Former Trump White House staffer Sarah Matthews expressed alarm on Sunday over Donald Trump’s increasingly disturbing comments, particularly highlighting his rhetoric on immigration as “almost Hitler-esque.”
Matthews, who resigned as Trump’s deputy press secretary on the day of the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, made these remarks during an interview with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki.
Matthews noted that while Trump’s first four years in office were marked by controversies, his current rhetoric is particularly concerning. She pointed out that his language, especially regarding immigration and statements like “Poisoning the blood of our country,” is attempting to prey on people’s worst instincts and incite anger.
She emphasized that Trump’s rhetoric is aimed at getting people “angry and riled up,” which she finds deeply concerning. Matthews compared his approach to that of a dictator, highlighting his efforts to overturn the 2020 election result as evidence of his threat to democracy.
While acknowledging that her warnings may sound alarmist, Matthews urged voters to pay attention to Trump’s own words and actions. She specifically mentioned Trump’s past statement about becoming a dictator on day one and encouraged people to consider his behavior in light of these statements.
Matthews’ comments come as Trump continues to play a prominent role in Republican politics, leading to concerns among some about the direction of the party and the future of American democracy.