Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump headlined a rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, which opened with a series of vulgar and racist remarks from his allies.
As a longtime New York figure, Trump aimed to leverage the iconic venue, famous for Knicks games and concerts, to deliver his closing argument against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, even though New York hasn’t backed a Republican for president since 1984.
During the rally, Trump focused on his immigration agenda, pledging to end illegal immigration and deport what he termed “vicious and bloodthirsty criminals” if elected on November 5. “On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history,” he asserted, vowing to reclaim cities he claimed had been “invaded.”
Trump disparaged Harris, referring to her as a “very low IQ individual,” which elicited cheers from his supporters. He pledged to abolish sanctuary cities and invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants with criminal records.
The rally featured a diverse array of speakers, from former wrestler Hulk Hogan to ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, with some making offensive remarks that stirred controversy.
Giuliani inaccurately claimed Harris sided with terrorists in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made crude jokes about Latinos and Puerto Rico, prompting backlash. Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin condemned Hinchcliffe’s comments on social media.
While some campaign representatives claimed such remarks did not reflect Trump’s views, the rally’s atmosphere raised concerns about divisive rhetoric. As millions of Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, many are eligible to vote, particularly in battleground states like Pennsylvania, where Harris had been actively campaigning.
Harris responded to the rally, stating it echoed Trump’s divisive and demeaning messaging. Trump’s critics have long accused him of emboldening white supremacists with his inflammatory rhetoric. In response to historical comparisons of his rallies to those in the 1930s, Trump dismissed the claims, insisting, “This is called Make America Great Again.”
The event drew a substantial crowd, with notable appearances, including billionaire Elon Musk, who expressed support for Trump and spoke of potential budget cuts. Trump also discussed various policy proposals, including a tax credit for caregivers.
With just over a week until Election Day and more than 38 million votes already cast, polls show Trump and Harris neck-and-neck in key battleground states. Trump has increasingly linked Harris to the Biden administration’s challenges, particularly regarding immigration and the economy.
As Harris held her own high-profile events with celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé, she emphasized the contrast between her campaign and Trump’s, accusing him of fostering a culture of grievance and retribution. Both campaigns are intensifying their efforts as they approach the critical final stretch before the election.