Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted a controversial video on his Truth Social account on Monday, featuring headlines that referenced the "creation of a unified Reich" if he were to win the 2024 presidential election. The term “Reich,” often associated with Nazi Germany, appeared alongside other fabricated news headlines like "Economy Booms!" and "Border Is Closed."
The 30-second clip was quickly condemned and eventually deleted on Tuesday morning. Trump’s campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, stated that the video was not an official campaign production but had been reposted by a staffer who did not notice the controversial wording. At the time of the post, Trump was in court for his ongoing hush money trial in New York.
President Joe Biden’s campaign criticized the video, with spokesman James Singer asserting that it suggested Trump's dictatorial intentions. This incident follows a series of Trump’s past remarks that critics argue echo Adolf Hitler's rhetoric, such as describing his opponents as "vermin" and claiming immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.”
The controversy arose as Trump participated in significant fundraising efforts, garnering $76 million in April, surpassing Biden's campaign haul for the first time. This financial boost included a $50.5 million fundraiser at the Palm Beach home of billionaire John Paulson.