Summary

Former President Donald Trump attacked his political opponents in a speech over the weekend that historians say echoed authoritarian leaders. Amna Nawaz discussed concerns about the rhetoric and the future of democracy with New York University historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat.

For a transcript, click here.

News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Warm up questions

• Who is Ruth Ben-Ghiat?
• Where did Donald Trump deliver his speech on Nov. 10?
• When did Trump start ramping up this type of dehumanizing language, according to this piece?
• Why does Ben-Ghiat argue that authoritarian leaders purposely use dehumanizing rhetoric (language) like "vermin" to discuss certain groups of people?
• What historical patterns and tactics did Ben-Ghiat discuss in this interview that past authoritarian leaders have also used? Focus on this section in particular, if helpful:
  • Donald Trump, Former President of the United States (R) and Current U.S. Presidential Candidate: "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, and will do anything possible, they will do anything, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America and to destroy the American dream."

Focus questions

What is the significance of former President Donald Trump's proudly declaring himself an "election denier"?

Media literacy: Where can you find more about Trump's history of ramping up his dehumanizing language?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?

For more

What students can do: Check out this Educator Voice: "Strongman" author Kenneth C. Davis talks with educators about teaching Jan. 6 and how democracies fall. Davis profiles Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Saddam Hussein--all men from modern history, despots who ruled in our own lives or that of our parents or grandparents. Discuss - what elements of Trump's speech are identified as echoing tactics used by authoritarian leaders -- or "strongmen" -- in history?

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