Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally draws comparisons to 1939 pro-Nazi rally
Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump speaks as he participates in a town hall presented by Spanish-language network Univision, in Doral, Florida, US on October 16, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
Donald Trump’s recent rally at Madison Square Garden (MSG) has stirred debate, with some opponents likening it to a 1939 Nazi gathering held at the same venue. The rally, which saw thousands of Trump supporters gather, was marked by a charged atmosphere. Trump’s campaign has been criticized for holding the event in MSG, a site that once hosted the German American Bund’s pro-Nazi rally in 1939, where swastikas adorned the stage just months before the outbreak of World War II.
Critics argue the venue choice was deliberate, given Trump’s divisive reputation. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Trump of “re-enacting” that infamous rally, calling him “more unhinged” than in 2016. Trump’s team refuted Clinton’s remarks, with a spokesperson describing the comparison as “disgusting,” noting that Clinton herself held events at MSG, and her husband Bill Clinton accepted the Democratic nomination there.
Former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly also stirred discussion, recalling how Trump once reportedly expressed admiration for the obedience shown by Nazi generals to Adolf Hitler, a claim Trump has denied. Kelly’s comments followed statements by former military advisers who described Trump as “fascist to the core,” further fueling concerns among his critics.
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, a rally speaker, dismissed the Nazi rally comparisons, telling Sky News, “That’s not even a question… opponents are dumb and they’re losing.” Trump’s critics argue the rally underscores his authoritarian ambitions, while his supporters view the backlash as “controversy as background noise” that won't affect Trump’s standing in the race.