Dickinson Writes

At a recent address at the Capitol, Melanie Stansbury, a Democratic Representative from New Mexico, held up a sign that read, “This is not normal,” as the president entered the Congress chamber.

Moments later, Lance Gooden, an ardent supporter of the president and Republican representative from Texas, forcefully yanked the sign from Ms. Stansbury’s hands. Mr. Gooden apparently did not want the president to be bothered by such a message or have the theatrics interfered with.

Mr. Gooden’s actions however had the opposite effect, for they helped us realize in real-time that we were witnessing a sort of coronation for the would-be king who had, following the previous election, attempted to overthrow our government by gathering a bloodthirsty mob and unleashing them on this same Capitol, on January 6, 2021.

This was not normal. [I won’t here detail the many abnormal, evil or mentally ill things this president has done in the past, such as: 1] His repeatedly downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly early-on in 2020, even suggesting the virus would “disappear” on its own and promoting unproven treatments, like hydroxychloroquine; 2] His making lewd and degrading comments about women, including saying, “Grab them by the pussy,” which caused widespread backlash- he dismissed this statement as mere “locker room talk” [he would later be found civilly liable for sexual assault]; 3] His refusing to release his tax returns- it has been reported that Trump paid very little in federal income taxes in the years leading up to his presidency; 4] His creating derogatory nicknames for his political opponents- he called Hillary Clinton “Crooked Hillary,” Joe Biden “Sleepy Joe,” and referred to various Republican rivals as “Lyin’ Ted” [Ted Cruz] and “Little Marco” [Marco Rubio]; 5] After losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, he made false claims that the election had been “stolen” from him, promoting the idea of widespread voter fraud without evidence, which culminated, as stated above, in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot; 6] His making frequent statements that contradict established facts, such as when he claimed that he had the largest inauguration crowd in history, despite photographic evidence to the contrary, and his claim that wind turbines cause cancer; 7] His admiring authoritarian leaders, such as Vladimir Putin of Russia and others, and repeatedly downplaying or ignoring human rights abuses by these leaders; 8] His attempting to change the projected path of a hurricane with a sharpie pen; 9] His frequently attacking media outlets, calling them “fake news” and labeling specific reporters and outlets as “enemies of the people”- these attacks on the press were [and are] obvious attempt to undermine trust in the media and limit free speech; & 10] His multiple indictments and impeachments.]

What we are now seeing/experiencing is not normal.

The president is apparently controlled or at least greatly influenced by a would-be oligarch, who has been recently quoted as influencing or directing the president to “go after” those saying things about him and his companies he does not like. Government is now being weaponized by this, our de facto president.

It was recently publicly reported that said would-be oligarch is a ketamine user. The effects of ketamine were recently reported in an article by the Atlantic, entitled, “What Ketamine Does to the Human Brain.” The article states, in part, “Excessive use of the drug [ketamine] can make anyone feel like they rule the world.” The article continues, “Musk has said he uses ketamine regularly, so for the past couple of years, public speculation has persisted about how much he takes, whether he’s currently high, or how it might affect his behavior.” The article also states [quoting from a prior article in the New Yorker], “Musk’s ‘associates’ worried that ketamine, ‘alongside his isolation and his increasingly embattled relationship with the press, might contribute to his tendency to make chaotic and impulsive statements and decisions.'” The article highlights that “[k]etamine is called a dissociative drug because during a high . . . people might feel detached from their body, their emotions, or the passage of time. Frequent, heavy recreational use . . . has been linked to cognitive effects that last beyond the high, including impaired memory, delusional thinking, superstitious beliefs, and a sense of specialness and importance.”

A survey of the scientific literature reveals that ketamine can induce vivid sensory experiences, including visual and auditory distortions or even full-blown hallucinations. Ketamine can induce euphoria at lower doses and, at higher doses, it can impair memory, concentration and overall cognitive function, leading to confusion or difficulty processing thoughts. Ketamine can also make users feel anxious, paranoid or frightened. In persons who’ve taken high doses, ketamine can lead to irritability and aggression.

Nothing about the behavior of the persons now in charge of the United States is normal. And we must not “sane-wash” any of it or pretend that persons so clearly affected, even controlled, by their inner demons and/or drugs are acting in anyone’s interests, and that, somehow, something good or constructive will come from the chaos.

Representative Stansbury was right. This is not normal.

In Nazi Germany, science was politicized and co-opted to serve the regime’s racist, militaristic and nationalist objectives.

The Nazis used scientific concepts like eugenics and racial biology to promote their ideas of racial purity and superiority. Scientists who supported these views were highly valued under the regime. Racial scientists like Hans Günther and Otto Reche were instrumental in formulating the Nazi notion of racial hierarchy, which placed Aryans at the top and Jews, Romani people and others at the bottom.

