In a recent exchange with CNN's Abby Phillip, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu attempted to deflect criticism of former President Donald Trump's authoritarian rhetoric by blaming the "liberal media." However, Phillip swiftly pointed out that the article in question was actually written by a Republican, Peter Wehner, who has served in the administrations of three GOP presidents.

The essay, published in The Atlantic, argues that Trump has been increasingly embracing authoritarian language. Despite the fact that Wehner is a Republican, Sununu persisted in his assertion that the article was part of a "national effort" to distract from the rise of antisemitism within the Democratic Party.

Phillip interjected once again, emphasizing that Wehner's conservative background is undeniable and pressed Sununu for his reaction to Trump's use of authoritarian language. Recognizing Trump's history in this regard, Sununu nevertheless dismissed the coverage as a distraction.

The conversation shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding Trump's choice of language. Wehner's article and Phillip's questioning focused particularly on Trump's description of his political enemies as "vermin," a term historically associated with Nazi Germany propaganda aimed at dehumanizing Jews and inciting violence against them. While Republicans have largely overlooked Trump's use of the term, some members of Congress from both parties have criticized certain progressives for what they perceive as crossing the line into antisemitism when criticizing Israel and advocating for the rights of Palestinians.

Since the recent outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas, there has been a surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate speech and attacks across the United States. This alarming trend underscores the importance of discussions surrounding the responsible use of language and the potential consequences it can have on marginalized communities.

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