Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) caused a lot of head-scratching on Sunday when he tweeted a quote from fascist dictator Benito Mussolini:
“We were the first to assert that the more complicated the forms assumed by civilization, the more restricted the freedom of the individual must become.” Benito Mussolini
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) February 24, 2019
Cornyn later retweeted a message explaining that he was warning “against an overly powerful central government” ― and then added a message of his own saying that democratic socialists “have forgotten or never learned the lessons of history, and how their ideology is incompatible with freedom.”
He also complained about the criticism:
Did I over estimate the intelligence of some in the twitter sphere? https://t.co/Cf8nUY3NUO
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) February 25, 2019
However, as the senator’s critics were quick to point out, the quote seemed more than a little unusual given that Mussolini had abandoned socialism and embraced fascism before he seized power in Italy.
The unusual tweets caused the name “Mussolini” to trend on Twitter on Sunday, and many people wondered why Cornyn was highlighting the thoughts of a friend of Hitler’s:
You see what John Cornyn is up to?
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 24, 2019
Oh. Just casually quoting Mussolini. https://t.co/33ZE0WULUf
When you consider the number of Democratic Socialists who were jailed and murdered for opposing Mussolini and Hitler, the true obscenity of this tweet becomes glaring. https://t.co/pHl4nRx4d6
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) February 24, 2019
Lie down with Trump, wake up quoting Benito Mussolini. https://t.co/C75xTkhgT6
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) February 25, 2019
Here's the thing about the Cornyn tweet: Either he erroneously thinks that Mussolini was bragging that Italian fascism curtailed liberty, or he knows that Mussolini was saying fascists are opposed to regulatory left-wing forms of government. Either one is really bad. https://t.co/El7z9qLXXn
— Respectable Lawyer (@RespectableLaw) February 25, 2019
Oooh, do Hitler next #Mussolini https://t.co/i4MQn1rHP0
— Tara F’n Dublin (@taradublinrocks) February 24, 2019
Quoting Mussolini without any context. Niiice. Are GOP Senators celebrating Weird Tweets About Dictators Day? https://t.co/qLMHWzCPn5
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 24, 2019
“No, you don’t get it, I was tweeting a context-less Mussolini quote to attack democratic socialists, whom fascists like Mussolini hated. Haha tricked you libs. You thought it was one of the regular times a congressman tweets Mussolini lmao”
— Kelly Weill (@KELLYWEILL) February 24, 2019
Ah yes Mussolini, whose reign was famously defined by his love of socialists https://t.co/GpyoTMbfUi
— Kate Aronoff (@KateAronoff) February 24, 2019
Me: Why is "Mussolini" trending? That can't be good.
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) February 24, 2019
[looks it up]
Me: Yeah, that tracks.
Apparently we’re at the “elected official quotes Mussolini” stage of the fascist creep. pic.twitter.com/iqQwlczYFU
— New York City Antifa (@NYCAntifa) February 24, 2019
You know who else hated Democratic Socialists, Bud?
— David Walsh (@DavidAstinWalsh) February 24, 2019
Mussolini. https://t.co/1o23D0LCHx
I’m told this is actually a right-wing talking point and what he’s saying is that Mussolini is bad, much like the libs.
— David Klion (@DavidKlion) February 24, 2019
I don’t care, it’s insane either way.
Trump also likes to quote Mussolini. If you’re going full fascist, just get on with it.
— Alt. U.S. Press Sec. (@AltUSPressSec) February 24, 2019
Surprised you are a fan of Mussolini, John...
— Laura Beck (@LLBe11) February 25, 2019
Just kidding. I’m actually not surprised.
The GOP is such a broken party that you have one of the highest senators in the country quoting fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) February 25, 2019
Very normal, not deranged political party. https://t.co/8mOBgSyBWK
Republicans: Stop comparing us to Nazis and Mussolini.
— JRehling (@JRehling) February 24, 2019
Also Republicans:https://t.co/L7kcUL8faq
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.