Supporters of Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump held up posters during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday. – Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump led a rally at New York's Madison Square Garden on Sunday, which started with a series of offensive and racist comments from his associates. Trump, a long-time New York celebrity, aimed to use the iconic venue, known for hosting Knicks basketball games and Billy Joel concerts, to present his final argument against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, despite the state not supporting a Republican presidential candidate since 1984.
Trump repeatedly discussed his plans to stop illegal immigration and deport migrants he labeled as 'vicious and bloodthirsty criminals' if he wins the November 5 election. 'On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history,' he declared. 'I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered.' Trump referred to Harris as a 'very low IQ individual' and received cheers from his supporters for his hardline stance on migrants.
He pledged to ban sanctuary cities, which do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, and to use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants with criminal records. A diverse lineup of opening speakers included former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr. Some speakers used racist and misogynistic language to energize the packed crowd.
Earlier on Sunday, Harris visited a Puerto Rican restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's largest city. She posted a video on social media promising to 'invest in Puerto Rico's future' as president. Harris's campaign stated in an email that the Madison Square Garden rally was 'echoing the same dangerously divisive and demeaning message' as Trump.
Trump's 2016 presidential opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, accused him of 're-enacting' a pro-Nazi rally held at Madison Square Garden in 1939, just before World War Two. Critics have long accused Trump of encouraging white supremacists with dehumanizing and racist rhetoric. Trump dismissed the comparison to the 1930s, stating, 'This is called Make America Great Again, that's all this is.'
Wrestler Hulk Hogan, who spoke at the New York event, rejected accusations that Trump is a fascist, saying, 'I don’t see any Nazis in here.' US billionaire Elon Musk, who supports Trump's re-election bid through his X social media platform and wealth, was welcomed to the stage with chants of 'Elon.' Musk, whom Trump said he would appoint to lead a new government efficiency commission, suggested the federal budget could be reduced by 'at least' $2 trillion.
Trump argued in his speech that Americans are worse off now than four years ago. He announced a new policy to provide a tax credit for caregivers who look after a parent or another family member. Trump also highlighted his foreign policy achievements during his 2017-21 presidency, promising not to start wars, though he added that if the United States were to go to war with China, 'We would kick their ass.'
Polls indicate that Harris and Trump are closely matched in the battleground states that will determine the next president, with just over a week left until Election Day. More than 38 million votes have already been cast nationwide. Trump has attempted to link Harris to the Biden administration's handling of immigration and the economy. Last week, he introduced a new attack line: 'She broke it, and I promise you I will fix it.'
Despite the economy outperforming other developed nations since the Covid crisis and stock markets reaching record highs this year, high prices for food, utilities, and housing have unsettled voters, who feel the economy is heading in the wrong direction. Harris, who held rallies with Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta and Beyonce in Houston, will hold another high-profile event on Tuesday on the National Mall in Washington, where she will emphasize the differences between herself and Trump.
Trump's campaign announced that the event at the 19,500-seat Madison Square Garden, which can cost over $1 million to rent, was sold out. Tickets were free and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, similar to Harris' Houston rally. A crowd of around 30,000 attended Harris' rally with Beyonce in Houston, and about 20,000 attended the Atlanta rally.
When asked about the campaign's internal election projections, Harris told reporters in Philadelphia, 'My internal polling is my instinct. The momentum is with us.'
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