I love a good historical connection to a present event but the idea that Trump is “re-enacting” a 1939 Nazi rally held in Madison Square Garden because, well, he’s having a rally there is…

Madison Square Garden has seen everything! JFK. Elvis. A Pope or two. Is Trump a secret New York Ranger because he’s holding a rally where the Rangers play? Does he dream of being Mark Messier? Come on.

On its face, the claim is silly. Even if the ignoramus knew the history, why would he do this in the last days of the election campaign? Is he giving a dog whistle to neo-Nazis with a highly refined awareness of, and appreciation for, American history? That category would include, what, maybe two people in America, and I’m pretty sure those two are already voting Trump. So why on earth would he “re-enact” a 1939 Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden? It makes zero sense.

But it’s worse than silly.

At a time when there are very serious allegations that Trump is fascist, and those allegations are being made by people who should know — notably Trump’s former chief of staff — this silly accusation only serves to distract from the substance and give Republicans and Republican-leaners an easy way to laugh off the whole subject. In that sense, it belittles the very claim of fascism. It’s self-defeating.