Nazi Symbolism
There is a disturbing presence of Nazi symbolism and references within the Trump administration and its broader political ecosystem. Donald Trump has made several eyebrow-raising decisions and comments that echo fascist aesthetics and ideology, including erecting 88-foot flagpoles, a number associated with neo-Nazi code for "Heil Hitler", and controversially tearing down parts of the historic White House Rose Garden. He has openly expressed admiration for authoritarian military leadership, once stating he wanted generals like "the German generals" under Hitler. Ivana Trump, his late ex-wife, revealed that Trump kept a book of Hitler’s speeches by his bedside, further fueling concerns about his ideological leanings. Beyond Trump himself, far-right imagery has also surfaced at political events aligned with him, most notably when the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) used a stage resembling the Othala rune, a symbol appropriated by Nazis to represent bloodline and homeland, which has since become a fixture in white supremacist iconography.
Trump installs 88 foot flagpoles, replaces MLK Bust with Winston Churchill.
Former President Donald Trump installed two new 88-foot-tall flagpoles on the White House grounds—one on the north lawn and one on the south lawn—saying they were “a gift” from him and cost about $50,000 each, paid out of his own pocket. The installations, which began on June 18, were marked by a ceremonial flag-raising attended by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Trump claimed the flagpoles were “desperately needed” and something “missing” from the White House.
In addition to the flagpoles, the Trump White House also recently replaced a bust of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. with one of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the Oval Office. Trump further hinted he wants to build a new ballroom at the White House. When asked why he hadn’t installed the flagpoles earlier, Trump said media distractions during his first term prevented it, adding: “I was the hunted. And now I’m the hunter.”
Trump mentioned he wants Generals like Hitler had, and said Hitler did some good things.
Former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, a retired Marine general, warned that Donald Trump exhibits fascist tendencies and once praised Adolf Hitler, saying he “did some good things.” In interviews with The New York Times and The Atlantic, Kelly recalled Trump expressing admiration for Hitler’s generals, explicitly confirming, “Yeah, yeah, Hitler’s generals,” when asked if that’s who he meant.
Kelly stated that Trump brought up Hitler’s supposed accomplishments more than once, and that he tried to shut down the comments by insisting that “nothing [Hitler] did… was good.” Kelly also said Trump wanted to rule like a dictator, resisting any constraints on his power, and fitting the textbook definition of a fascist: authoritarian, ultranationalist, and dictatorial.
The Trump campaign denied the claims, calling them fabricated. However, Kelly joins other high-ranking former officials—like Gen. Mark Milley and Gen. Jim Mattis—who have publicly described Trump as authoritarian and dangerous.
Ivana Trump - Donald kept Hitler speeches next to his bed.
My New Order
A resurfaced Vanity Fair interview from 1990 reveals that Ivana Trump, Donald Trump’s late ex-wife, claimed he kept a book of Adolf Hitler’s speeches, My New Order, in a cabinet by his bed. The article, written by Marie Brenner, recounts Ivana telling her lawyer that Trump read the book occasionally. When questioned, Trump initially denied reading it, then said it was a gift from a Jewish friend (who later clarified he wasn’t Jewish and that the book was My New Order, not Mein Kampf).
Poisoning the blood of our country
The resurfacing comes amid backlash to Trump’s recent anti-immigrant remarks in New Hampshire, where he said immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country”—a phrase heavily associated with Nazi ideology. Critics, including historians and political opponents, have accused Trump of echoing fascist and Nazi rhetoric, citing his use of terms like “vermin” and admiration for authoritarianism.
Trump said Germany being liberated from Nazis was “Not a Great Day” in a meeting with the German chancellor.
"This was not a great day!"
During a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Donald Trump appeared confused about the significance of D-Day, the Allied invasion that marked the beginning of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. When Merz referenced the event, Trump responded, “This was not a great day!” and laughed. Merz corrected him, explaining it was the day Germany was liberated from Nazi dictatorship. Trump then agreed, saying, “That’s true.”
Hitler "did some good things."
Trump’s remark has drawn criticism for reflecting a poor understanding of history and downplaying the significance of the fight against the Nazi regime. It follows previous controversial comments in which Trump suggested Nazi soldiers treated Jewish prisoners with “love” and claimed Hitler “did some good things.”
Ripping up the Rose Garden - a sign of fascist architecture.
Redesign of the Rose Garden
In August 2020, First Lady Melania Trump unveiled a redesign of the White House Rose Garden, claiming it restored the garden to its original form under President John F. Kennedy and designer Rachel "Bunny" Mellon. However, a closer look at Mellon's original design and public statements shows the Trump redesign significantly diverged from Kennedy’s vision.
Emphasis on racial and botanical purity
Critics argue this new minimalist and stark version reflects not only a lack of historical fidelity but may carry deeper ideological undertones. The article draws parallels between the Trump redesign and early 20th-century Nazi “eco-fascist” landscape ideology, which emphasized racial and botanical “purity,” removal of foreign or exotic species, and an aversion to visual and biological diversity.
Key Changes Include:
Removal of historic trees: Melania Trump removed the Katherine crab apple trees, which were integral to Mellon's design and symbolically tied to President Kennedy's vision and support for civil rights.
Preservation of controversial trees: She retained the Magnolia soulangeana trees tied to President Andrew Jackson, a staunch supporter of slavery.
Loss of color and variation: The vibrant and diverse plantings of the original Rose Garden were replaced with a more monotone, stripped-down aesthetic that emphasized order, symmetry, stonework, and reduced plant diversity.