The Nazis implemented a state-sponsored program of “racial hygiene,” which sought to control reproduction and eliminate individuals deemed “genetically inferior.” This led to forced sterilizations and the “T4” euthanasia program, in which people with disabilities were murdered in the name of improving the genetic quality of the population. These practices were inspired by pseudoscience, but they were given an air of legitimacy through the backing of some German scientists and physicians.

One of the most notable impacts of Nazi ideology on science was the regime’s rejection of certain scientific fields, particularly physics. The Nazis denounced modern physics, particularly the work of Albert Einstein, who was a Jewish physicist. The regime labeled his theories—especially the theory of relativity—as “Jewish science” and therefore “un-German.” Scientists who supported Einstein’s theories were often dismissed or ostracized.

Many Jewish scientists, scholars and intellectuals were either forced into exile or killed during the Holocaust. Scientists like Otto Hahn (a key figure in nuclear chemistry) and Max Born (a pioneer of quantum mechanics) were either exiled or had their careers destroyed. The Nazi regime effectively purged Germany of much of its scientific talent, particularly in the fields of physics and chemistry.

Scientists whose research contradicted Nazi ideology were often silenced or persecuted. For example, any research that did not support Nazi racial theories, including research on genetics that contradicted their ideas of racial superiority, was suppressed.

The Nazis heavily invested in science to support their military goals. German scientists were tasked with developing new weapons and technology for warfare. This led to significant advancements in rocketry, chemical weapons and other military technologies. For example, Wernher von Braun, who later became a key figure in the U.S. space program after the war, was involved in the development of the V-2 rocket during World War II.

During the Holocaust, Nazi doctors and scientists conducted horrific medical experiments on concentration camp prisoners. These experiments had no scientific merit and were carried out under the guise of advancing medical knowledge. Josef Mengele, known as the “Angel of Death,” conducted particularly gruesome experiments on twins and other prisoners at Auschwitz.

In addition to pseudoscientific racial theories, the Nazis were deeply influenced by occultist and mythological ideas, particularly in their pursuit of a “glorious Aryan past.” Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS, was especially interested in mystical ideas and sought to tie Nazi ideology to ancient Germanic paganism. The SS even conducted expeditions to find evidence of ancient Aryan civilizations.

Nazi ideology also incorporated esoteric and pseudoscientific ideas, blending them with their racist and nationalist views. The Nazis engaged in the search for artifacts that could “prove” the ancient Aryan supremacy, even though these ideas were based more on myth and imagination than on legitimate science.

Under Nazi rule, universities and academic institutions were reshaped to serve the regime’s propaganda goals. Professors were expected to align their research with Nazi ideology, and those who refused to conform were dismissed. Many of the great academic institutions in Germany, such as the University of Berlin, were restructured to emphasize Nazi ideology.

The Nazis promoted scientific research that would support their military and racial objectives, funneling resources into projects that would help the war effort or validate their views on racial superiority.

After World War II, many German scientists who had worked under the Nazi regime, including those involved in rocket development and weapons technology, were brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip. This controversial program allowed them to continue their work, especially in the emerging Cold War space race, despite their involvement in Nazi atrocities.

Many scientists who had contributed to the Nazi regime’s war effort or engaged in unethical human experimentation faced little accountability after the war. Some were tried at Nuremberg, but others escaped prosecution, and their work continued to influence scientific advancements in the postwar period.

The Nazis embraced pseudoscience and manipulated scientific research to justify their ideology of racial purity and to further their military ambitions. Simultaneously, they persecuted and suppressed scientific inquiry that did not fit within their worldview, resulting in the loss of truth and lives.

Today, Trumpism embraces pseudoscientific ideas, as well as the rejection or distortion of established scientific consensus.

One of the most prominent instances of pseudoscience in Trumpism has been the denial of human-driven climate change. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the scientific consensus that climate change is caused by human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels.

Trump has referred to climate change as a “hoax,” a term he used to describe the idea of global warming, despite overwhelming evidence from the scientific community supporting its existence and impact.

Under Trump’s leadership, the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement on climate change, a key international accord aimed at limiting global warming.

Trump has rolled back numerous environmental regulations aimed at curbing carbon emissions, often citing the interests of business and economic growth over scientific evidence.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump was frequently associated with the promotion of pseudoscientific claims and misinformation, undermining expert guidance and public health measures.

Trump famously suggested that hydroxychloroquine, a drug initially touted as a potential COVID-19 treatment, could be an effective remedy despite a lack of scientific evidence to support this claim. Later studies and expert opinions revealed the drug’s inefficacy in treating COVID-19, but Trump continued to promote it.

