In an MSNBC interview with host Jonathon Capehart, Democratic Party activist Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis implied that racism and fascism were American inventions, and insisted we exported them to places like South Africa and Nazi Germany, in addition to making repetitive comparisons of Trump to Hitler that have been commonplace in her party since his 2016 run.
In response to Capehart's question about Trump's rhetoric regarding Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, she said, “It is outrageous. It is horrifying. But it's expected from a fascist authoritarian person who wants to create havoc in this country. Who wants to take us to…Nazi Germany.”
One might argue that importing tens of thousands of migrants that don't speak English and come from a drastically different culture creates more havoc than drawing attention to it. Residents in towns like Springfield have reported massive increases in crime and traffic accidents, as well as incredible strain put on limited resources.
Lewis continued.
“We exported racism, fascism to Nazi Germany. We exported it to South Africa, Jonathan. We know how to do it, we're good at it.”
The host didn't challenge these claims, but instead, nodded along, and gave book recommendations to the audience that he says provide evidence of her claims.
She went on to liken Trump to Hitler, and address her fellow citizens in an incoherent rant.
“Let's not pretend that Donald Trump isn't exactly like Mussolini, exactly like Hitler, he is that guy. I want to say – something to the American people. I live in a neighborhood, Jonathan, you and I both have white partners. I live in a nice mixed neighborhood with all kinds of people, including Republican people who are nice people, who shovel your grass, who care about the neighborhood, care about the world, right? You nice people don't want this guy just because your economy worked better for five minutes under his regime. You nice Christians, kind, loving Jewish people – we're not these people. We're not these people. And we're not going to get what we want if we elect this fascist, authoritarian weasel.”
It seems that she was trying to urge Republicans and religious Americans not to vote for Trump because they aren't fascists as well as minimize the economic prosperity that characterized Trump's administration, especially when compared to the current administration. It remains unclear what “shoveling grass” means or refers to.
Capehart then went on to ask her about the Pope's endorsement of President Trump, calling him the “lesser of two evils” and focused on the issue of abortion.
She responded, “The Pope is not perfect. That is a racist, sexist — from the Catholic Church, not surprising — interpretation of what Kamala Harris is about, and what Trump is about. I think he oversimplified…”
Nothing in the Pope's statement referred to Kamala's race or sex. Kamala Harris has been extremely pro-choice throughout her career, and Trump supports abortion restrictions.
She then went on to gift the host a pink “God is queer” bracelet.
