In a Tuesday night television interview, Vice President Kamala Harris made a controversial claim, stating that former President Donald Trump's rhetoric bears similarities to that of Adolf Hitler. The assertion came in response to Trump's recent comments at a New Hampshire rally, where he faced intense criticism for suggesting that illegal immigrants were "poisoning the blood" of the United States.

During the MSNBC interview with host Lawrence O'Donnell, Harris was asked to imagine herself as a young eighth-grade girl stumbling upon Trump's quote. O'Donnell also insinuated that Trump's statement referred to Harris's blood and the blood of her family. Drawing on her upbringing in a family involved in the civil rights movement, Harris expressed how she interpreted Trump's language, seeing it as an attempt to divide people and likening it to the language used by Hitler.

Harris emphasized the importance of reminding the younger generation about the true measure of leadership, which she believes lies in uplifting others rather than tearing them down. She argued that strength shouldn't be equated with bullying but instead should reflect empathy.

Trump's remarks have drawn criticism from various quarters, including the media, the White House, and politicians from both sides of the aisle. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, labeled Trump's comments as "unhelpful rhetoric," while Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican from West Virginia, expressed her disagreement with the language used by the former president. Capito also highlighted that as a nation of immigrants, it was important to recognize the impact of such divisive rhetoric.

However, not all Republicans condemned Trump's statement. Sen. J.D. Vance from Ohio defended Trump and criticized the assumption that Trump was comparing himself to Hitler. Vance argued that Trump was referring to the drug epidemic and the negative impact it has on Americans.

In response to the backlash, Trump denied having ever read Hitler's infamous book, "Mein Kampf," during a recent campaign rally in Waterloo, Iowa.

The claim made by Vice President Harris has sparked a heated debate over the nature of Trump's rhetoric and its potential parallels to the language used by Adolf Hitler. While opinions on the matter differ, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing polarization within the political landscape and the power of words in shaping public discourse.