POLITICS
What is a ‘unified Reich’? The message in the video posted by Trump in Truth Social
Former President Donald Trump’s recent video posted on Truth Social has caused a stir among political observers and the general public.
Donald Trump can’t keep out of headlines, and this time its for a headline his campaign team created for him.
A narrator in a now deleted video says, “What happens after Donald Trump wins? What’s next for America?” Meanwhile, headlines are shown, including: “Industrial strength significantly increased … driven by the creation of a unified reich.”
The term “reich” means “empire” in German, and its usage in the video alludes to the creation of a unified empire or realm.
This term is often associated with Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, who referred to his regime as the “Third Reich.” The video’s mention of a “unified Reich” seems to evoke the idea of a powerful and potentially racist state, which has led to speculation about Trump’s political aspirations and the direction he envisions for the United States.
The three 'Reichs' in history
- The First Reich
The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, which lasted from 800 to 1806 was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. - The Second Reich
The German Empire, which existed from 1871 to 1918, is known as the Second Reich. It was a nation-state that emerged after the Franco-Prussian War and was ruled by the Prussian Hohenzollern dynasty. - The Third Reich
The Nazi regime in Germany from 1933 to 1945 is referred to as the Third Reich. The Nazis sought to portray their rule as the direct continuation of an ancient German past, adopting the term "Third Reich" from a 1923 book by Arthur Moeller van den Bruck. They claimed the Third Reich would last for a thousand years, but it ended after 12 with Germany's defeat in World War II.
Critics argue that the reference to a “unified Reich” is a dog whistle to far-right extremists and white nationalists, who may interpret it as a call for a return to authoritarian rule and the suppression of minority rights.