“To compare” is to show the ways in which two (or more) things are similar. “To contrast” is to show the ways in which they are different. This can be done with any people, situations, topics. There are always ways in which A and B are similar; there are always way in which A and B are different.
So everyone needs to stop going hysterical about it.
The Lincoln-Kennedy comparisons come to mind.
Trump was born in 1946.
Lincoln was elected to the House of Representatives in 1846.
In 1965, Trump was attending Fordham University.
In 1865, Lincoln was shot in Ford’s Theatre.