Renowned historian and author Ruth Ben-Ghiat has labeled former President Donald Trump as “one of the most dangerous people in America” in a powerful statement on her verified social media account.
According to a tweet on her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, she further described him as an “international criminal” and emphasized that the support he receives from many GOP elites is not merely due to opportunism or weakness, but genuine fear.
Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, has long been an outspoken critic of authoritarianism and has extensively studied the rise of strongmen throughout history.
Her insights are rooted in her academic expertise and deep understanding of historical patterns of autocracy. Her latest comments highlight the ongoing concerns about Trump’s influence on American politics and the potential threats to democracy.
“Trump is one of the most dangerous people in America. He is also an international criminal. It is not just opportunism or weakness that leads many GOP elites to support him; it is a genuine fear of him,” Ben-Ghiat tweeted, encapsulating the urgency and gravity of the situation as she sees it.
Her assertion implies that Trump’s influence extends beyond political maneuvering and touches on more profound and disturbing dynamics within the American political landscape. Ben-Ghiat’s critique of Trump isn’t new. She has consistently argued that his political tactics mirror those of authoritarian leaders worldwide.
In her book “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present,” she draws parallels between Trump and other historical figures known for their autocratic rule. Ben-Ghiat contends that Trump’s use of propaganda, his exploitation of public sentiment, and his tendency to incite violence place him squarely in the tradition of authoritarian strongmen.
In various interviews and writings, Ben-Ghiat has explored how Trump’s rhetoric and actions, particularly his response to the January 6th Capitol insurrection, demonstrate his dangerous propensity for encouraging violence and undermining democratic institutions.
She has pointed out that Trump’s promise to pardon January 6th insurrectionists serves as a chilling incentive for his supporters to engage in future acts of violence, should it benefit his political aspirations. Moreover, Ben-Ghiat believes that Trump’s influence persists not just because of his charisma or political acumen but because of the genuine fear he instills in his allies and opponents alike.
This fear, she argues, is a hallmark of autocratic rule, where loyalty is often secured through intimidation rather than respect or ideological alignment. The fear among GOP elites, as Ben-Ghiat suggests, underscores the precarious state of American democracy and the challenges of confronting an authoritarian figure within a democratic system. Ben-Ghiat’s warnings are not just theoretical.
She frequently references historical precedents to illustrate how democracies can gradually erode into autocracies. She notes that political change can happen incrementally, with a few significant gestures of aggression followed by periods of relative calm, creating a false sense of security until a tipping point is reached.
At this point, the cumulative impact of these actions can lead to a dramatic transformation of the political system, a scenario she fears is unfolding in the United States. Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s characterization of Trump as a dangerous and criminal figure is rooted in her extensive study of authoritarian regimes and her concern for the future of American democracy.
Her statements serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of allowing such figures to wield unchecked power and the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic institutions.