By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — Recently, the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) PAC launched a $1 million ad campaign aimed at mobilizing Jewish voters against Donald Trump, drawing controversial comparisons between his political approach and historical fascist movements.
Critics, including Sam Markstein, the Republican Jewish Coalition’s national political director, condemned the ad as “disgusting,” arguing that it exploits Holocaust references for political points. This reaction highlights the broader moral and factual concerns around comparing contemporary political figures to one of history’s most brutal dictators. Such comparisons trivialize the Holocaust, distort history, and can incite dangerous actions by framing political disputes as a fight against fascism.
Comparing Trump—or any modern figure—to Hitler ignores the unique atrocities committed by Hitler, who orchestrated the genocide of six million Jews and millions of other marginalized people. The Nazi regime’s campaign of systematic extermination is unprecedented and incomparable to any contemporary American political situation. Equating Trump’s actions with Hitler’s dilutes the severity of the Holocaust and risks turning its horrors into mere political rhetoric, disrespecting the memory of those who suffered under the Nazis.
Such a mindless trivialization fosters historical ignorance, as younger generations might misunderstand the brutality and meticulous cruelty that defined Hitler’s policies, reducing it to just another political label.
Further, this comparison distorts historical awareness, making it harder to identify real existential threats in the future. If every divisive figure becomes the “next Hitler,” the term loses its urgency. Hitler’s authoritarianism went beyond populist rhetoric; it involved a totalitarian state that eradicated individual freedoms, dismantled institutions, and systematically murdered millions. Even if Trump’s rhetoric evokes strong opinions, it does not equate to the absolute terror of Hitler’s regime.
In light of rising anti-Semitism globally, American Jews must recognize and prioritize these existential threats. Anti-Semitism serves as a stark reminder of who the real adversaries are and underscores the necessity of unity against those threatening Jewish communities worldwide. As history has shown, unchecked anti-Semitic ideologies can fuel significant harm, making solidarity and support for Israel’s right to defend itself not only a political priority but a means of protecting Jewish lives and ensuring survival in a world where threats persist from extremist factions. People often overlook that Trump has a Jewish daughter and son-in-law and several Jewish grandchildren. Additionally, not since President Carter’s Camp David Accords has a U.S. President succeeded in establishing such a lasting peace agreement as the Abraham Accords. Jews ought to give Trump credit for achieving such an important milestone as moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Many past presidents promised they would make such a move, but they never did.
Extreme comparisons also escalate political rhetoric to dangerous levels. When opposition leaders frame a political opponent as a “genocidal dictator,” it can incite some individuals to take extreme actions, possibly believing that violence is justified. History shows that exaggerated threats can lead to violence as people begin to see opposition as a life-or-death scenario. There have already been attempts to assassinate Trump, and inciting further violence is not conducive to democratic debate.
Hyperbolic comparisons also contribute to a “cry wolf” effect. When terms like “fascist” are thrown around in casual discourse, society becomes desensitized to actual threats, losing the capacity to recognize true authoritarianism. Using Hitler as a comparison for Trump ignores the real nature of Nazi terror, dismissing the Holocaust’s horrors as a mere point of political contention.
As a child of a Holocaust survivor, I cannot forget that the Holocaust is one of history’s most documented tragedies, and remembering it accurately is essential to honor its victims and learn from humanity’s darkest moments. By likening Trump to Hitler, society risks disrespecting Holocaust survivors and the generations still affected by the trauma. Such comparisons make a mockery of the pain endured by millions, reducing genuine suffering to a political device. The moral weight of the Holocaust and other genocides lies in their uniqueness and the extreme circumstances that led to them. Diluting this memory undermines the world’s commitment to “never again” allow such atrocities. A careful distinction between past and present horrors preserves the memory of those who suffered and prevents society from desensitizing to mass suffering.
Lastly, Trump’s actions do not meet the criteria for genocide or fascism. Trump governed under a democratic system, unlike the Nazi regime, which dismantled freedom and murdered millions. Disliking or fearing Trump’s policies is one matter; equating them with Hitler’s systematic genocide is both misleading and dangerous. Comparing Trump to Hitler weakens our ability to foster democratic discourse and maintain respect for the severity of history’s genuine threats to human rights and dignity.
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Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista.