Fury at BBC Radio 4 as Simon Schama compares Donald Trump election win to rise of HITLER
DONALD TRUMP’S election as president has brought a “fascist to power", one of Britain's foremost historians has said.
Schama on Trump: 'Democracy often brings fascist power'
The Republican billionaire will become the 45th president of the US in January after one of the most bitter and bizarre election campaigns of modern times.
Historian Simon Schama has blasted the election of Mr Trump – who has called for a ban on all Muslim immigration into the US – saying it was a dark day for America.
Speaking to the Today programme on Radio 4 he said: “Democracy often brings fascists to power it did so to Germany in the 1930s.
“And so in my view it has done this evening. That is the verdict of the majority of the people.
Donald Trump's win has been compared to the rise of Hitler by Simon Schama
“It is the exercise of the democratic will and it can often bring you authoritarian regimes and in my opinion that is exactly what it is going to do.
“Donald Trump will have command of all three branches of the American government and for many people this is a genuinely frightening prospect.”
Schama’s comments sparked a heated reaction from listeners.
"Democracy often brings fascists to power. It did in the 1930s" @simon_schama tells @BBCr4today
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) November 9, 2016
@drangiehobbs if you ramp up the hysterical nonsense just a bit, you'll come across as unhinged as @simon_schama
— (((Blue Bear))) (@bluebearsoup) November 9, 2016
@simon_schama He's a creep. Graciously accept. Lick wounds. Plenty of time for resistance. Let them fire first shot. After all, HE WON!
— Gary Hartstein (@former_f1doc) November 9, 2016
@simon_schama It's called DEMOCRACY
— Dignity & Respect (@mike04342281) November 9, 2016
One user wrote: “You summed it up so well. We need to recognise the magnitude of this decision. Sad times.”
Another said: “The list of consequences you mentioned makes me feel sick.”
Simon Schama is one of the world's leading historians
Democracy often brings fascists to power it did so to Germany in the 1930s
The election of the outspoken businessman and TV personality, who has never held public office, illustrates the anger and frustration felt by many Americans at the political establishment represented by Democratic former secretary of state Mrs Clinton.
In an upset which has drawn parallels to the Brexit victory in the UK, Mr Trump rewrote the rules of political campaigning.
Mrs Clinton's failure to become the first female president in US history would bring down the curtain on a political career which has seen her spend decades at the heart of American politics.