As I watched the Trump rally in Greenville, it brought to mind films of the Nazi and fascist rallies in Germany and Italy in the 1920s and 1930s. The similarities were both eerie and frightening.

President Donald Trump is apparently operating out of the same playbook as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.

First, define a group to blame for real or imaginary problems. For Hitler, it was the Jews; for Mussolini, it was the communists; and for Trump, it is immigrants and Muslims.

Second, undermine the news media and provide opposing propaganda. Joseph Goebbels was Hitler’s propaganda minister and source of “alternate facts.” Trump has his own propaganda ministers and sources of “alternate facts.”

Third, gain the approval of the church. Hitler had the approval of most of the German church, the exception being Detrick Bonhoeffer and the Free Church. Trump has the approval of much of the American evangelical church.

Fourth, demonize members of the opposition. Trump does this on a regular basis.

Remember, much of what was happening in Germany and Italy was overlooked because unemployment was low and the economy was good.

— Roger Hull

China Grove