New York City’s Democratic Mayor Eric Adams has refused to categorise Donald Trump as a fascist ahead of the former president’s rally scheduled for Sunday at Madison Square Garden (MSG), pushing back against some of his peers who assert that Trump’s authoritarian leanings meet the definition of fascism.
At a press conference at New York Police Depart (NYPD) headquarters, Adams underscored the former president’s right to free expression, even as heated rhetoric swirls around his 2024 campaign.
The rally is expected to draw 19,000 attendees inside MSG and potentially thousands of demonstrators outside, prompting the NYPD to prepare for heightened security.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell noted, “The department is bracing for a large turnout, and there will be a heavy police presence to ensure safety.”
Adams supported the NYPD’s commitment to maintaining public safety, emphasizing that New Yorkers’ rights to both rally and protest will be safeguarded.
During the press conference, Adams, a moderate Democrat who himself faces ongoing federal corruption investigations, rejected comparisons of Trump to Hitler.
“I know what Hitler has done and what a fascist regime looks like,” Adams stated, highlighting the need for tolerance toward differing viewpoints within democratic bounds.
He added, “Our job is to allow individuals to convey their message peacefully.”
Adams’ defense contrasts with statements from Vice President Kamala Harris, who earlier this week described Trump as a “fascist” during a CNN town hall in Pennsylvania.
Harris’s critique followed retired General John Kelly’s recent remarks to The Atlantic, where Trump’s former chief of staff contended that Trump embraces dictatorial tendencies and has, at times, expressed admiration for Hitler’s leadership model. “He prefers a dictator approach,” Kelly asserted, pointing to Trump’s past admiration for authoritarian figures.
Harris doubled down on her stance, arguing that Trump’s approach to governance represents a threat to democratic institutions.
“He has shown a desire for unchecked power,” she warned, portraying his leadership style as increasingly “unhinged.”
Harris’s campaign has amplified these claims as the November 5 election nears, framing Trump as an existential threat to democratic norms.
Some of Trump’s critics have drawn historical comparisons between Sunday’s MSG rally and a 1939 pro-Nazi event held at the same venue.
Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton joined the fray, calling the rally “a re-enactment” of the Nazi gathering and adding to the chorus of Democrats raising alarms over Trump’s perceived authoritarianism.
The Adams-Trump dynamic took another twist when Trump defended the embattled mayor at the Al Smith Dinner, suggesting a political camaraderie between the two.
Despite their political differences, Adams’ position on Trump’s rally underscores his commitment to free speech in New York City, albeit amid heightened national concerns about Trump’s potential impact on democratic values if re-elected.
While Adams stands firm in his support for peaceful expression, security preparations are underway for what officials expect to be a high-stakes event.
The NYPD plans to block off streets surrounding MSG to manage traffic and designate protest zones while warning against any criminal behavior.
“We will have a safe day tomorrow for all New Yorkers,” assured Interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon, promising rigorous oversight.
With a closely contested race between Harris and Trump, discussions about the future of American governance and democracy are likely to remain front and center in the final weeks leading up to the election.
