By james art If “All the World’s a Stage,” President Trump is about to appear on one of the biggest, Madison Square Garden. Will Sunday’s event pay off for him and the Republicans?
Many of the 45th president’s opponents are already complaining that Trump is wasting his time in New York. They advise him to spend his time where they think it is better invested. If conventional wisdom is to be believed, this seems to make sense.
No Republican running for president has won New York and the sizable electoral vote margin since President Reagan in his historic 49-state landslide victory in 1984. For Trump, however, it will be a homecoming of sorts. New York is where he started, building his empire and the most iconic buildings in his portfolio.
It’s also where, when political attacks have failed, civil and criminal attacks have been unleashed by some of Trump’s fiercest opponents. With polls giving at least some hope of a Trump victory on Nov. 5, his speech at Madison Square Garden will be an opportunity for Trump to do what Trump likes to do most — troll and talk down his opposition on the ground , which they consider to be theirs and only theirs.
When it comes to talking nonsense in politics, no one does it like Trump, who has become the Larry Bird of political nonsense. He gets under the skin of his opponents like no one else can, driving his opposition crazy. Just look at Trump’s visit to McDonald’s to get fries and drive a car, dissing Vice President Harris for her brag about having worked at McDonald’s as a youth.
New York is not Butler, Pennsylvania. If it weren’t for the assassination attempt on Trump, this rally would be just another in a series of events like the ones Trump holds across the country every week. MSG is different. New York is the press capital of the world, and all eyes will be on Trump as he heads into the final week of the campaign and just as early voting in the Empire State begins.
Plus, New York is home to Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, both of whom ran for office promising to prosecute Trump and then followed through on those campaign promises. This is Trump’s opportunity to come to their turf as a conquering hero.
When Trump takes that stage, with great fanfare and display, he will be on a national stage like no other. Trump will prove what many people learn about modern politics, that it’s not where you say it, but how you say it. Going viral, having clips and memes on social media that people post and repost, and being the center of conversation on every news outlet is what will make this pay off for Trump.
Then there’s Trump’s claim that he could bring New York into play. Although he is unlikely to carry the state, he could influence a number of swing congressional races that Republicans are championing in areas no longer happy with Democrats’ pro-criminal reforms. Add in Mayor Adams’ corruption arrest, which also tarnishes his party’s image, and Democrats may feel a sting in the suburbs.
While no congressional race is likely to change control of Congress, despite what the candidates in those tight races want us to believe, the more Republicans Trump helps with their tails will only make it easier for him to push his agenda next time around. Picking up seats in red-leaning suburban districts will only increase the Republican advantage.
Ignore the naysayers who preach their conventional wisdom. Trump stands to gain a lot from this huge spectacle at Madison Square Garden. Trump is the most unconventional politician of his time. Why should being conventional suddenly be his priority?