MSNBC has been criticized for comparing Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally to a 1939 Nazi rally at the same location.
Host Jonathan Capehart recalled the Nazi rally when talking about Trump’s event on Sunday, saying that “in 1939, more than 20,000 supporters of a different fascist leader, Adolf Hitler, packed the lawn for a so-called pro-America rally.”
MSNBC showed footage of the Nazi rally at the Garden, complete with goose-stepping and Hitler salutes, as Capehart accused Trump of holding a fascist event at the iconic venue.
Capehart added: “In that historical context, Donald Trump – the man who has threatened to use the military against opponents he calls ‘enemies within, who has threatened to use troops to quell what he says are lawless cities and using those troops to carry out mass deportations of immigrants – is once again turning Madison Square Garden into a stage for extremism.’
Social media users expressed outrage at MSNBC for the comparison, with many pointing out that MSG has held many political events in the past, including the 1992 Democratic National Convention.
Social media users, including women’s rights activist Riley Gaines, expressed outrage at MSNBC for the comparison.
MSNBC showed footage of the Nazi rally at the Garden as Capehart accused Trump of holding a fascist event at the iconic venue.
Host Jonathan Capehart recalled the Nazi rally when talking about Trump’s event on Sunday.
One X user wrote: ‘MSNBC just called 20,000 Trump supporters Nazis. Let that sink in.
“They must have forgotten that the Democratic National Committee held their convention there in honor of Bill Clinton,” said another.
A third added: “MSNBC is a shameful extension of the Democratic Party of hate and division.”
But it wasn’t just MSNBC that made the controversial comparison: Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said, “There is a direct parallel to a large demonstration that took place in the mid-1930s at Madison Square Garden.”
Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, also compared his event at MSQ to a Nazi rally, writing, “So we’re really doing this again.” eyes wide open
Walz added: “And don’t think he doesn’t know for a second exactly what they’re doing there.”
Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, also compared his event at MSQ to a Nazi rally, writing, “So we’re really doing this again.” Eyes wide open.’
In recent weeks, Democrats have increasingly begun to brand Trump as a fascist and compare him to Adolf Hitler, as liberal fears of a Trump landslide victory grow.
Kamala Harris herself agreed with a claim that Trump is a “fascist” during a recent television appearance. Despite a dazzling start to her campaign, the vice president appears to have lost her initial momentum.
Polls show the race is too close to call, but many on both the left and right are beginning to predict a humiliating defeat for Harris.
MSNBC’s Capehart is no stranger to on-air controversies: In January, he cried while reflecting on the memory of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The emotional episode unfolded while Capeheart was promoting former DC police officer Michael Fanone’s book about the third anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot.
Fanone cleared his throat uncomfortably as Capeheart became very personal.
Many noted that the MSG has held many political events in the past, including the 1992 Democratic National Convention.
In 2021, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the same MSNBC host announced that he believed Trump supporters are a bigger threat than the Taliban or ISIS.
Capehart called out “MAGA and the domestic threat,” which he said was far “more concerning than any foreign threat,” during an appearance on PBS NewsHour.
Trump’s rally Sunday at Madison Square Garden follows a long series of political events at the historic New York City stadium.
Donald Trump hugs Melania Trump during a rally at Madison Square Garden
The Garden has hosted Democratic and Republican national conventions since the 19th century, and in 1939, thousands of people joined back-to-back pro-Nazi and Communist Party rallies in the run-up to World War II.
Marilyn Monroe took the stage in 1962 to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy, adding to the tradition surrounding what the New York Knicks announcer called “the most famous stadium in the world.”