Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has ignited a firestorm on social media with a post promoting a controversial new book by American Federation of Teachers chief Randi Weingarten.
According to Fox News, Clinton praised the book, titled "Why Fascists Fear Teachers," for highlighting what she calls attacks on public education as a threat to democracy. Her endorsement, posted on Wednesday, has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives who see it as inflammatory rhetoric at a sensitive time.
Clinton's words, including her claim that "authoritarians go after public education because it's a cornerstone of democracy," have been viewed over 2 million times on X. Critics argue this language echoes a long-standing tactic of smearing political opponents, a practice they believe has dangerous consequences.
Clinton's post comes just one week after the tragic assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, a timing that has fueled outrage. Many point to the shooter's reported leftist ideology and notes about "fascists" on shell casings as evidence of rhetoric gone too far.
Republican communicator Matt Whitlock fired back on X, noting the short gap since Kirk's murder by "a lunatic" and questioning the wisdom of pushing such divisive language now. This isn't a moment for piling on labels, but for reflection on how words can incite.
Similarly, American Culture Project senior fellow Corey DeAngelis called out both Clinton and Weingarten for "disgusting rhetoric" so soon after the killing. Doubling down on charged terms like fascist feels reckless when wounds are still raw.
Critics have also taken aim at the core message of Weingarten's book, which hit shelves on Tuesday and frames opposition to certain educational policies as fascist ideology. Restaurateur and Huntington Beach City Council member Andrew Gruel quipped on X that the authors misuse a word they "don't even understand."
Conservative influencer Jack Posobiec highlighted the timing again, juxtaposing Kirk's murder with Clinton's promotion of the book. It's hard to see this as anything but tone-deaf when grief and anger are still fresh.
The Republican National Committee account on X accused Clinton and Weingarten of an inability to restrain themselves from painting Republicans with such a loaded brush. This kind of blanket vilification shuts down any chance of real debate on education policy.
Weingarten, for her part, defended the book in a statement to Fox News Digital, asking if critics have even read it. She described it as "a love letter to teachers," not a political attack.
The book's preview, however, leans heavily on historical parallels, claiming that "attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of fascist regimes." While the intent may be to honor educators, framing policy disagreements as authoritarian overreach risks alienating half the country.
Media pundits have noted a pattern of liberal figures celebrating or downplaying Kirk's death, further tying this rhetoric to real-world fallout. When words like fascist are weaponized, they don't just sting; they can spur action with tragic results.
Fox News Digital reached out to Clinton's office for comment on the backlash but received no immediate response. With the post already viral, the silence only amplifies the controversy.
Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross suggested on X that critics should read "The Room," hinting at a need for broader perspective over knee-jerk labels. It's a subtle jab at the echo chamber that fuels these divisive narratives.
The larger question looms over how political discourse can move forward without such loaded accusations. If education is truly a cornerstone of democracy, as Clinton says, then painting dissenters as enemies of the state is no way to build consensus or heal a fractured nation.