Trump also downplayed the severity of the virus, often making statements that contradicted the advice of public health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He suggested that the virus might “just go away” on its own, and he recommended unproven methods like injecting disinfectant into the body as potential cures.

Throughout the pandemic, Trump cast doubt on the efficacy of face masks and social distancing measures, which were backed by scientific experts, and he downplayed the need for vaccines despite their crucial role in controlling the pandemic.

Trump has made remarks in the past casting doubt on the safety of vaccines, particularly the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella), even though there is no scientific basis for such concerns. The addition of RFK, Jr. to Trump’s cabinet is a nod to his anti-vax/anti-science base.

Trump has suggested a link between vaccines and autism, a claim thoroughly debunked by the scientific community after a fraudulent study was retracted in 2004.

While Trump supported the development and rapid deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine (including through the Operation Warp Speed initiative), some of his supporters and allies continued to promote vaccine skepticism, fueling the broader anti-vaccine movement.

Trumpism has promoted conspiracy theories, many of which involve pseudoscientific ideas or distorted versions of reality.

The far-right QAnon conspiracy gained significant traction during Trump’s first term, promoting the belief that a “deep state” of elites was secretly controlling the world and that Trump was working to expose and defeat this cabal. The beliefs of QAnon have no basis in fact and have been widely debunked by experts, but Trump initially expressed support for some of its adherents and has failed to condemn it.

Following the 2020 election loss, Trump and many of his supporters pushed the false claim that the election was rigged or stolen, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This narrative was spread through various media channels, often citing unverified sources as “evidence” of voter fraud.

Some Trump supporters and figures in his orbit spread the idea that 5G technology was linked to the spread of COVID-19, an entirely baseless claim with no scientific support. This was part of a broader wave of misinformation about the pandemic.

Trumpism also includes a rejection of well-established social science research, particularly related to immigration and race. Trump has been accused of amplifying pseudoscientific arguments about race and genetics, often framing immigration in terms of “threats” from specific racial or ethnic groups. [Trump’s rhetoric on race ignores decades of research in sociology and social sciences showing that issues like poverty, crime and unemployment are deeply tied to structural inequalities and not biological factors.] This rejection of social science is part of a broader political agenda that seeks to undermine expertise in areas like education, criminal justice and economic inequality.

Trump has promoted certain alternative medicine remedies that lack scientific evidence. For example, he suggested that sunlight or the ingestion of disinfectants might be effective treatments for COVID-19. This reflects a broader tendency among Trump’s supporters to gravitate toward pseudoscientific approaches to health and wellness, often dismissing conventional medicine in favor of unverified or fringe theories.

Trump also supported and endorsed alternative health figures like Dr. Stella Immanuel, a Texas doctor who claimed that hydroxychloroquine could cure COVID-19 and also espoused bizarre ideas, such as the belief that gynecological problems were caused by people having sex with demons.

Trump’s relationship with the media has been characterized by a tendency to favor outlets and figures that promote pseudoscience and misinformation. For example, he frequently cited rightwing talk show personalities who espouse conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific claims.

The rise of social media platforms as a source of misinformation has been another key feature of the Trump era, with platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Truth Social and Facebook being used to amplify pseudoscientific claims and conspiracy theories, sometimes even being spread from Trump’s own accounts.

Both Nazis and Trumpism have used science to further political agendas, distorting or rejecting established scientific consensus to justify their ideologies. The Nazis embraced pseudoscientific racial theories to promote ideas of racial superiority and purity, while also suppressing dissenting scientific views, such as modern physics and genetics. Similarly, Trumpism has denied scientific evidence on climate change, promoted misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic and supported conspiracy theories that undermine public trust in expert knowledge. In both cases, scientific truth is manipulated or disregarded in favor of ideologies that fit political needs, leading to harmful consequences, and concerns are growing as Trumpism has taken a decidedly authoritarian turn.

In town hall events hosted by members of the current administration’s party, an interesting phenomenon is on display. DOGE, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, is being ridiculed and attacked for effecting policy changes [by targeting certain work of specific agencies] under the pretext of ridding government of waste, fraud and abuse; the messaging carefully crafted by alt-right, conspiracy internet media is no longer working.

Those who threw their support behind the new president, believing, notwithstanding January 6 and multiple criminal prosecutions, the price of eggs was too high, now voice, in angry protest directed at their elected congressmen, what can only be described as a fierce, though befuddled, rage. So completely misled by the echo chambers which have consistently offered them ready lies, the truth is starting to be glimpsed and mumbled inarticulately.

This may be because the online talkers have failed to explain the current administration’s abandonment of Ukraine, its trade war with the West, and the accessing, etc. of personal data by, and obvious self-dealing of, a Silicon Valley billionaire- all at the expense of everyday Americans.

