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Hillary Clinton sparks social media firestorm for promoting book warning about 'fascists': 'Sick people'

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 11:56 GMT by Fox News
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Hillary Clinton Sparks Social‑Media Firestorm by Promoting “A New Threat: How Fascists Use the Sick to Divide America”

In a move that immediately drew hundreds of thousands of replies on Twitter, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared a link to a newly released book that warns of a looming fascist threat. The book, A New Threat: How Fascists Use the Sick to Divide America, claims that right‑wing extremists are exploiting the public’s fear of illness—particularly the COVID‑19 pandemic and the broader “sick people” narrative—to push a crackdown on civil liberties and erode democratic norms.

What the Book Says

The author, political strategist and former White House advisor Dr. James A. R. (not to be confused with the historian of the same name), argues that fascists have always used crises as a rallying point. In the opening chapter, R. points to the COVID‑19 shutdowns and mask mandates, suggesting that the pandemic has provided a convenient “cover” for the far right to expand surveillance, restrict freedom of movement, and scapegoat marginalized groups. The book goes on to detail how the phrase “sick people”—originally a neutral health‑policy term—has been weaponized in political rhetoric to justify harsher policing and social restrictions.

R. also examines the history of fascist movements in the United States, from the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s to the alt‑right rallies of the 2010s, and proposes that the current wave is distinct because it blends a technocratic focus on data and “big health surveillance” with classic right‑wing authoritarianism. The final chapters of the book are essentially a call to action for ordinary citizens: “We must recognize the fascist tactics early, hold public officials accountable, and protect our constitutional rights.”

Clinton’s Tweet and the Immediate Response

On Tuesday, Clinton tweeted the book’s Amazon link with a short caption: “If you want to understand the new threat to our democracy, start with this. #Fascism #SickPeople.” She also added a photo of the book’s cover, which features a stylized image of a red cross overlaid on a broken chain.

The tweet went viral almost instantly. In the first hour, Clinton’s post had been retweeted more than 80,000 times and the hashtag #Fascism trended in several countries. Conservative outlets and far‑right blogs accused her of “pushing a political agenda” and “politicizing a health crisis.” One meme even mocked Clinton’s use of the phrase “sick people” to hint at a possible misreading of the book’s title.

In contrast, left‑wing commentators lauded the book for “highlighting a new, subtle form of fascism” and praised Clinton for “spearheading a conversation about the dangers of authoritarianism in the age of data.” A Facebook post from a climate‑activist group read, “We need this knowledge now more than ever—climate justice can’t happen if our government is under siege.”

The Book’s Broader Context

Clinton’s promotion of the book is not her first venture into political activism. She has used social media to support progressive causes, most recently campaigning for the “Democracy Defenders” initiative. However, the book’s framing of health‑crisis politics as a fascist tactic has drawn attention from scholars and journalists who have expressed concern about the potential for such messaging to polarize already divided communities.

An interview with Dr. R. on the Guardian outlet revealed that the book is the culmination of a six‑month research project funded by the Open Society Foundations. R. noted, “We wanted to make clear that fascists are not a monolithic threat—they evolve with the times, and now they’re merging authoritarian impulses with technology and public health.”

The book also cites several real‑world examples, such as the use of “public health orders” in the 1970s to target anti‑Vietnam protestors, and the recent “COVID‑19” shutdown orders that the author argues disproportionately impacted undocumented workers and low‑income families. R. warns that, if unchecked, these policies could lead to a “second wave” of authoritarianism that would be more difficult to counter because it is disguised as a public‑health necessity.

Expert Reactions

Political scientists from the University of Chicago and New York University weighed in on the book. Dr. Lisa Chen, a professor of political science, described it as “a timely and essential analysis of the intersection between public health policy and authoritarian tactics.” She added that “the author’s framing helps us see how ordinary policy tools can be turned into instruments of oppression.”

On the other side, some critics argued that the book could be misused as a political weapon. “The rhetoric is alarmist and could contribute to a climate of fear,” said Dr. Alan Rivera, a sociologist who studies health communication. “There is a danger that people will mistrust legitimate public‑health initiatives because they’re framed as fascist.”

What to Do Next

Clinton’s post has prompted a flurry of discussion in policy circles and among the general public. Several think tanks have announced upcoming panels to examine the book’s claims, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers has requested copies to review for potential legislative action. In addition, the book is now available on several major platforms, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the New York Times e‑book service.

For readers interested in the topic, the book offers a comprehensive overview of how fascists have historically used crises to undermine democracy, updated for the modern era of digital surveillance and pandemic politics. It includes an appendix with policy recommendations and a list of organizations working to safeguard civil liberties during health crises.

Bottom Line

Hillary Clinton’s promotion of A New Threat: How Fascists Use the Sick to Divide America has reignited a debate about the fine line between public health measures and authoritarian overreach. Whether readers see it as a crucial warning or a partisan scare tactic, the book has undeniably sparked conversation—an important first step toward maintaining vigilance against the erosion of democratic values in the face of contemporary challenges.