Donald Trump hosted a rally featuring crude and racist insults at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday, turning what his campaign announced as his closing event in the final days of the campaign into an illustration of what makes his critics angry.
Several speakers crudely insulted Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who is vying to become the first woman and Black woman to win the presidency. A comedian made lewd and racist comments about Latinos, Jews and blacks, all key constituencies in the election just nine days later.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of trash in the middle of the ocean right now,” said comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, whose joke was immediately criticized by the Harris campaign, as she competes with Trump to win over Puerto Rican communities in Pennsylvania and other swing states. : “I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
Trump’s childhood friend, David Reem, referred to Harris as the “antichrist” and “the devil.” Businessman Grant Cardone told the crowd that Harris “and her pimp cronies will destroy our country.”
The event was a surreal spectacle, with a lineup that included House Speaker Mike Johnson, TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw, former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, and someone who drew a picture of Trump hugging the Empire State Building.
And all of this was before the Republican presidential candidate took the stage at least two hours late.
Several speakers appeared Sunday on stage at the Republican National Convention. This time, the same speakers shouted down and attacked Democrats even more.
Hogan, who returned to the place where he performed years ago as a professional wrestler, appeared to be reprising his character, as he appeared wearing a giant red, orange and yellow snake and violently waving a large American flag as he stood and danced. He spat on the stage during his speech, flexed his muscles repeatedly, and told the audience: “Trump is the only man who can fix this country today.”
While some Democrats and pundits questioned Trump’s decision to hold what they described as a frivolous event in his hometown, the rally guarantees Trump what he so desperately craves: the spotlight, blanket coverage and a national audience.
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His closing message on Sunday, according to his campaign, is that Harris “broke” the country and that Trump will “fix it.” Hours earlier, demonstrators waved signs reading, “Trump will fix it.”
Some Democrats, who have claimed Trump is a “fascist,” compared his Sunday event to a pro-Nazi rally in the Garden in February 1939. Several speakers on Sunday criticized Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee whom Trump defeated eight years ago, for recently saying that Trump… He will “re-enact” the 1939 event.
“Guys, now they’re coming out and trying to call us Nazis and fascists,” said Alina Haba, one of Trump’s lawyers, who was wearing a bright “MAGA” jacket on stage as she spoke. “And you know what they’re calling you guys? It’s so scary. They’re claiming we’re going to come after them and try to put them in prison. Well, isn’t that rich?”
“I don’t see any hateful Nazis here,” Hogan declared with his characteristic gruff grumble.
Trump denounced the four criminal charges against him as politically motivated. In recent weeks he has intensified his condemnation of “enemies within,” naming his domestic political rivals and suggesting using the military to go after them. Harris, in turn, described Trump as a “fascist.”
The arena was full hours before Trump was scheduled to speak. Outside the square, the sidewalks were crowded with Trump supporters wearing red “Make America Great Again” hats. There was a heavy security presence. Streets were closed and access to Penn Station was restricted.
Among the crowd was Philip D’Agostino, a longtime Trump supporter from Queens, the borough where Trump grew up. The 64-year-old said it was appropriate for Trump to speak in a venue that describes itself as “the most famous arena in the world.”
“It shows you that he has a larger following than any man who ever lived,” D’Agostino said.
The rally is one of a series of U-turns Trump has made from battleground states, including a recent rally in Coachella, California — known for the popular music festival named after the city — and one in May at the Jersey Shore. This summer he campaigned in the South Bronx.
To reach them, Trump spent hours appearing on popular podcasts. His campaign has created viral moments like his visit to a McDonald’s restaurant last weekend, where he prepared French fries and served food to his supporters through the ordering window. The stop video posted by his campaign has been viewed more than 40 million times on TikTok alone.
Harris has also traveled to non-battleground states for major events aimed at sending a national message. She appeared in Houston on Friday with music star Beyoncé to speak about reproductive rights, and will deliver her closing argument on Tuesday from the Ellipse in Washington, where Trump spoke before the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Trump will be joined at the rally by his supporters, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has spent tens of millions of dollars boosting his campaign.
Trump often compares himself to the country’s greatest entertainers. The former reality TV star has long spoken about his desire to organize a rally at the venue in interviews and private conversations.
Beyond the national spotlight and the allure of appearing on one of the world’s most famous stages, state Republicans say the caucus will also help candidates who received low votes. New York is home to a few competitive congressional races that could determine which party will control the House next year.
Trump will also use the stop as a major fundraising opportunity as he continues to trail dangerously behind Harris in the money race.
New York has not voted for a Republican candidate for president in 40 years. But that has not stopped Trump from continuing to insist on his belief that he can win.
Trump routinely uses his hometown as a cover for audiences in other states, painting a dark vision of the city that bears little resemblance to reality. He described it as crime-ridden and controlled by violent immigrant gangs who had taken over Fifth and Madison Avenues and occupied Times Square.
Trump has a complicated history with the place where he built his business empire, making him a tabloid and reality TV star. Residents charged him last year with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He was convicted in that case, and was also held liable in civil court for commercial fraud and sexual assault.
