Donald Trump’s recent rally at Madison Square Garden sparked widespread criticism, with many noting the harsh and divisive tone of his speech. The event, attended by figures like Elon Musk and Hulk Hogan, included rhetoric that painted opponents in a bleak light, particularly Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Trump accused of being behind unprecedented “betrayal” and border policies threatening national security.
The event drew thousands of supporters but was also met with backlash, as critics noted similarities between Trump’s aggressive speech and the controversial 1939 pro-Nazi rally held at the same venue. Democratic strategist James Carville highlighted this comparison, emphasizing the chilling historical echoes in Trump’s calls for deploying the National Guard against perceived political enemies on Election Day.
The rally also featured several inflammatory comments from speakers and drew protest from some New York officials, including State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who called on Madison Square Garden to cancel the event due to its “divisive and dangerous rhetoric.”
There was certainly a dark tone throughout the hours-long rally, with one speaker describing Puerto Rico, home to 3.2m US citizens, as an “island of garbage”; Tucker Carlson mocking Harris’ racial identity; a radio host describing Hillary Clinton as a “sick bastard”; and a crucifix-wielding childhood friend of Trump’s declaring that Harris is “the antichrist”.
But he has also portrayed New York City in the most dark and dystopian terms, as a rat-infested haven for drug addicts, gangs and “illegal aliens” housed in luxury apartments while military veterans shiver on the sidewalks.
For those concerned about rising tensions ahead of the election, this rally added another layer to the already polarized landscape as Trump campaigns for a potential second term.
CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash discussed the rhetoric at former President Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Watch.