People are angry, and the town halls show, sadly, that many Americans are fine with immigrants and transgender persons losing their rights and being treated roughly, as long as their food stamps, their medi-caid benefits, and their social security checks are not put at risk. Though perhaps too late, persons are beginning to see what has always been true, namely that the president is a grifter; and now, he has invited his billionaire friends [those who got him elected] to plunder the commons, remove labor protections, and undue the efforts of the last 60 years.

Remind me again what are the opposites of diversity, equity, inclusion? Nothing desirable. I hope the persons yelling at the town hall events figure this out quickly, because our Country is depending on their doing so. We need to help them correctly diagnose the issues and better articulate the problems. We need to help them understand the harms a demagogue, this demagogue, can and will cause.

Those who’ve not forsaken the truth for alternate facts, those who still believe in science, those who continue to claim universal human dignity, those who are not so entrenched in religion or ideology to see, must now engage. We must say what is going on. We must resist our Country being controlled by unelected, would-be, oligarchs by telling the truth. Now is the time.

It’s time for the truths spoken in these town halls [without losing any energy] to be clearly articulated. It’s time, as it were, for some passionate, well-reasoned town hall truth.

Keeping one’s mind and heart open during difficult times is challenging but essential to protect oneself and continue to be a voice. Remember:

• It’s okay to feel upset, scared or uncertain. Rather than shutting off those emotions, accept them without judgment. Allowing oneself to feel and express emotions helps prevent them from building up;

• Being present in the moment can help prevent one from becoming overwhelmed by worries about the future. One can practice mindfulness through deep breathing, meditation or simply paying attention to one’s surroundings;

• During tough times, both for oneself and others, practicing self-compassion and extending kindness to those around one can create an emotional space for healing. It helps one stay connected to others and reduces feelings of isolation;

• Talking to a trusted friend, family member or therapist can help one stay grounded and gain perspective. Sometimes, just sharing what one’s going through can open up emotional channels and bring clarity;

• Reflecting on what truly matters to one—whether it’s love, purpose or growth—can help one stay focused and open, even when everything around one feels difficult. One’s values can serve as a steady anchor when life feels chaotic;

• Focusing on even small things one’s thankful for can shift perspective. It reminds one that there is still light, even in difficult times;

• Difficult experiences often come with the opportunity to grow. Remind oneself that every challenge, while painful, is part of one’s journey and that one has the strength to learn from it;

• While it’s important to be informed, too much negativity, especially from news or social media, can close off one’s mind and heart. Try to balance this with uplifting or neutral content; &

• Exercise can help release built-up tension, reduce stress and improve one’s mood, helping to keep your mind and heart open.

The demagogue seeks to build bonds with a majority of the population by appealing to personal prejudices or exploiting fears or anxieties. Some common hooks of demagogues include:

• Creating a clear distinction between the “in-group” (those who are part of the demagogue’s base or supporters) and the “out-group” (those who are seen as the enemy, whether they are political opponents, minorities, or foreign threats)- this tactic strengthens loyalty within the group and generates fear or resentment toward the out-group;

• Blaming societal problems on a specific group, person, or ideology- this shifts focus away from systemic issues and directs anger or frustration toward a target, creating a sense of unity in opposition to the scapegoat;

• Exploiting powerful emotions like fear, anger, pride, or resentment- by stirring up these feelings, demagogues bypass rational thinking and encourage impulsive reactions that can lead to mass mobilization;

• Presenting themselves as larger-than-life figures who are the only ones capable of solving the problems facing society- this can involve exaggerating their own strengths or abilities, as well as positioning themselves as a “savior” of the people;

• Presenting complicated issues in overly simplistic terms- by offering easy-to-understand solutions, demagogues make it seem like they have the answer to everything, even though the reality may be much more nuanced;

• Resorting to personal attacks on their opponents, portraying them as evil, corrupt or dangerous- this dehumanizes the opposition and undermines the possibility of reasoned discourse;

• Appealing to people’s desire for stability and a return to a “better time”- this might be framed as restoring law and order or bringing back the nation’s former greatness, tapping into nostalgia and anxiety about change;

• Attacking established institutions such as the media, the judiciary or academic communities, portraying them as corrupt or biased- this creates distrust in authority and positions the demagogue as the “truth-teller” who is above these institutions;

• Framing themselves as being the voice of the “common people” against an elite or establishment- this approach emphasizes a supposed connection with the masses and the idea that the demagogue is on their side.

These hooks, often used in combination, enable demagogues to sway public opinion, gain support and consolidate power, undermining democratic principles and institutions in the process thereby. Beware the hooks of the demagogue.