Donald Trump campaigned at Madison Square Garden to a packed house of die-hard supporters, with celebrities and a mix of politics and entertainment. The location was New York City, after all—a place he considers to be home turf. Designed to energize his base while cutting through the final noise of the 2024 presidential race, the event sparked immediate controversy with some off-color remarks and a few high-profile appearances—showcasing both the pull and the risks of Trump’s campaign style.
The rally was packed with celebrities and packed with drama.
The event began with several celebrities and political personalities taking the stage, creating an atmosphere akin to a political rally and concert. Other notable attendees included surprise appearances from Hulk Hogan, Dr. Phil, Tucker Carlson, and Rudy Giuliani, all of whom supported Trump. Even Trump could bring in Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, two former Democrats now supporting his camp.
But the most controversy came from comedian Tony Hinchliffe, better known by the nickname “Kill Tony.” His attempt to elicit laughter from Puerto Rican Latinos faced immediate condemnation. Already, Florida Senator Rick Scott and the Republican Party of Puerto Rico are weighing in; Scott termed the jokes inappropriate and not funny, while insisting they are inaccurate. End.
This article describes Trump’s “Fix It” promises and his attacks on Harris.
Trump leveraged his bully pulpit and trademark confidence to assign blame to Vice President Kamala Harris for everything from inflation to immigration, which he said is a broken system under the leadership of Democrats. “I’m telling you,” Trump said, “his whole thing is ‘Trump will fix it.’ It doesn’t fix it.” Targeting Harris, Trump repeatedly asserted that her policies “are terrible for this country, terrible for its economy, and terrible on immigration.”
As the crowd chanted “send them back” to his immigration policies, Trump continued his assault, declaring that the United States is an “occupied country” but will be free under his leadership. His rhetoric grew more belligerent as he called Democrats “the enemy from within,” a label he defended despite controversy surrounding its divisiveness.
Is it a swing state or a long shot?
Political pundits criticized the rally’s location, pointing out that it is a staunchly Democratic state that likely won’t vote Republican in the future. Even rival-turned-adviser Vivek Ramaswamy confessed he got such criticism when his billionaire friend asked him why he and Trump aren’t holding their rally in one of those swing states. And Ramaswamy shot back, “New York is a swing state. The crowd was captivated by his bold staging of his homecoming among New Yorkers.
After his New York rally, Trump will hold rallies in Atlanta, Allentown, and Green Bay targeting swing states where his poll numbers show a better chance of flipping the vote.
Trump Ties Legacy to Madison Square Garden
To play up Trump’s long-standing connection to New York, the event highlighted his storied history with Madison Square Garden, which has hosted icons from Elvis Presley to the Grateful Dead. Trump has frequented the venue for years, often attending boxing matches and UFC fights—a connection speakers stressed to rally New York pride.
Donald Trump, according to his running mate J.D. Vance, is “the greatest champion” to have ever entered Madison Square Garden. Nevertheless, these speakers faced competition from Donald Trump Jr., a former U.S. President’s son, who was present among the crowd. During his speech, he referred to President Trump Jr. as “the king of New York.” This pronouncement drew thunderous applause. His wife, Lara, further verified it by stating that the city had taught him to be resilient and hard. Many people within his support base find this quality appealing.
Outside Voices: Protesters and Counter protesters
Not everyone was pleased that Trump was coming back. Protesters lined Eighth Avenue, showing signs in opposition to Trump and his policies. Some even called the rally a “Nazi rally,” a reflection of the intense division felt regarding his candidacy. Inside the hall, some opponents of Trump had infiltrated the crowd, donning red MAGA hats, to gain a firsthand view of the event. Marty Nagel, an anti-Trump Long Island attorney, attended the rally incognito, saying he wanted to see the effect of Trump’s message as the election neared.
A High-Stakes Final Push
With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden underlines a high-risk, high-reward strategy. While the rally in Madison Square Garden was exciting and attention-grabbing for his base, it also risked alienating swing voters, particularly Latinos and Puerto Ricans, due to Hinchliffe’s controversial jokes. The final push of Trump’s campaign will concentrate on swing states such as Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where he plans to rally with sports icons and faithful supporters.
Trump now enters the final week of the campaign with a clear message: “Make the show, parade himself in front of people, and whip up the enthusiasm of the hardcore electorate to step out and cast votes.” Of course, polls will soon reveal what he believes will transpire, as the electoral contest appears to be evenly matched, with Hillary Clinton vying to unseat the highly unpopular incumbent Trump. The outcome of the contest will primarily hinge on the level of voter turnout in swing states.
