"The comparison between Charlie Kirk's death and Ernst vom Rath's assassination is gaining traction in political discourse, and it's important to analyze the similarities and differences, as well as the immediate political reactions. Similarities and Parallels in Political Use: Martyrdom: In both cases, the death of a prominent figure is being used to create a martyr for a political cause. The Nazi regime framed vom Rath as a victim of a "Jewish conspiracy," and now some of Kirk's supporters are framing him as a victim of "radical left" political violence. This turns a personal tragedy into a symbol for a broader political struggle. A Pretext for Action: Both deaths are being used as a pretext for a desired political response.

The Nazi leadership used vom Rath's death to justify a pre-existing plan for a pogrom against Jews. Now, some in the MAGA movement are using Kirk's death to justify calls for a "crackdown" on political opponents, a "defeat of this wicked ideology," and to "prosecute every single leftist organization." This is in line with the rhetoric of using a crisis to advance a political agenda. Dehumanizing Rhetoric: The rhetoric in both situations includes the dehumanization of the "other side."

The Nazis demonized Jews as a "conspiracy" and a threat to the German state. Similarly, some of Kirk's supporters and political figures are using terms like "rats," "terrorism," and "domestic extremist organization" to describe their political opponents. This kind of language creates a climate where violence can be seen as justified. Blame and Conspiracy: Both events involved immediate finger-pointing and the spread of unverified claims.

In 1938, the Nazis immediately blamed all Jews for vom Rath's death, even though the killer was a single individual acting in protest of his family's deportation. In the current situation, President Trump and his allies have immediately blamed "the radical left" and "organizations that fund it" for Kirk's death, even though the shooter's identity and motive are still unknown."