Former US President Donald Trump faces scrutiny after a video posted to his social media network included references to a ‘unified Reich’ among hypothetical news headlines if he wins the election in November. The term ‘Reich’ is often associated with Nazi Germany’s Third Reich, sparking concerns about the potential implications of Trump’s language.
The 30-second video, which has since been removed, appeared on Trump’s account while he was on a lunch break from his Manhattan hush money trial. It featured a series of flashing headlines, including ‘Trump wins!!’ and ‘Economy booms!’ Other headlines appeared to be references to World War I, with one headline stating, ‘German industrial strength and production had significantly increased after 1871, driven by the creation of a unified Reich.’
Critics have expressed concerns about the use of the term ‘Reich’ in the video, given its historical association with Nazi Germany. Trump has previously faced criticism for using language and rhetoric associated with Nazi Germany, including referring to immigrants as ‘poisoning the blood of our country’ and calling his opponents ‘vermin.’
The video’s emergence comes amid Trump’s efforts to portray President Joe Biden as soft on antisemitism. However, Trump himself has repeatedly been accused of using antisemitic language and associating with white nationalists.
Trump’s campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has stated that the video was created by a random account online and reposted by a staffer who did not see the word ‘Reich.’ However, the video has raised concerns about Trump’s continued use of divisive and potentially harmful rhetoric.
