The image of Hegeseth is real, at the 5 second mark in this video

The image of Hitler may be altered

It's definitely not a good sign when we're talking about a picture of Hitler being a Nazi is AI generated, but it's a given that Hegseth being a Nazi is legitimate.

The Swastika is somehow completely flat but the flag is folded. It's a not real image

It's definetly slop.

I agree the Hitler image is fake or modified. The Reichsadler is made to look even more similar to the Department of "War" eagle. The usual head shape of the Reichsadler was a little more burly and less like a bald eagle, I'd say.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country...

"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

-Benjamin Franklin

It's not odd. It's a perfect fit for them. It's intentionally on brand

RAM prices

More like a fog horn.

Dog whistle implies they’re trying to hide it

More of a train whistle. And that train is heading for the camps.

This regime is symbol minded though, they do this shit on purpose.

The new name is oddly truthful, really not in line with their common stance on truth.

American fascism was a huge inspiration for German fascists.

In fairness, Hitler was a greasy little bitch too.

Fasces are bundles of sticks, not arrows. The American eagle has always held arrows, along side an olive branch. Peace and aggression juxtaposed. Unless you're saying that the US has always been a fascist state hiding in plain sight, it's not the same symbology.

As to "faggot" meaning a bundle of sticks, yes that's one (non-slang) definition of the word. Another is a type of meatball. The slur having any relation to the "bundles of sticks" definition is urban legend

Hegseth has obviously nazified the eagle, and made himself echo Hitler in an ill-fitting suit, for sure, but the links you're coming up with are just bollocks.