MSNBC stirred controversy Sunday night by airing clips from a 1939 Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden during its coverage of Donald Trump’s campaign event at the same location. Host Jonathan Capehart drew parallels between Trump’s rally and Adolf Hitler’s infamous “pro-America” gathering, suggesting the historic venue has once again become a platform for extremism.
The network’s segment featured black-and-white footage of uniformed men making Nazi salutes alongside Capehart’s narration. He accused Trump of fostering a “fascist” environment, citing Trump’s calls for military action against domestic enemies and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. The imagery and rhetoric used by MSNBC were criticized as sensational and inflammatory.
“But that jamboree happening right now, you see it there on your screen in that place, is particularly chilling because in 1939, more than 20,000 supporters of a different fascist leader, Adolf Hitler, packed the Garden for a so-called pro-America rally,” MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart said on air.
Among the speakers at Trump’s rally were Senator J.D. Vance, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and UFC President Dana White, signaling broad support from high-profile figures. Musk, a prominent attendee, blasted MSNBC’s broadcast, calling the network “utter scum of the Earth” on social media. Musk shared images from the rally, showcasing a diverse crowd that included Orthodox Jews, African Americans, and women wearing burkas, challenging MSNBC’s narrative.
Jerry Wartski, a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, also condemned the comparison. “It’s offensive and irresponsible to liken Trump to Hitler,” he said, emphasizing that Trump’s rally represented a wide spectrum of Americans. Critics argue that MSNBC’s coverage not only distorts history but also fuels divisive rhetoric in an already polarized political climate.
Meanwhile, Trump campaign officials denounced the segment, labeling it as biased media coverage aimed at undermining the Republican candidate’s re-election bid.
