The Chilling Implication Behind Nikki Haley's Trump Remark

Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Sunday said Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haleys refusal to condemn Donald Trump s violent rhetoric showed America is living through real-time preparation for an authoritarian crackdown.

Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told Kristen Welker of NBCs Meet the Press that Trumps floating of the idea of executing retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was irresponsible .

But Haley claimed it wasnt enough to disqualify Trump from running for the White House again.

Apparently the idea of executing Milley is now the Party Line, Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, commented on X, formerly Twitter.

We are living through real-time preparation for an authoritarian crackdown, she continued. We are in a phase of getting the public used to the idea of violence.

Having authoritative voices like Haley endorse violence is key, added the author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present.

Apparently the idea of executing Milley is now the Party Line. We are living through real-time preparation for an authoritarian crackdown. We are in phase of \"getting the public used to the idea of violence.\" Having authoritative voices like Haley endorse violence is key. https://t.co/aRFxYDcbVe

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We are in phase of \"getting the public used to the idea of violence.\" Having authoritative voices like Haley endorse violence is key. https://t.co/aRFxYDcbVe Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) October 8, 2023\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Twitter / 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Apparently the idea of executing Milley is now the Party Line. We are living through real-time preparation for an authoritarian crackdown. We are in phase of "getting the public used to the idea of violence." Having authoritative voices like Haley endorse violence is key. https://t.co/aRFxYDcbVe
Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) October 8, 2023

Trumps attack on Milley prompted the top military leader to take safety precautions for himself and his family. The comment drew sparse criticism from conservatives, however.

Four-times-indicted Trump remains the 2024 Republican front-runner , polling at around 57%. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in second with 12%, and Haley is in third with 7%.

Haley has been suggested as a potential running mate for Trump, should he win the nomination. Other potential candidates for the role reportedly include far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

In June, Ben-Ghiat predicted Trump will never leave if he wins back the White House. Thats very clear, because like all authoritarians, he needs to get back into power because hes so corrupt and shut down all investigations, she wrote at the time, describing the GOP as an autocratic party operating in a democracy.

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Later, Ben-Ghiat warned Trump should be believed when he threatens to do things like obliterate the civil service and seize total control of government.

Authoritarians always tell you what they are going to do as a kind of challenge and as a warning, and people dont listen until its too late, she said.