NYC Mayor Eric Adams defended Donald Trump on Saturday, rejecting recent claims from prominent Democrats that the former President is a “fascist” comparable to Hitler.
“I have had those comments hurled at me by some political leaders in the city; my answer is ‘No,’” Adams said when asked about the ongoing criticism of Trump.
“I know what Hitler has done, and I know what a fascist regime looks like. I think, as I have called for over and over again, that the level of conversation can be dialed down,” said Adams, a moderate Democrat currently facing federal corruption charges.
Adams made these remarks during a press conference in Manhattan, where he outlined the heightened police presence planned for Trump’s Sunday rally at Madison Square Garden.
The controversy surrounding Trump gained new traction this week when Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden launched attacks based on allegations that Trump once praised Hitler during his time in office.
These allegations, first reported by The Atlantic, were later corroborated by Trump’s former White House chief of staff, retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly.
During a recent CNN town hall, Harris referenced Kelly’s account, urging voters to listen to his statement on Trump’s comments. “Donald Trump said, essentially, ‘Why aren’t my generals like those of Hitler’s, like Hitler,’” she told the audience. Harris, speaking to voters in Pennsylvania, added that “this is a serious, serious issue,” and accused Trump of admiring dictators. When directly asked if Trump is a “fascist,” Harris replied, “Yes.”
In response, Trump has adamantly denied making any positive remarks about Hitler, dismissing The Atlantic as a “failing magazine.”
Harris’ campaign issuing multiple press releases repeating Kelly’s claims, including Trump’s reported comment that “Hitler did some good things” by “rebuilding the [German] economy.”
Meanwhile, some of Harris’ allies are linking Trump’s upcoming rally at Madison Square Garden to a 1939 Nazi gathering held at the same venue.
Hillary Clinton, speaking on CNN’s The Source, commented that Trump is “actually re-enacting the Madison Square Garden rally in 1939,” adding fuel to the criticism.
Yet Adams pushed back on suggestions that Trump’s rally should be canceled, emphasizing the importance of free expression. “This is America.
This is New York, and I think it’s important that we allow individuals to exercise their right to get their message clear to New Yorkers,” he said. “And our job as a city and as a Police Department is to make sure they can do that in a peaceful way.”
To prepare for Sunday’s rally, the NYPD announced robust security measures, including designated areas around Madison Square Garden for protestors.
“You will see a heavy uniform presence around The Garden,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell stated.
“We’ll see heavy weapons teams, counter-terrorism, aviation, and blocker vehicles. We are the best at what we do. We prepare for protests every day, and we will have a very safe day tomorrow for all New Yorkers.”
Adams’ defense of Trump and his call to “dial down” inflammatory rhetoric underscore his position as a moderate Democrat at odds with some of his party’s more progressive leaders.
Amid criticism and ongoing federal investigations, Adams maintained that New York City must uphold free speech.
