Why Alec Baldwin Thinks Trump Tweets Signal Something Sinister

[inanna]

December 4, 2016

Before you dismiss President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Twitter tirade against Alec Baldwin, consider the actor’s response to the soon-to-be world leader.

Trump called Baldwin’s now famous impersonation of him “sad” on Saturday night, saying on Twitter that the actor’s bit on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” “just can’t get any worse.”

To that, Baldwin responded:

Release your tax returns and I'll stop.
Ha

But the actor also retweeted a link to an August article from The Atlantic that compared Trump to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, highlighting a quote from the piece:

“Mussolini’s rise to power also exemplifies another authoritarian trait America has seen during this campaign: The charismatic leader who tests the limits of what the public, press, and political class will tolerate. This exploration begins early and is accomplished through controversial actions and threatening or humiliating remarks toward groups or individuals. It’s designed to gauge the collective appetite and permission for verbal and physical violence and the use of extralegal methods in policing and other realms.”

...

https://www.yahoo.com/tv/why-alec-baldwin-thinks-trump-tweets-signal-something-204007831.html

Link to The Atlantic article referred to above:

An American Authoritarian

[niyad]

1. trumplethinskin was at it again, eh--how did he manage to find the time between messing

with china and playing footsie with duterte?

[AgadorSparticus]

2. This is much more than just a ratings game the media is playing worth

We need to get the word out on the danger of this demagogue.

[lonestarnot]

3. Mussolini, Hitler yep.

[WheelWalker]

4. What's disturbing is that such comparisons are no longer lunatic fringe. They are who they

pretend to be.

[world wide wally]

5. FTM

Fuck the media
That created him...they own him
Period. Don't buy any more bullshit from them. They are him

[Cha]

7. Precisely, Wally.

[Nitram]

9. The media didn't "create" Trump.

The bitter, selfish and greedy people who voted for Trump did. The media reported his insane rants, and I assumed that would persuade people to vote against him. The fact that I was wrong does not mean "the media" is to blame. I'm tired of those who blame "the media" for everything. It's time to accept the fact that while the right wing media is entirely biased towards right wing candidates, the rest of the media reported all the negative stuff about Trump and it made no difference to the people who voted for him.

[Little Star]

12. Well you must have been watching a different media than I was......

Trump 24/7, every friggin day. Oh look a rally, another rally, another rally.

It was like Hillary didn't exist.

[Nitram]

13. That could very well be true. I do not watch TV. I read the Washington Post and

listen to NPR and the BBC. Also frequent DU, Politico and DailyKos. And watch clips of TV commentary that others recommend online.

[Plucketeer]

14. Bernie got the same treatment nt

[Cha]

6. Thank you for this, ianna! Why Alec Baldwin Thinks Trump Tweets Signal Something Sinister

“Mussolini’s rise to power also exemplifies another authoritarian trait America has seen during this campaign: The charismatic leader who tests the limits of what the public, press, and political class will tolerate. This exploration begins early and is accomplished through controversial actions and threatening or humiliating remarks toward groups or individuals. It’s designed to gauge the collective appetite and permission for verbal and physical violence and the use of extralegal methods in policing and other realms.”

https://www.yahoo.com/tv/why-alec-baldwin-thinks-trump-tweets-signal-something-204007831.html

We see you trump

[inanna]

8. The whole world is watching.

[JudyM]

10. He'll probably just be pleased that he was essentially called charismatic.

[barbtries]

11. lot of sinister shit going on.

i don't know where it ends.

[DemoTex]

15. Remember "Il Duce" Mussolini's end.

It was not pretty.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

16. Mike Pence is a major Fascist sympathizer. As is Priebus. n/t

[coco22]

17. Many in the media make excuses for him..

Anderson Cooper in particular, one of the hosts this morning on CNN in the 9'0 clock hr this morning tried it and one of the reporters told her to stop making excuses for him.

The panel were talking about Flynt and his son and he told her to stop pretending that his boss Trump is the ringleader,which I shout at the tv everytime I hear that shit. Its posted on youtube.

[Xipe Totec]

18. But remember, things did not end so well for Mussolini. nt

[heaven05]

21. you think?????

nah. My wildest dream ain't going to happen in civilized ameriKKKa.

[elmac]

19. I think sniffles administration closly matches the Nazis

As in taking away citizenship of anyone who protests. The Nazis did this so they could execute protesters on day one instead of after the 99 day day appeal process.

[heaven05]

20. yep, 100% fascist pig

the solace I have is they will end up suffering, like everyone else. Before it's over they will be shouting,LOCK HIM UP!!!!!!!!!!

[Doreen]

22. It's called "keep America hateful".

[Kablooie]

23. I don't know about Mussolini but he's not like Hitler.

I'm reading the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich to see what the reality of Hitler's rise was and Trump doesn't match it.

Hitler was all about politics and ruthlessly grabbing power often with violence and terrorism.
Power by violence was considered a virtue. Peace was considered shameful.
He didn't care about money.
He was a shrewd judge of character and a master manipulator when it came to political machinations.

None of this fits Trump.
Trump is just about Trump not politics.
He's not about power per se. He's about glory - for himself.
He's not fixated on violence as a primary means of grabbing power.
He doesn't seem to be a master manipulator, his tricks are usually transparent.

There are similarities such as they both have no problem with blatant lies and they were both laughed at early in their campaigns but that's not key to who they are.