The Democratic National Committee has once again set its sights on Donald Trump, this time projecting messages onto an arena where the former president was holding a campaign rally. The rally, which took place at New York’s Madison Square Garden, featured speakers who delivered racist and authoritarian rhetoric.
Projected onto the venue were messages such as “Trump praised Hitler,” “Trump = Cheat,” “Trump = Unhinged,” and “Trump = Unfit.” DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman stated that these projections were meant to serve as a reminder to voters about the dangers of Trump’s behavior.
Rahman emphasized that Trump’s increasingly unhinged behavior and his quest for unchecked power to implement his controversial Project 2025 agenda are cause for concern. The Democrats want to remind voters that Americans cannot afford to have a leader who exhibits unstable and unwell behavior, even at his own rallies.
The decision to project these messages comes amidst Trump’s escalating use of extreme rhetoric in the final stages of the White House race. Concerns over his cognitive health have also been raised following bizarre and erratic behavior on the campaign trail. John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, recently warned that he believes Trump embodies the characteristics of a fascist and would govern like a dictator if elected. Kelly also revealed that Trump had praised Hitler to him on multiple occasions.
This tactic of projecting messages has been used by Democrats on several occasions during the 2024 campaign. Prior to the vice presidential debate on October 1, the DNC projected a statement from Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, onto Manhattan’s Trump Tower. The message read, “Vance on Trump: ‘What an idiot,'” referencing a tweet from the Ohio Republican in October 2016.
In a previous instance, during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, anti-Trump messages were projected onto Trump Tower in the city. This strategic messaging serves as a way for the DNC to convey their concerns about Trump’s behavior and policies to the public.
The use of projected messages has proven to be an effective tool for the DNC in drawing attention to Trump’s controversial actions and statements. As the 2024 race for the White House heats up, it is clear that the Democrats are determined to keep the spotlight on Trump’s behavior and the potential consequences of his leadership.
