In the last days of his campaign, former President Donald Trump will fulfill a long-standing ambition: a rally at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. Known for his love of New York and an appreciation for the city’s Broadway scene, Trump is set to deliver a matinee performance at the legendary venue, joined by musical acts and prominent Republican supporters.
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This rally marks a return to the state where Trump established his business empire and recently faced several high-profile legal battles.
‘Make New York Great Again’
Trump described the upcoming rally as a moment of celebration and a closing chapter on his years of campaigning. “It’ll be a great time, really a celebration of the whole thing, you know, because it’s coming to an end. Then, I’ll be campaigning to make America great,” he shared in a Thursday interview with Cats & Cosby on local radio.
In the lead-up to the rally, Trump dialed into a “tele-rally” hosted by the New York Republican Party, where he depicted New York City as a city in decline, marked by rising crime and an influx of migrant populations. He also expressed concern over wealthy residents leaving New York, which he argued could severely impact the city’s tax base.
“We’re going to have to create incentives for New Yorkers to stay,” he said. “And rich people are leaving…that means taxes of hundreds of millions of dollars. We can’t let it happen.”
Trump attributed the city’s challenges to Democratic policies but expressed a willingness to work with both parties to “make New York great again.”
Campaign Trail and Courtroom Appearances
In a unique campaign strategy, Trump has been dividing his time between campaign events and court appearances, using his legal challenges as a rallying point against what he calls “the weaponization of government.” He maintained a consistent presence on the campaign trail during his seven-week criminal trial earlier this year, including stops in the Bronx and Long Island, aimed at gaining support from Hispanic and Black communities.
Despite New York’s status as a solidly Democratic state, Trump has consistently hinted at the possibility of flipping it red, a feat no Republican has achieved in the last nine presidential elections.
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Trump’s Final Campaign Event in New York vs. Harris in D.C.
Sunday’s rally will feature prominent allies, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik. Several of Trump’s family members and high-profile donors, such as close friend Steve Witkoff, are also expected to attend.
In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to hold her own closing rally on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., a site of significance due to Trump’s speech there on January 6, 2021, before the Capitol attack.
Reflecting on his long political journey, Trump said, “It’s New York, but it’s also the end of my campaigning. When you think about it, I’ve done it for nine years, and we’ve had two great elections. One was better than the other.”
A Campaign Strategy Beyond Battleground States
The New York rally is part of a strategic push to connect with national audiences through high-profile venues outside of traditional battleground states. This approach aims to amplify Trump’s message to broader audiences in key media markets. Recently, he visited Texas to spotlight immigration issues, a move that coincided with Vice President Harris’s own rally in Houston, focused on reproductive rights.
Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally will be a symbolic close to his campaign, offering one last moment in the spotlight in a city he has both championed and critiqued throughout his career.
