The Trump administration gets scarier by the day. And the president's latest admission is no less terrifying - he's nailed his colours to the mast and said that he's a 'nationalist'.
Speaking to the packed out rally in Houston, Texas, ahead of the midterms and to support the Republican candidate Ted Cruz, he said:
A globalist is a person who wants the globe to do well, frankly, not caring about our country so much. And you know what, we can't have that. ... You know what I am? I’m a nationalist. Use that word.
The crowd reportedly broke out into choruses of 'USA' in response.
Nationalism has a number of definitions, but the online dictionary Merriam Webster describes it as 'loyalty and devotion to a nation', especially:
Exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on the promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to other nations.
The rally was one of the few times that Trump has explicitly aligned himself with 'nationalism', a label which has garnered concern from US and foreign lawmakers, as well as the Twitterati - who were horrified.
Many said it was a 'terrifying' admission.
Adolf Hitler: “I am a Nationalist.” Donald Trump: “I am a Nationalist.” Wake the fuck up America. This is no long… https://t.co/OuSTVPhYDi— Ryan Knight ☭ (@Ryan Knight ☭) 1540261495
When someone tells you who they are, believe them: “You know, they have a word. It sort of became old-fashioned. It… https://t.co/EoMLHakpEk— S.E. Cupp (@S.E. Cupp) 1540267791
Nationalism betrays our fundamental purpose as humans—to love one another deeply and fully. God's love crosses bord… https://t.co/F4AC1M7Ku6— Serene Jones (@Serene Jones) 1540300564
The amount of nationalism in America is terrifying. https://t.co/kqdBRG3DWZ— David Hogg (@David Hogg) 1540257075
The president's embrace of the word nationalism tonight is a marker, the culmination of many years of resisting the… https://t.co/wXPmOmtymb— Robert Costa (@Robert Costa) 1540261580
Whereas others stressed that nationalism by itself doesn't equal fascism.
Last night Trump called himself a nationalist, which is sure to provoke the media left to once again accuse him of… https://t.co/FiCFyW5NPj— Dinesh D'Souza (@Dinesh D'Souza) 1540294496
Some highlighted Orwell's definition of the term.
“By ‘nationalism’ I mean first of all the habit of assuming that human beings can be classified like insects and th… https://t.co/uiDcBqdMf5— Bill Kristol (@Bill Kristol) 1540295978
While others stressed its difference from 'patriotism'.
Let's be clear: Nationalism is not patriotism. Real patriotism involves strengthening our democracy, defending the… https://t.co/aXRV4pFneQ— Robert Reich (@Robert Reich) 1540266364
Orwell: “Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism... Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militaril… https://t.co/vpl4mABzGj— Josh Rogin (@Josh Rogin) 1540297476
"Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own come… https://t.co/a0DLHYzSTq— ian bremmer (@ian bremmer) 1540267313
HT The Hill