Criticism of AFT President’s New Book
Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), is facing backlash over her new book that characterizes President Trump as a fascist.
Her promotional tour for “Why Fascists Fear Teachers” has coincided with investigations into the murder of a young political figure, igniting debate about the appropriateness of her timing.
The book’s publisher has labeled it a “manifesto of our time.”
In an excerpt shared by Rolling Stone, Weingarten claims that democracy operates through the power of the people, while fascists centralize power in a single leader or a select group of elites—a situation she believes is unfolding in the U.S. today.
She notes that Trump’s cabinet was reportedly the wealthiest ever, which she sees as a problematic sign for democracy. The real threat, she argues, is that citizens equipped with strong critical thinking skills can genuinely uphold democratic values and resist authoritarianism.
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Weingarten stated that she aims to “explain fascistic behavior” rather than label anyone as fascist.
Weingarten herself has emphasized that her intention was not to directly call Trump a fascist. Instead, she encourages readers to explore why fascists may fear educators.
As the leader of the second-largest teachers’ union in the U.S., Weingarten has stirred controversy with her active promotion of the book, which has drawn attention from various circles, including Hillary Clinton, who supported her on social media.
Clinton praised Weingarten’s work as critical in today’s climate, saying that public education is vital to democracy, especially when faced with attempts to control curricula and ban books.
However, conservative commentators have expressed frustration, arguing that Weingarten’s timing is troubling given recent events surrounding a political assassination. Criticism has mounted, with some calling for her resignation.
In light of these accusations, Weingarten has insisted that critics probably haven’t read her book, claiming it’s a tribute to teachers.
