Podcast Summary: History Daily — "Nazis in New York"

Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Lindsay Graham
Episode Theme: The German-American Bund’s 1939 Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden and the American response to fascism.

Episode Overview

This episode of History Daily takes listeners back to February 20, 1939, when 22,000 people gathered in Madison Square Garden, New York City, for the largest pro-Nazi rally in U.S. history — orchestrated by the German-American Bund. Hosted by Lindsay Graham, the episode explores the rise of fascism in America during the 1930s, the efforts of journalist Dorothy Thompson to sound the alarm, and the dramatic protest of Isadore Greenbaum, a young Jewish plumber whose solitary act of defiance captured the nation’s attention.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Nazis in the Heart of New York

• [00:40] The episode opens with the vivid account of Isadore Greenbaum attending the pro-Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden. Surrounded by swastikas, Nazi armbands, and 22,000 German-American Bund supporters, Isadore listens to hate speech from Fritz Kuhn before taking bold action to disrupt the rally:
  • "Isidore pushes his way through the crowd and charges onto stage right at Fritz Kuhn himself...he grabs the microphone cable and yanks it hard, silencing the fascist tirade." — Lindsay Graham ([00:40])
  • Greenbaum yells "Down with Hitler!" before being tackled by Bund stormtroopers.

2. Dorothy Thompson: The Crusading Journalist

• [05:37] Introduces Dorothy Thompson, a renowned American journalist expelled from Nazi Germany in 1934 for her critical reporting on Hitler:
  • "She described [Hitler] as a little man in stature, morality and intellect." — Lindsay Graham ([06:54])
  • Upon returning to the U.S., Dorothy used her newspaper columns and radio broadcasts to warn of fascism’s threat at home and abroad, often being dismissed as alarmist.
  • Repeatedly exposes homegrown extremist groups — the Ku Klux Klan, the Order of the Black Shirts, and the German-American Bund.
  • Notable warning: "They all espouse similar hate and violent disregard for democracy and the rights of others." — Lindsay Graham ([08:56])

3. The Rise of the German-American Bund

• [12:59] Looks at the Bund’s activities, including Camp Siegfried on Long Island:
  • Children in Nazi-inspired uniforms, swastika banners, and Nazi salutes are described.
  • Fritz Kuhn, a German immigrant and the Bund’s leader, is depicted as a “noisy patriot” who combines anti-communist rhetoric with virulent antisemitism.
  • Kuhn leverages America’s economic troubles to scapegoat minorities and immigrants, echoing Nazi propaganda.
  • Quote regarding Kuhn’s demagoguery: "[He] knows how to work a crowd combining noisy patriotism with racist insults to stir his listeners to both anger and applause." — Lindsay Graham ([14:05])

4. Free Speech vs. Hate Speech: The Controversial Rally

• [16:39] New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia’s decision to allow the rally, citing the importance of exposing fascism:
  • "La Guardia decides that even Nazis have the right to free speech... exposing them for what they really are will only discredit the group further." — Lindsay Graham ([16:56])
  • Heavy police presence — over 2,100 officers — is deployed amid fears of violence from both Bund supporters and anti-fascist protesters.

5. The Madison Square Garden Rally and Greenbaum’s Heroism

• [00:40, 19:50] Recounts the events of the infamous evening:
  • Isadore Greenbaum is beaten by Bund security but rescued by NYPD officers ([19:50]).
  • Dorothy Thompson attends as part of the press, loudly mocking the proceedings before joining the larger anti-Nazi protest outside.

6. Aftermath: Public Backlash and the Bund’s Decline

• [19:50] The rally backfires:
  • Public reaction to the event is overwhelming disgust; the Bund’s membership stagnates.
  • "America is repulsed by what it sees." — Lindsay Graham ([20:33])
  • As WWII begins later that year, the Bund dissolves under federal investigation. Kuhn is imprisoned for embezzlement and eventually deported.

7. Legacies of Protest and Resistance

• [20:55] Greenbaum’s story post-rally:
  • He is fined $25 for disorderly conduct, but is unrepentant and later serves in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • "He was just one of countless millions who bravely stood up to fascism... whether it was on the battlefield, in the newspapers, or in the heart of Manhattan." — Lindsay Graham ([21:38])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Isadore Greenbaum’s Protest:
  • "Isidore manages to scream down with Hitler." ([01:49])
• Dorothy Thompson’s Critique of Hitler:
  • "She described him as a little man in stature, morality and intellect." ([06:54])
• On Hate at Home:
  • "They all espouse similar hate and violent disregard for democracy and the rights of others." ([08:56])
• On Mayor La Guardia’s Stance:
  • "Even Nazis have the right to free speech... exposing them for what they really are will only discredit the group further." ([16:56])
• After the Rally:
  • "America is repulsed by what it sees." ([20:33])
  • "He [Greenbaum] was just one of countless millions who bravely stood up to fascism..." ([21:38])

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | | :--------: | -------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:40 | Opening: Greenbaum at Madison Square Garden rally | | 05:37 | Dorothy Thompson’s expulsion and her activism in the U.S. | | 12:59 | Camp Siegfried; Fritz Kuhn’s American Nazi activities | | 16:39 | Free speech debate and preparations for the rally | | 19:50 | The rally: Greenbaum’s protest, Thompson’s reaction, and aftermath | | 20:55 | Decline of the Bund; Greenbaum’s and America’s legacy |

Tone & Style

Lindsay Graham delivers the narrative with clarity, vividness, and a sense of urgency—mixing dramatic reenactment with well-researched historical exposition. The episode balances somber warnings and inspirational stories of resistance, honoring the bravery of those who stood against hate.

Summary

Nazis in New York powerfully recounts a shameful but pivotal episode in American history, revealing how fascism threatened the nation’s ideals from within and how ordinary citizens and determined journalists like Isadore Greenbaum and Dorothy Thompson bravely fought back—reminding listeners that vigilance against hate is always necessary.