Opinion | The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect Sarah Palin's view.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently disagreed with Vice President Kamala Harris by claiming that former President Donald Trump is not a “fascist.” He urged Democrats to moderate their rhetoric moving forward.
Adams denied any communication with Trump’s campaign regarding the Madison Square Garden rally and rejected the “fascist” label for Trump.
“You know, I have had those terms hurled at me by some political leaders in the city, using terms like Hitler and fascists. My answer is no. I know what Hitler has done and I know what a fascist regime looks like,” Adams said.
Adams defended Trump’s right to hold a rally and emphasized the need for civil political discourse. He then pressed New York City’s role in ensuring a peaceful event.
“I think, as I’ve called over and over again, that the former president should not be able to have a rally in Madison Square Garden. I strongly disagree,” Adams said.
“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. And our job as a city and as a police department is to make sure they can do that in a peaceful way.”
He warned against escalating political rhetoric, noting that extreme language could affect governance post-election.
“I think that we must be extremely cautious. The heat we turn up today, pre-election, is going to have to be the heat we’re going to have to govern in. And I think we need to show a level of respectable communication,” Adams said.
“And so when people called me fascist and other terminologies, I didn’t like it. I don’t think it’s fitting to anyone to state that a former president is equal to being Hitler,” he said.
Adams also addressed accusations against him and the city’s Jewish community.
“I just think that this is a city where we have the largest Jewish population. Anti-Semitic issues that we’re facing in the city. Let’s have a safe, fair, democratic process and show the globe how we’re able to do it correctly,” he concluded.
