MSNBC Faces Backlash for Comparing Trump Rally to 1939 Nazi Event, Accusations of Incitement Arise

MSNBC is experiencing significant backlash for using footage from a 1939 Nazi rally during its coverage of former President Donald Trump’s campaign event at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

The left-leaning network aired clips from the historic rally attended by Adolf Hitler’s supporters, comparing it to Trump’s packed rally at the iconic venue. “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,” the anchor stated while showing the footage.

Attendees cheer for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. AP

This juxtaposition sparked outrage among conservatives, who labelled the comparison as “shameful” and highlighted the diversity present at Trump’s rally. “Yesterday’s Trump rally was filled with Americans from every walk of life, including orthodox, conservative, reform, and secular Jews. I saw a woman in a burka. It wasn’t anything like a Nazi rally.

Donald and Melania Trump at the rally. AFP via Getty Images

Shame on MSNBC,” tweeted X user @amuse. Others noted that Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski was among the attendees.

Critics went as far as accusing MSNBC of inciting division. Tesla founder Elon Musk, who spoke at the rally, described the network as the “scum of the Earth” on X.

While Democrats have aimed to project an image of positivity and unity, MSNBC’s coverage seemingly undermined that message by likening Trump supporters to Nazis. “Trump had a Revolutionary Rally in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Footage from 1939. MSNBC

The energy was unmatched, and a promise of a better America was on the horizon,” wrote commentator Sam Mitha. “Liberal media couldn’t handle this, so they ran a propaganda campaign simultaneously. They compared this Trump rally to a Nazi rally in 1939,” he added.

MSNBC directly compares Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally to a 1939 Nazi rally. MSNBC

Pundit Colin Rugg commented, “You don’t hate the media enough. Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski was in attendance at the rally this evening, along with other Jews who were supporting Trump.” Wartski, 94, had endorsed Trump in a recent campaign video and criticised Vice President Kamala Harris for labelling the former president a “fascist.”

Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski and Donald Trump Obtained by NY Post

When asked why Jewish people should support Trump, Wartski replied, “Because he’s a mensch.” Vice President Harris attempted to emphasise hope during her nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, calling for “a new way forward.”