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    In recent weeks, Donald Trump has doubled and even tripled down on the charged rhetoric that critics have lamented sounds like it’s coming from the mouth of an authoritarian leader as opposed to a candidate for president of a democracy.

    On December 6, when asked if he’d abuse his power as retribution against his political foes, the former president told Fox News host Sean Hannity that, should he be re-elected in 2024, he’ll only be a dictator “on day one.”

    On December 17, Trump declared immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country,” a statement that drew ire from the Biden White House, which said the comments “parroted Adolf Hitler.”

    Peter Simi, a professor of sociology at Chapman University, has studied extremist groups and violence for 25 years and has co-authored two books about white supremacy in America.

    Simi spoke to Business Insider to explain why, even as Trump’s rhetoric becomes increasingly extreme and highlights themes of fascism and authoritarianism, the former president’s violent speeches aren’t demanding the world’s attention like they used to.

    They maintain their support for him and it’s hard, at this point, to see what it would take to change that for the core base of true believers who are unwavering and fully committed in his camp.


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