Calls political opponents 'vermin' in Veterans Day speech, echoing fascist rhetoric

On Veterans Day in Claremont, New Hampshire, Trump delivered a speech promising to 'root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country.' The 'vermin' language — historically associated with Nazi and fascist dehumanization of political enemies — prompted widespread condemnation from historians and Holocaust scholars. Trump doubled down the next day, saying critics who compared him to Hitler were 'crazy.'

"We pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections." — Veterans Day rally, Claremont, New Hampshire, November 11, 2023