NEW YORK, Oct 27 – On Sunday, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential hopeful, took center stage at a rally held at Madison Square Garden in New York. The event kicked off with a number of offensive and racially charged comments made by supporters of the ex-president.
For many years, Trump has been a well-known figure in New York and aimed to leverage the occasion at the famous location recognized for hosting Knicks games and Billy Joel performances to present his final case against Democratic contender Kamala Harris, despite the fact that the state hasn’t supported a Republican presidential candidate since 1984.
If he secures victory in the Nov. 5 election, Trump has consistently outlined his intentions to stop illegal immigration and remove migrants whom he characterizes as vicious and bloodthirsty criminals.
On my first day in office, I will initiate the most extensive deportation initiative ever seen in the United States, he stated. I will save every city and community that has been overrun and taken over.
Trump referred to Harris as someone with very low intelligence, prompting applause from his supporters for his strong stance on immigration.
He pledged to eliminate sanctuary cities that do not work with the federal authorities on immigration enforcement and to utilize the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to remove immigrants who have criminal histories.
A diverse array of keynote speakers included everyone from ex-professional wrestler Hulk Hogan to the former Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, as well as Donald Trump’s sons, Eric and Don Jr.
Certain individuals employed racist and sexist language while engaging with a full audience.
Giuliani, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney, inaccurately asserted that Harris supported terrorists in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made inappropriate remarks, suggesting that Latinos have a strong inclination towards procreation, and referred to Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, as a floating island of trash.
Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin shared a video of the remarks on his Instagram, captioning it in Spanish, This is their perception of us.
Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign, informed Reuters that the humor regarding Puerto Rico does not represent the opinions of President Trump or the campaign.
Although Puerto Ricans hold U.S. citizenship, those living on the island are not allowed to participate in general elections in the United States.
Nonetheless, countless Puerto Ricans who have relocated to the continental United States are eligible to vote, and a significant population resides in the key state of Pennsylvania.
On Sunday, Harris stopped by a Puerto Rican eatery in Philadelphia, the biggest city in Pennsylvania. She shared a video on social media where she vowed to commit to Puerto Rico’s future if elected president.
In an email, Harris’s campaign stated that the rally at Madison Square Garden echoed the same harmful and divisive rhetoric as that of Trump.
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate who ran against Trump in 2016, has charged him with recreating a pro-Nazi gathering that took place at Madison Square Garden in 1939, just before World War II began.
For a considerable time, opponents of Trump have charged him with giving strength to white supremacist groups through his derogatory and racist language.
Trump dismissed the analogy to the 1930s, stating, What we’re doing is simply called Make America Great Again, and that’s all there is to it, during his remarks on Friday.
At a New York event on Sunday, wrestler Hulk Hogan stated, This is Donald Trump’s home. He dismissed claims that Trump is a fascist by saying, I don’t see any Nazis around here.
Elon Musk, the American billionaire backing Trump’s campaign for reelection through his social media platform X and significant financial resources, received a warm welcome on stage with supporters chanting his name.
Musk stated that this represents the essence of the positive spirit that defines America.
Musk, whom Trump has indicated he would appoint to head a new commission focused on government efficiency, stated that it would be possible to cut the federal budget by at least $2 trillion.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, discretionary expenditures, which encompass defense costs, are projected to reach $1.9 trillion within a total federal budget of $6.75 trillion for the fiscal year 2024.
In his address, Trump contended that the current situation for Americans has deteriorated compared to four years prior.
He revealed a fresh initiative aimed at offering a tax break to individuals who look after a parent or other relatives.
During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump highlighted his achievements in foreign policy and asserted that he would refrain from initiating any wars while in office. However, he also remarked that if the U.S. were to engage in a conflict with China, We would come out on top.
Recent surveys indicate that Harris and Trump are in a tight race in the key states that will determine the next president, with just over a week remaining until Election Day. Over 38 million ballots have already been submitted nationwide.
Trump has attempted to connect Harris with the Biden administration’s approach to immigration and economic issues. Recently, he introduced a fresh criticism: She caused the problems, and I assure you I will resolve them.
Since the COVID crisis, the economy has surpassed that of other developed nations, with stock markets reaching unprecedented levels this year. However, soaring costs for food, utilities, and housing have unsettled voters, leading them to feel that the economy is moving in a negative direction.
On Thursday, Harris hosted a rally in Atlanta alongside Bruce Springsteen, followed by another event with Beyonce in Houston on Friday. She is scheduled to deliver a significant speech on Tuesday at the National Mall in Washington, where she will emphasize the contrasting qualities between herself and Trump.
Harris remarked in Philadelphia on Sunday that Trump is consumed by bitterness and often uses ominous rhetoric focused on vengeance and payback.
According to Trump’s campaign, the gathering at Madison Square Garden, which has a capacity of 19,500 and can be rented for over $1 million, was fully booked. Admission is free and available on a first-come-first-served basis, similar to Harris’ rally in Houston.
Approximately 30,000 individuals gathered for Harris’ rally featuring Beyonce in Houston on Friday evening, while around 20,000 people showed up for the event in Atlanta.
When questioned by reporters in Philadelphia about the campaign’s internal election forecasts, Harris stated, I rely on my instincts as my internal polling. We are gaining momentum.