Both ABC and NBC on Tuesday hyped the comparison of Donald Trump to the Nazis and Adolf Hitler. Today co-host Savannah Guthrie noted that the businessman has asked crowds to take a loyalty oath. Reporter Peter Alexander reminded, “One prominent Jewish leader comparing the loyalty gesture from the Trump audience to a Nazi salute.” Guthrie pressed, “I wonder how you feel about that comparison and whether it would make you want to perhaps not do it anymore if people feel that way?”
Over on Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos observed, “Meantime the number of prominent people comparing you to Adolf Hitler is actually growing by the day. You saw over the weekend Louie C.K. Also, Glenn Beck, he did that this week.” Stephanopoulos added, “I can't remember that kind of comparison being used against any other presidential candidate. Does it suggest to you should tone down your rhetoric and your tactics?”
In December, CNN, ABC and CBS touted the Philadelphia Daily News likening Trump to Hitler.
In contrast, when Tea Party members compared Obama to Hitler, an angry CNN reporter deemed it "offensive." Over on MSNBC, Ed Schultz railed against a Republican House member who did the same to Obama: “This congressman should have better judgment than to associate any president of the United States in the same sentence or same vein or in any comparison whatsoever with Adolf Hitler.”
Transcripts of the two March 8 questions can be found below:
Today
3/8/16
7:08am ETSAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Mr. Trump, I'd like to ask you about something you've been doing recently at your rallies, which is having your supporters raise their right hand and say, “I pledge to vote for Donald Trump.” Now, as you know, a still image of that at your rallies have gone around the internet and people have been disturbed by the image. In fact, Abe Foxman, who is a a Holocaust survivor says it reminds him of the Nazi salute. I wonder how you feel about that comparison and whether it would make you want to perhaps not do it anymore if people feel that way.
GMA
3/8/16
7:14am ETSTEPHANOPOULOS: Meantime the number of prominent people comparing you to Adolf Hitler is actually growing by the day. You saw over the weekend Louie C.K. Also, Glenn Beck, he did that this week. And he called you a dangerous man and yesterday the Mexican president said you're using the same language that ushered in Hitler and Mussolini. I can't remember that kind of comparison being used against any other presidential candidate. Does it suggest to you should tone down your rhetoric and your tactics?
TRUMP: Well, maybe so but I mean, look, I have a tremendous following. We want to make America great again. It's a strong following. I don't know about the Hitler comparison. I hadn't heard that, but it's a terrible comparison. I'm not happy about that, certainly. I don't want that comparison but, you know, we have to be strong and we have to be vigilant and people agree with that.
