In the grand tradition of political hyperbole, here we are again—watching Democrats scream “fascism” at the mere sight of a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden. Fox News rightly pointed out the absurdity of it all. It is the same worn-out script they dust off whenever they need a bogeyman—back when the word “fascist” meant something more than ‘the guy who disagrees with me on economic policy.’
Let us address the elephant in the room—or rather, the elephant at MSG. The Democrats would have you believe that a rally in an arena famous for hosting everything from NBA Finals to Rick Nelson’s “Garden Party” is somehow evocative of Nazism. Really? And for those who are reaching back into history to make this point, let us get something straight: this is not even the same Madison Square Garden that existed in the 1930s, and it is not in the same location either. That building was razed long ago—just as this “all Republicans are fascists” trope should be. By that logic, every Rangers penalty box is a re-education camp, and every sold-out concert at the Garden is just one step away from an authoritarian coup. This comparison is so absurd it deserves an award for historical malpractice. MSG has seen more events, games, and performances than most Democrats have attended protests, and somehow, the Garden did not morph into a fascist amphitheater. Suggesting that Trump speaking at this venue transforms it into a symbol of fascism is beyond a stretch—it is a parody of serious thought.
And yet, this latest attempt to vilify Trump is not just historically illiterate; it is politically reckless. After Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” debacle—which cost her more votes than she would probably like to admit—you would think the Democrats would have learned. But no, the Harris-Walz camp seems determined to recreate that embarrassment by smearing Trump supporters with yet another grossly misleading label. For a party that claims to champion democracy, they sure seem comfortable with alienating millions of voters. It makes you wonder—why does it seem easier for them to get outraged at Republicans than, say, at Hamas or Hezbollah?
This Nazi comparison is not new. Democrats have been slapping the “fascist” label on Republicans since 1940 when they suggested voting for Wendell Wilkie was akin to endorsing a coup. And guess what? Wilkie was not a fascist. In fact, FDR recruited him as a key diplomat to help build the alliance that defeated actual fascism. Funny how history works. But here we are again, dealing with the same lazy accusations that magically find their way into every election cycle.
No, I was not around for the political bludgeoning of Wendell Wilkie or his post-election metamorphosis into FDR’s diplomatic point man in the fight against actual fascism. But I was certainly around during the reign of the shadowy and menacing Reichsmarschall of the early 21st century, Dick Cheney. He was seemingly always perched at an undisclosed, secure location—likely a modern-day Berghof somewhere in the wilderness of western Wyoming. Cheney’s whereabouts were as obscure as his influence—along with his well-publicized firearm mishap.
And, of course, I remember former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who somehow never managed to hold a single press conference during her tenure. Yet, miraculously, she rediscovered her voice in time for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where she wasted no time in skewering her old boss. So yes, I have seen this play out before—and I know how these things go.
The hysterical rhetoric keeps climbing, even as we have already seen two assassination attempts on Trump. Democrats fuel the fire, then feign surprise when the flames rage higher. Kamala Harris claims she is “turning the page,” but the script feels all too familiar. Maybe the problem is staring them in the face—but self-reflection does not appear to be part of the playbook.
Meanwhile, these same Democrats, while busy demonizing Trump, are engaging in their own demolition derby—tearing apart constitutional norms as they go. They claim to defend democracy, yet they are pushing to pack the Supreme Court, eliminate the Electoral College, and admit new states—territories, by the way, which have not exactly shown a burning desire to join the Union—all to tilt the balance of power in the Senate. It is as if they see themselves as referees who can rewrite the rulebook whenever the score is not in their favor.
And all this while accusing Trump of being a dictator-in-waiting. They warn us that he will go after his “enemies within” if he wins, which is rich, considering that is exactly what they seem eager to do themselves.
Speaking of hypocrisy, let us talk about their own primary process. Exactly when was the last time the Democrats had a presidential primary without shady backroom dealing or unscrupulous maneuvering? They are always unseating their own president or blocking another primary candidate in an insider coup. They claim to be champions of the people, but their actions speak louder than their slogans. The consequence of this Democrat Party demolition derby and hyperbolic outrage is real damage to our traditional notions of constitutional governance.
And let us not overlook their attempts to portray themselves as everyday Americans. Take Tim Walz, for example. He loves to talk about hunting pheasants, but he has the wrong shotgun for the job and could probably use a little range time to figure out how to operate it. And Kamala? When she talks about protecting personal freedom, I have to wonder if she has ever even seen a Glock outside of a Hollywood movie. Kamala, is that magazine California-compliant? Do you keep it in your purse when you are strolling through D.C.?
In the end, this strategy of throwing around Nazi comparisons and doomsday scenarios is not just misguided—it is likely to backfire. Voters are smarter than that. What the country desperately needs is less hysteria and more clarity, but instead, Democrats are giving us more noise than a Diddy concert at the real MSG. If this is their plan to “protect democracy,” they might want to reconsider—before they end up protecting it from themselves. Maybe it is time they stop rehearsing their next attack lines and start looking in the mirror.
Charlton Allen is the founder and editor-in-chief of The American Salient and the founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc. Learn more about him at charltonallen.org.
