A commentator tried to compare Trump to Hitler during an interview, but one bizarre detail about “selling merch” stole the spotlight
Image by Michael Vadon, CC BY-SA 2.0.
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A political commentator sparked controversy this week after comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler during an interview, though one unusual detail in the comparison quickly drew attention. As reported by Fox News, the remarks came during a discussion on former ABC journalist Terry Moran’s “Real Patriotism” Substack interview series.
The comments came from Anand Giridharadas, a contributor to MS NOW, who argued that Trump represents what he described as an “unserious authoritarian.” Giridharadas claimed Trump does not resemble historical dictators such as Hitler or Joseph Stalin because, in his view, Trump is focused on other ventures at the same time.
During the conversation, Giridharadas pointed to what he described as a difference in “seriousness” between Trump and historical authoritarian leaders. He suggested that Hitler was fully committed to his ideology, while Trump operates more like what he called a “part-time side hustle authoritarian.”
The comparison quickly turned to Trump’s business ventures
Giridharadas said that historical figures such as Adolf Hitler, Mao Zedong, and Joseph Stalin pursued their political goals with singular focus. He contrasted that with Trump’s political and business activities, and the interview landed during another week of Trump-centered coverage that included secret Cuba negotiations.
At one point, Giridharadas made the comment that quickly became the focus of the interview. He said he did not believe Hitler was “selling merch,” referencing Trump’s long-running use of branded products and campaign merchandise.
He also argued that some supporters of the president are beginning to see Trump as a “weak man pretending to be a strong man.” Giridharadas described Trump as an incompetent figure attempting authoritarian politics while also pursuing personal financial interests.
MS NOW declined to comment on the remarks when asked but confirmed that Giridharadas remains a contributor to the network. The commentator has drawn attention before for outspoken views, including arguing that billionaires should be outlawed because he believes they undermine democracy.
The comparison between Trump and Hitler has appeared repeatedly in political media discussions over the years. The latest exchange also arrived during coverage of Melania’s commander in chief speech, adding to a broader cycle of Trump-focused commentary.
Former senator and MS NOW contributor Claire McCaskill made a related argument in 2023, suggesting Trump could be more dangerous than historical authoritarian figures because he lacks a consistent political philosophy. In another widely discussed comment in 2020, psychiatrist Dr. Bandy X. Lee wrote that Trump was not Adolf Hitler but argued that Hitler showed more discipline and demanded more of himself politically.
Published: Mar 14, 2026 11:00 am