Resemblance to aesthetic principles of Nazi-era German gardens
Though there’s no definitive proof of intentional symbolism, the redesign’s resemblance to aesthetic principles of Nazi-era German gardens — with their emphasis on order, “native” materials, and rejection of roses as “non-Nordic” — raises concerns. The garden’s stark visual shift, along with its political and symbolic associations, has led some to question what kind of “patriotic expression” the redesign truly represents — and for whom.
CPAC and the basic use of the Othala on their stage.
At the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held at a Hyatt hotel in Orlando, Florida, the stage design sparked controversy for resembling the Odal (or Othala) rune, a Norse symbol adopted by the Nazis, particularly the SS, during World War II. Thousands of social media users pointed out the similarity, prompting Hyatt Hotels to condemn any symbols of hate as “abhorrent,” while clarifying that the stage design was handled by the event’s organizer, the American Conservative Union (ACU). ACU chair Matt Schlapp dismissed the comparisons as “outrageous and slanderous,” reaffirming the organization’s support for the Jewish community and noting the presence of Jewish speakers at the event. The Odal rune has a known association with white supremacist groups and was seen at violent far-right rallies such as the 2017 Charlottesville event. The article also noted that extremist symbols, including Confederate flags, were carried by some individuals during the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
National Medal of Motherhood = Cross of Honor of the German Mother
Trump’s National Medal of Motherhood
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a set of pronatalist policies to encourage Americans to have more children, including a proposal to award a motherhood medal to women who bear six or more children. This idea, promoted by pronatalist activists Malcolm and Simone Collins, echoes similar awards from authoritarian regimes like Nazi Germany, where Hitler awarded the Cross of Honour to mothers of large families. Other proposed initiatives include a $5,000 baby bonus, fertility awareness classes, and prioritizing scholarships and federal support for parents. While the administration promotes these measures as pro-family, critics note the lack of practical support like childcare, healthcare, or disability services. Trump has embraced the agenda, even referring to himself as the “fertilization president,” and several officials, including Elon Musk and JD Vance, have also publicly supported pronatalist ideas.
The Cross of Honor of the German Mother
On December 16, 1938, Adolf Hitler established the Mother’s Cross to promote childbirth among “racially pure” German women and expand the population of the Third Reich. The award came in Bronze, Silver, or Gold, depending on the number of children a woman bore, starting at four. Only women who met Nazi racial and ideological standards—such as proven German ancestry, good health, and loyalty to Nazi values—were eligible. The policy was part of a broader effort to shape ideal mothers, beginning with youth programs like the League of German Girls. Between 1938 and 1944, over 3 million women received the honor.
Madison Square Garden Rally in 1939 v. Trump’s Madison Square Garden Rally
Eerie coincidence or deliberate nod to authoritarianism
The article explores the symbolic weight of Donald Trump holding a six-hour campaign rally at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in October 2024, a venue that once hosted the largest Nazi rally in U.S. history in 1939. That earlier event, organized by the German American Bund, featured swastikas and pro-Nazi rhetoric just months before World War II. Given that history, critics argue the Trump campaign's choice of location was either an eerie coincidence or a deliberate nod to authoritarianism—especially in light of past comparisons between Trump and Adolf Hitler, including a recent claim by his former chief of staff that Trump admired the loyalty Hitler's generals showed.
Homeland Security posted a Manifest Destiny picture.
Eerie coincidence or deliberate nod to authoritarianism
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) social media controversially used a painting by Morgan Weistling titled A Prayer for a New Life. The image, depicting a white pioneer family in a covered wagon, was shared with the caption “Remember your Homeland’s Heritage,” drawing strong criticism for its perceived white nationalist overtones. Critics, including art and media scholars, argue that the post romanticizes manifest destiny and white settler colonialism, while erasing Indigenous peoples, immigrants, and other marginalized groups from America’s historical narrative. The DHS's messaging, particularly amid aggressive immigration raids under Trump’s second administration, is seen as deliberately provocative and propagandistic.
Eerie coincidence or deliberate nod to authoritarianism
Experts point out that the painting and similar posts by the DHS align with the “four pillars of propaganda”: emotional appeal, oversimplification, manipulation of dreams and fears, and vilification of others. By promoting nostalgic, sanitized visions of American heritage, the DHS appears to be legitimizing exclusionary and authoritarian ideologies under the guise of patriotism.
Ron DeSantis staffer inserts nazi symbol into video.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign fired speechwriter Nate Hochman after it was revealed that he secretly created and shared a pro-DeSantis video featuring a Sonnenrad, a symbol historically linked to the Nazis and still used by some white supremacist groups. Hochman shared the video through a pro-DeSantis Twitter account, then retweeted it before it was deleted. The campaign confirmed Hochman's dismissal but declined to comment further. This incident adds to growing turmoil within the DeSantis campaign, which is undergoing significant downsizing due to financial strain. The use of extremist imagery and deceptive tactics has raised further concerns about the campaign’s direction and internal management.
Trump shared a Truth Social post featuring a pink triangle with an overlaid "prohibited" sign.
Donald Trump’s recent Truth Social post featuring a pink triangle overlaid with a “prohibited” sign has sparked outrage, with critics calling it a dangerous dog whistle to extremists. The pink triangle, once used by the Nazis to persecute LGBTQ individuals, has since become a reclaimed symbol of resilience and pride. However, its pairing with a symbol of exclusion sends a troubling message amid a climate of escalating attacks on LGBTQ rights. Commentators argue that this is not an accident but a calculated move to embolden hate and sow division, warning against the dangers of ignoring such inflammatory rhetoric.
