𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗞 𝗧𝗥𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗡𝗔𝗭𝗜𝗦𝗠?????? "𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧."

From the editor: Even as a self-described backsliding agnostic, my articles frequently contain the admonition from the historical Jesus in Saint Matthew 24:15,16 to "Let the reader use discernment."

In other words, I'm suggesting that my adult readers can form their own conclusions as I share the bare bones of a discussion or controversy with little side commentary:

Upper left: Stewart Rhodes, leader of the "Proud Boys," Upper right: Neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes, Bottom photo: Elon Musk giving a Nazi-style salute

There's been considerable discussion about some arm gestures of Trump's new confidant, Elon Musk, that appear to be Nazi salutes.  

The Anti-Defamation League has weighed in, trying to calm the issue:  "It seems Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute," the group stated.

A self-professed, Hitler-loving white nationalist, Nick Fuentes, who dined with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, disagrees:  "That was a straight up like 'Seig Heil,' like loving Hitler energy," stated Fuentes.

Fuentes continued: “And then the like straight up like, that was a serious Roman. It wasn’t even like, like a subtle– like a wave. Like one of these like a Laura Ingraham. Remember that one.”

He then raised his arm in demonstration and added, “Laura Ingraham did that. . . . That was that was like a straight up with intensity Roman salute.”

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and fascism at New York University, took to X to say that the gesture was a “Nazi salute – and a very belligerent one too”.

The fact that Elon Musk allows antisemitic content on X must be taken into account in interpreting the gesture, stresses Mediapart:

“Musk is clearly obsessed with the Nazi regime and seems to be consumed by antisemitism. His takeover of X in 2022 coincided with an explosion of antisemitic statements on the network and the spread of conspiracy theories against Jews, without him lifting a finger to curb this outburst of hatred. Quite the contrary, in fact. Musk takes full responsibility for bringing back to his network figures who were banned for their racist views, including YouTuber Nick Fuentes, who openly describes himself as an antisemite and supremacist.”

Interestingly, Trump's first wife, Ivana Trump, claims that he was fascinated with Hitler, keeping a copy of Hitler's speeches on his nightstand.

While he denies it now, Trump has told others that he read Hitler's most famous literary work, Mein Kamf, which means "The Big Lie." 

Hitler used lies to stay in power.  He lied about using violence, lied about his own past, lied to world leaders about his intentions, lied about what he called the "Global Jewish Conspiracy."

Lügenpresse is German for the "lying press," a term Hitler used to describe the media of his day.  Sound familiar?  Trump calls "them" the "fake news."  Same difference.  Same technique used to weaken reporting efforts.

"Look at them back there," Trump tells his MAGA crowd while pointing to the back of the hall.  

"They will go home and write lies.  They're fake news."

Rhodes — whose 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy was commuted by the president as one of his first official actions in the Oval Office — met with at least one member of Congress on Wednesday.

The Oath Keepers founder met with Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida to lobby for a pardon for fellow Oath Keeper and January 6 rioter Jeremy Brown, who was sentenced to seven years in prison on weapons charges.

The man also pictured in the collage above, Stewart Rhodes, wearing a navy Trump 2020 hat, the leader of the "Proud Boys, was joined recently on the Hill by far-right activist Ivan Raiklin, who filmed a series of interactions with reporters as they toured the Capitol. Rhodes repeated bogus claims about the 2020 election, downplayed the mob’s attacks, and proclaimed his innocence.

“What did I do on January 6 that caused the harm?” Rhodes said at one point. “I didn’t direct my guys to go inside. They did that all on their own. Where is my culpability?”

He also said he regrets saying he wanted to “f***ing hang” then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“I regret that. I was drunk and pissed off,” he said.

Upper left: White Supremacists at Charlotteville, marching, carrying torches while shouting "Jews will not replace us,""blood and soil,""Russia is our friend."  Upper right, Neo-Nazi group, Bottom photo: The hanging gallow Trump supporters had ready for Vice President Mike Pence

While Trump and Musk have been giving off some obvious Nazi vibes, please do your own research.  While defending a democracy from external threats is very difficult, internal threats are every bit as dangerous.