Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels, two of the most infamous figures in modern history, perfected the art of seizing power through a combination of lies, manipulation, and propaganda.
Their strategy, which allowed the Nazis to gain legal control of Germany, was built on a clear and deliberate playbook: tell a big lie, repeat it endlessly, and magnify it until it becomes accepted as truth. 
This approach played a pivotal role in their rise to power in the early 20th century, and disturbing echoes of their tactics can be seen in modern political movements, including Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
Let’s explore Hitler and Goebbels’ strategy as laid out in Mein Kampf and other Nazi propaganda, drawing explicit comparisons to how Trump has employed similar techniques in recent years.
In doing so, we issue a warning: history has shown that such tactics can be devastatingly effective, and they present a real danger to democratic institutions today.
- Hitler and Goebbels: The Power of the Big Lie
Hitler’s rise to power was rooted in his ability to manipulate public perception and use lies to stoke fear and division. In Mein Kampf, Hitler outlined the theory behind the Big Lie:
- “The broad masses of a nation… more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie.” (Mein Kampf, Volume 1, Chapter 10)
Hitler believed that people would be more likely to believe a colossal lie because they could not fathom that anyone would have the audacity to fabricate something so grand. This lie, when repeated consistently, would become ingrained in the public consciousness, making it nearly impossible for dissenters to break through the narrative.
Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda, expanded on Hitler’s theory, becoming the architect of Nazi propaganda efforts. Goebbels famously said:
- “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”
Goebbels’ manipulation of the media was key to the Nazis’ ability to spread their lies. He controlled newspapers, radio broadcasts, and films, ensuring that Hitler’s messaging was echoed across Germany without opposition. This allowed the Nazis to turn public opinion against Jews, communists, and other minority groups, laying the groundwork for their authoritarian rule.
Goebbels understood that lies, repeated often enough, can become accepted as truth, particularly when authoritarian control of media channels exists. He also recognized that once the public bought into these lies, they would become less likely to question future falsehoods, creating a feedback loop of deception.
- Legal Manipulation and the Seizure of Power
While Hitler and Goebbels used propaganda to shape public opinion, they also understood the importance of working within the existing legal framework to seize power. Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in 1933 was entirely legal, as was his use of the Reichstag Fire to justify emergency powers. The Nazis passed the Enabling Act, which legally gave Hitler dictatorial powers.
By manipulating existing laws and exploiting the weaknesses in Germany’s democratic system, Hitler was able to dismantle the republic from within. He turned to legal mechanisms to erode civil liberties, crush political opposition, and ultimately establish totalitarian rule.
As Hitler stated in Mein Kampf:
- “The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty.”
By appealing to nationalism, family values, and the protection of the state, Hitler justified his authoritarian actions under the guise of defending the nation. His use of legal channels to consolidate power made his actions seem legitimate, despite their increasingly dictatorial nature.
- Donald Trump and the MAGA Playbook: Echoes of History
The political playbook used by Donald Trump and his MAGA movement bears disturbing similarities to the strategies employed by Hitler and Goebbels. One of the most striking parallels is Trump’s reliance on repeated falsehoods—what some have dubbed the “Big Lie”—to shape public opinion. Trump’s false claims of a stolen election in 2020 provide a clear example of this tactic. Despite being thoroughly debunked by courts, officials, and media fact-checkers, Trump continues to repeat the lie, rallying his supporters to believe that the election was fraudulent.
Trump’s use of the media, particularly social media, has allowed him to bypass traditional information channels and deliver his message directly to his followers. As Goebbels did with radio and newspapers, Trump uses platforms like Twitter and Truth Social to spread his message, often using inflammatory rhetoric to stoke division.
A clear example of this strategy is Trump’s repeated assertion:
- “The election was stolen from me. It was rigged!”
Despite a lack of evidence, this lie has been repeated so often that a significant portion of the electorate believes it to be true. Much like Hitler’s claim that Jews and communists were responsible for Germany’s downfall, Trump’s falsehoods about election fraud have created an alternative reality for many of his supporters.
Another eerie parallel is the cult of personality that has formed around Trump. Just as Hitler was able to cultivate a passionate and loyal following, Trump’s MAGA movement is characterized by an intense devotion to the man himself. This loyalty often extends to dismissing factual evidence and accepting his false claims without question.
Moreover, Trump’s attack on democratic institutions echoes Hitler’s manipulation of the Weimar Republic’s laws. Trump has repeatedly attacked the judiciary, the media, and even his own Department of Justice, claiming they are part of a “deep state” conspiracy. By undermining faith in these institutions, Trump, like Hitler, seeks to erode the checks and balances that safeguard democracy.
- The Danger of Repeated Lies and the Cult of Personality
The danger of Trump’s tactics, like those of Hitler and Goebbels before him, lies in their effectiveness. When a leader repeats lies over and over, and when those lies are amplified by sympathetic media outlets and a loyal base, they become deeply embedded in public discourse. The more a lie is repeated, the more difficult it becomes to combat it with truth.
Hitler and Goebbels understood this principle well. By repeating lies about Jewish conspiracies, they created a scapegoat for Germany’s problems, which allowed them to justify their increasingly authoritarian policies. Trump’s lies about election fraud serve a similar purpose—by presenting himself as a victim of a corrupt system, he can justify extreme measures and attacks on democratic norms.
The MAGA movement has become a passionate, almost cult-like following that is resistant to evidence, fact-checking, or reason. Like the Nazi party faithful, Trump’s base often dismisses criticism as part of a broader conspiracy, making it easier for him to continue pushing his falsehoods without consequence.
Conclusion: A Warning for the Present
The tactics employed by Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels to legally seize power and control public opinion should serve as a stark warning to us today. Their use of lies, propaganda, and legal manipulation enabled them to gain control of Germany and establish a totalitarian regime that led to catastrophic consequences for the world.
We must recognize the similarities between their playbook and the tactics used by Donald Trump. His repeated lies about election fraud, his attacks on democratic institutions, and the cult-like devotion of his followers pose a significant threat to the integrity of the United States’ democratic system.
As history has shown, this kind of manipulation can succeed if it is not confronted. The rise of authoritarianism often begins with small lies and the erosion of public trust in democratic institutions. The passion of the MAGA movement, driven by misinformation and false narratives, demonstrates how easily a lie, if repeated enough, can lead to dangerous consequences for democracy.