Disgraced former President Donald Trump will hold a rally tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York City, a high-profile venue in a largely Democratic state that has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1984.
The event, described by Trump’s campaign as an “epic” gathering, draws attention as the Republican nominee shifts his focus from key battleground states to New York, where his national profile was first established decades ago.
The Madison Square Garden rally adds to the venue’s politically significant history. In 1939, it was the site of a controversial “Pro-America Rally,” which drew thousands of people in support of Adolf Hitler.
Trump has mimicked Nazi symbols and sympathizers, such as the America First Committee (AFC), an American isolationist pressure group against the United States’ entry into World War II.
The AFC principally supported isolationism for its own sake, and its varied coalition included Republicans, communists, anti-communists, students, and journalists – however, it was controversial for the anti-Semitic and pro-fascist views of some of its most prominent speakers, leaders, and members. The AFC was dissolved on December 11, 1941, four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into the war.
In addition to using the same “America First” title, Trump and his allies appear to employ the same isolationist logic in supporting US withdrawal from NATO and allowing Russia to succeed in its invasion of Ukraine.
The Garden also hosted the 2004 Republican National Convention, held during President George W. Bush’s campaign for re-election amid the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul characterized Trump’s decision as a “white flag of surrender,” questioning the strategic value of campaigning in a state unlikely to sway in his favor.
Hochul suggested that Trump’s return to New York reflects a campaign more focused on reaffirming his New York base rather than targeting undecided voters in competitive states.
Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), is among the anticipated speakers.
Musk’s public support of Trump’s re-election bid has drawn scrutiny, especially regarding his platform’s engagement tactics and cash giveaways tied to the campaign, which some say blur ethical and regulatory lines.
Prominent Republicans, including Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and fired Fox News host Tucker Carlson, are also expected to join Trump on stage.
Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is spending the weekend in Philadelphia, a key city in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania.
Harris is engaging directly with community members, making stops at a local barbershop and a Puerto Rican restaurant to urge voters to cast their ballots early.
Polling indicates a close race in pivotal battleground states, where both campaigns are making their final pushes.
As more than 30 million Americans have already cast early ballots, the turnout suggests an electorate deeply engaged and polarized ahead of the November election.
If re-elected, Trump has signaled a series of proposals that analysts warn would fundamentally shift the structure of American governance toward more authoritarian rule. His plans emphasize a significant expansion of presidential powers and policies that prioritize national identity in ways many critics argue resemble fascist principles.
Trump’s proposals include reasserting presidential control over the executive branch to an unprecedented degree, allowing him to bypass the checks and balances traditionally upheld by independent federal agencies.
By positioning loyalists in key government roles and advocating for a “unitary executive” theory, Trump would gain sweeping authority over the enforcement of laws and regulations, consolidating executive power in a way that deviates from the constitutional norms intended to limit any single branch of government from overpowering the others.
Additionally, Trump has called for reforms that focus on restricting immigration and reshaping American identity in ways critics say blend nationalism with a disregard for individual rights.
Proposed initiatives to control borders with more militarized force, impose loyalty tests for citizenship, and prioritize “American culture” suggest a sharp pivot toward exclusionary policies that evoke historical fascist regimes’ emphasis on “purity” and nationalistic allegiance.
In another significant move, Trump has vowed to target political adversaries and members of the press who he claims are damaging the country, with threats to “restructure” the media and federal law enforcement to crack down on opposition.
This rhetoric has raised alarm among experts who note that limiting dissent, vilifying opponents, and redefining the media’s role are all classic steps in undermining democratic norms in favor of a more authoritarian, fascist-leaning system.
While Trump’s supporters frame these proposals as necessary for “restoring America’s greatness,” his critics argue that they mirror authoritarian and fascist approaches seen throughout history, challenging the core democratic principles of accountability, transparency, and respect for individual freedoms.
A former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a former chief of staff to Trump, and a former defense secretary in his administration have been quoted recently also as describing Trump as a fascist, and the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that President Joe Biden thinks so, too.
Trump repeatedly has called Harris a fascist, as well as a Marxist and a communist.
Among registered voters who say Trump is a fascist, 8% support him anyway.
This comes just days after retired four-star Marine general and former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said Trump fit the “general definition of a fascist” and that he had expressed a desire for generals like Adolf Hitler and that Trump suggested the Nazi leader “did some good things.”
Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff, said the disgraced former president praised Hitler while in office and put personal loyalty above the Constitution.
Harris seized on comments by Kelly from interviews published in The New York Times and The Atlantic warning she also believes the Republican nominee is a fascist,