Bill Nye, aka the Science Guy, is now facing a wave of backlash from Trump supporters after appearing to compare Donald Trump’s rise to power with Adolf Hitler’s and publicly endorsing Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico just a few days afterward. Nye’s comparison and clear political leanings has thus sparked a fierce debate online, especially since it appears some Trump supporters used to enjoy his show in the past.
Speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative earlier in September, Nye warned that leaders can come to power through democratic processes before becoming authoritarian. “These people come to power and become tyrants and weird because they got voted [in],” Nye said, according to reports. He then invoked Hitler, saying, “Hitler was voted in in a democratic process,” before telling the audience to “keep that in mind.”
Nye prefaced the remarks by joking, “This is going to end my career,” apparently anticipating controversy over his comments. Although he did not name Trump in the quoted passage, the remarks were widely interpreted as a criticism of the president, with Trump-friendly media outlets highlighting the apparent comparison.
The backlash intensified after Nye appeared in a new campaign video supporting Talarico, a former middle school teacher now running for the U.S. Senate in Texas against Republican Ken Paxton. The video launches the “Teachers for Talarico” coalition, with Nye urging Texas educators to support the Democratic candidate.
Talarico has increasingly leaned into endorsements from high-profile entertainers and public figures as he takes on Paxton. He has also appeared with musician Willie Nelson and received praise from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, giving his campaign a growing roster of celebrity supporters.
Bill Nye Drew the Ire of Trump Supporters
While Nye has received plenty of praise from Talarico supporters and liberals, it appears he might have alienated the conservatives among his fanbase. One of them even swore that Nye used to be different: “Bill Nye removed the episode explaining male and female based on chromosomes,” one critic wrote on social media. “Then he became woke, the science didn’t change.”
Another commenter mocked Talarico for receiving support from Nye, writing, “Wow he’s got a science guy from another state trying to convince you to vote for him.” As expected, some commenters also attacked his credentials, writing, “Bill Nye the FAKE scientist with no science expertise!” While another critic declared, “We don’t need a teacher, we need a Leader and Talarico is no leader.”
Some of the backlash also focused specifically on Nye’s historical comparison. Several users pointed out that Hitler was appointed German chancellor by President Paul von Hindenburg in 1933 rather than directly elected as chancellor.
Nye has previously been an outspoken critic of Trump’s policies on climate change, science funding and the environment. His latest comments and Talarico endorsement have now placed the longtime television science educator squarely in another, yet related political controversy.
