Prominent Right-Wing Figures Accused of Rehabilitating Hitler's Image in U.S. Politics

Washington D.C. – Yair Rosenberg, a staff writer at The Atlantic, has published a new investigative piece titled "The MAGA Influencers Rehabilitating Hitler," asserting that a segment of the American right is actively engaged in downplaying Nazi atrocities and attempting to reframe the historical narrative surrounding Adolf Hitler. The article, released on September 3, 2025, quickly gained traction, with Rosenberg himself stating in a tweet, "This is one of the more important and disturbing pieces I have written about American politics."

Rosenberg's report highlights instances where prominent figures, including podcaster Tucker Carlson and social media personality Candace Owens, have allegedly presented revisionist views of World War II and Hitler's role. The article cites a guest on Carlson's podcast suggesting the U.S. "should have sided with Hitler and fought Stalin," a sentiment Carlson reportedly affirmed. Owens is quoted questioning why Hitler is deemed "the most evil," drawing parallels to the treatment of Germans.

The Atlantic piece details how these figures, despite their controversial statements, maintain significant influence. Carlson's show ranks among top podcasts, and Owens boasts millions of followers across various platforms. Rosenberg argues that this "Reich rehabilitation" is not merely attention-seeking but a deliberate effort to challenge America's post-World War II understanding of itself and its stance against antisemitism.

Historically, the U.S. was largely unsympathetic to the plight of European Jews before the war, with a 1938 Gallup poll indicating 54% of Americans believed Jewish persecution was "partly their own fault." The article posits that the horrors witnessed by American soldiers liberating concentration camps profoundly shifted public perception, making antisemitism "un-American." Rosenberg contends that a new generation of propagandists is now seeking to undo these lessons.

The article also points to other influencers, such as Jake Shields and Myron Gaines, who have made explicit pro-Hitler or antisemitic remarks to large online followings. Rosenberg, known for his focus on politics, culture, religion, and antisemitism, suggests that the current wave of revisionism aims to mainstream views that would have been widely condemned decades ago. He emphasizes the danger of these narratives, particularly as direct witnesses to the Holocaust diminish.