Movie at the Ellipse: A Study in Fascist Propaganda

JVL Introduction

The author says it all in his opening sentences, before spelling it out in great detail:

“On January 6, Trump supporters gathered at a rally at Washington DC’s Ellipse Park, regaled by various figures from Trump world, including Donald Trump Jr. and Rudy Giuliani.

“Directly following Giuliani’s speech, the organizers played a video.

“To a scholar of fascist propaganda, well-versed in the history of the National Socialist’s pioneering use of videos in political propaganda, it was clear, watching it, what dangers it portended.

“In it, we see themes and tactics that history warns pose a violent threat to liberal democracy.

“Given the aims of fascist propaganda – to incite and mobilize – the events that followed were predictable.”

This article was originally published by Just Security on Thu 4 Feb 2021. Read the original here.