A media training session at the organization's annual conference provided a rare look inside the effort to control the narrative.

PHILADELPHIA — Last week, a local Indiana chapter of Moms for Liberty attracted attention for quoting Adolf Hitler in its newsletter. After the local paper reported the story, the group added additional “context” but kept the quote. Eventually, after it faced even more scrutiny, the organization removed the quote and apologized in a statement posted to its Facebook group.

That, however, was a big mistake, according to advice at the Moms for Liberty national conference’s media training session Friday.

“Never apologize. Ever,” said Christian Ziegler, the chairman of the Florida Republican Party. “This is my view. Other people have different views on this. I think apologizing makes you weak.”

He advised the attendees to instead make it clear that the Hitler comment was “vile” but to immediately pivot to make the point that Hitler indoctrinated children in schools and that that’s what Moms for Liberty was fighting against. Ziegler warned that any apology would become the headline, so that should be avoided.

You read that right. He said to not apologize for quoting Hitler. That’s what we’re dealing with now.

  • @BraBraBra
    3•11 months ago

    It occurs to me there is no precedent for you to infer genocide from this joke, though. Sherman committed no genocide.

    • Dienervent
      1•11 months ago

      If I learned anything from playing Civilzation, even when you win a neighoring city over to your side with culture or trade alone, they’re always going to be a problem. It’s better to just raze the whole damn thing to the ground and start over in the same spot.

      That’s genocide.

      • @BraBraBra
        1•11 months ago

        That’s not what he suggested to be done in real life. That’s a point about being unable to strike a balance between two groups who do not see eye to eye. His only real life suggestion was that a general should’ve continue his efforts further towards the sea. That’s not genocide, that’s simply war.

        • Dienervent
          1•11 months ago

          That’s a point about being unable to strike a balance between two groups who do not see eye to eye.

          Yes, it’s a fundamental problem of life. Some people suggest compromise. Some people suggest a different kind of solution. A “final” solution so to speak.

          Now you read this quote again and you tell me: Which of these solution does he suggest is best?

          If I learned anything from playing Civilzation, even when you win a neighoring city over to your side with culture or trade alone, they’re always going to be a problem. It’s better to just raze the whole damn thing to the ground and start over in the same spot.

          • @BraBraBra
            1•11 months ago

            He was speaking in context of the game.