By james art NEW YORK — Thousands of people from the New York area and other parts of the country descended Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday afternoon for the campaign of former President Donald Trump.
The NYPD said they have drones over the area, robots and a helicopter, as well as counter-terrorism units outside monitoring the situation to keep everyone safe.
With just nine days until Election Day, a new CBS News poll pits the two presidential candidates against each other, with Vice President Kamala Harris with 50% and Trump with 49% among likely voters. In battleground states, both poll 50%.
The respective campaigns focus on issues including immigration, the war between Israel and Hamas, and crime.
Trump, JD Vance, Elon Musk and Melania Trump spoke
Sunday’s rally marked a departure from Trump’s battleground states. When Trump entered the arena, there were cheers, cheers and the crowd started chanting. Every seat seemed filled, from the floor to the highest sections.
In his remarks, Trump called Vice President Kamala Harris a “wrecker” and said electing her would “put millions of lives at stake.”
His speech included familiar campaign lines about immigration, his deportation planscrime, border and economy.
“We’re going to beat inflation quickly and very simply make America affordable again,” Trump said.
“And you know who I want to thank? [New York City] mayor [Eric] Adams, because Mayor Adams was treated pretty badly. You know, when you said this whole thing with the migrants coming to New York, it’s just not sustainable. I said, well, he’s going to be blamed by these lunatics. A year later, he was indicted,” Trump said.
He also released a video montage featuring stories of migrants in gangs allegedly committing violent crimes across the country.
“It’s called the trend de agua, but now they’ve even taken over Times Square. On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get criminals out.”
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Among those who took the stage before the former president spoke were vice presidential candidate JD Vance and a billionaire supporter Elon Musk.
Surprisingly, Melania Trump also appeared and introduced her husband. It was her first public political speech of this campaign cycle and the first time she introduced her husband at an event this cycle. Mrs. Trump has largely stepped back from the campaign trail this year, appearing with her husband only a handful of times during Trump’s third term as president.
Other speakers are also included Robert F. Kennedy Jrformer New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr., wrestler Hulk Hogan and Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido.
“President Trump grew up here. He’s a New Yorker,” Giuliani said. “That’s why people get a little annoyed with him. He speaks his mind.”
Michael M Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images
Trump supporters are enjoying the former president’s appearance
The former president is from Queens. CBS News New York met with supporters from his hometown, as well as a couple from Chicago and others from the New York area.
“I just love him and he’s the best. I want the economy to improve,” said a woman.
“We have an influx of migrants, illegal migrants. Our economy is … just go to the grocery store,” the Dutchess County man added.
“He represents everything that I want to see happen in our country and in New York,” said Queens resident Yvonne Coste.
“America’s common sense is what we need. Donald Trump can bring it to us like you did four years ago,” another person said.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was one of several Long Island representatives who came to the garden in Trump’s motorcade.
New York hasn’t voted for a Republican for president in 40 years, but GOP delegates said they hope Sunday’s rally will help change that.
“Just look around. This is incredible. We’re in New York in the middle of, you know, it’s liberal … one of the most liberal cities in the country, and it’s amazing,” Ina, a New York city councilor said Vernikov.
“There is no better place to showcase the contracts, the positions, the proposals that will secure our border,” Staten Island Representative Nicole Maliotakis said.
Profanity during the presentation
Before Trump took the stage, there was foul language in the speeches. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who goes by the name Kill Tony, made a crude joke calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” and made other offensive jokes about blacks and Latinos.
Senior Trump adviser Daniel Alvarez told CBS News about the Puerto Rico comment, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” and the campaign said the jokes were not reviewed or pre-approved.
Sid Rosenberg, a radio host with whom Trump often speaks, called Hillary Clinton a “sick scumbag” and called migrants “illegal devils.”
David Rehm, a childhood friend of Trump’s, called Harris “the antichrist.”
Grant Cardone, a business owner, said Harris “and her pimps are going to destroy the country.”
Mayor Adams later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and condemned the foul language.
“The hateful words that were used by some at today’s rally in Madison Square Garden were completely unacceptable. No matter who says it, hate is hate and it has no place in our city. As Americans, we must always stand up against racism, anti-Semitism, and misogyny, I have spoken about how we must all turn down the temperature that fuels hatred and violence, and I renew these calls again.
Lisa Rosner
