalization or physical destruction of political dissent (such as targeting socialists, communists, and minority groups).
  
  

How can they ignore the truth about Trump?

Although the list of misdeeds that Trump has left in his wake is longer than any business person or politician in the history of country, below are a few topics his supporters think (or thought) his greatest strengths:

• TrumpTaj Mahal (1991): Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy less than a year after opening due to massive construction debt.
• Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino (1992): Filed for bankruptcy as part of heavy debt restructuring in Atlantic City.
• The Plaza Hotel (1992): Trump's New York hotel venture missed profit goals, leading to a bankruptcy filing and loss of majority ownership.
• Trump Castle Hotel and Casino (1992): Also succumbed to debt pressures and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts / Trump Entertainment Resorts (2004 & 2009): Later corporate groupings of his casino assets filed for bankruptcy twice more as revenues declined.

• Trump Shuttle (1989–1992): Bought with borrowed money, the luxury airline never turned a profit and was taken over by creditors.
• Trump University (2005–2011): Closed down following multiple state investigations and class-action lawsuits over deceptive marketing.
• Trump Mortgage (2006–2008): Launched right before the housing crash and folded in less than two years.
• Trump Vodka (2006–2011): Discontinued after failing to reach minimum sales quotas required by distribution agreements.
• Trump Steaks (2007): Sold exclusively through The Sharper Image and QVC, but discontinued quickly due to poor sales.
• GoTrump.com (2006–2007): An online travel booking site that shut down after roughly a year.
• Trump Ice (2003–2010): Bottled water brand that quietly faded out of general distribution.
• Trump: The Game (1989): A board game made by Milton Bradley that sold poorly and was pulled from shelves.
• Tour de Trump (1989–1990): A multi-stage bicycle race modeled after the Tour de France that lasted only two years.