At a recent rally, former President Donald Trump used striking language, likening his political opponents to "vermin." In a speech to a New Hampshire crowd, he vowed to eliminate what he referred to as "communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical left thugs" residing within the country. This rhetoric, reminiscent of authoritarian leaders, is part of Trump's historical use of strong language in politics. The speech also included praise for Hungary's leader, Viktor Orban, emphasizing his toughness and disapproval of allowing large numbers of people into the country. Additionally, Trump identified himself as a "very proud election denier." The use of such rhetoric aligns with authoritarian tendencies, where leaders seek to diminish checks and balances on their power. Scholars, like Ruth Ben-Ghiat, define authoritarianism as a manipulation of power dynamics within a democracy. The connection between Trump's language and Nazi ideology has sparked controversy, with critics emphasizing the dehumanizing impact of such rhetoric on political opponents. These linguistic choices contribute to a broader discussion on authoritarian sentiment, as seen in polls indicating a willingness to resort to violence among a significant portion of the electorate.