NEW YORK — Thousands of people from around the New York area and other parts of the country descended on Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday afternoon for former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally.
The NYPD said it had drones over the area, robots, and a helicopter, as well as antiterrorism units outside monitoring the situation to keep everyone safe.
With just nine days to go until Election Day, a new CBS News poll has the two presidential candidates neck and neck, with Vice President Kamala Harris at 50% and Trump at 49% among likely voters. In battleground states, both are polling at 50%.
The focus of the respective campaigns has been 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 detour from the battleground states for Trump. When Trump entered the arena there was applause, a standing ovation, and the crowd started chanting. Every seat appeared to be filled, from the floor to the highest sections.
In his remarks, Trump framed Vice President Kamala Harris as a “trainwreck” and said electing her would “gamble with the lives of millions.”
His speech included familiar campaign lines about immigration, his deportation plans, crime, the border, and the economy.
“We will rapidly defeat inflation, and we will 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 has been treated pretty badly. You know, when he said this whole thing with the migrants coming into New York, this is just not sustainable. I said, well, he’s going to be indicted by these lunatics. A year later, he got indicted,” Trump said.
He also played a video montage that included stories about migrants in gangs allegedly committing violent crimes across the country.
“It’s called 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 the criminals out.”
Among those who took the stage before the former president spoke were vice presidential nominee JD Vance and billionaire supporter Elon Musk.
In a surprise, Melania Trump also made an appearance and introduced her husband. It was her first public political speech of this campaign cycle and the first time she has introduced her husband at an event this cycle. Mrs. Trump has largely stayed away from campaigning this year, appearing with her husband only a handful of times throughout Trump’s third presidential run.
Other speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw, House Speaker 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 bit annoyed at him. He speaks his mind.”
Trump supporters revel in former president’s appearance
The former president is from Queens. CBS News New York met supporters from his home borough, as well as a couple from Chicago and others from around the New York area.
“I just love him, and he’s the best. I want the economy to get better,” a woman said.
“We have an influx of migrants, illegal migrants. Our economy is … just go to the grocery store,” a man from Dutchess County added.
“He presents everything that I desire to see happen in our country and in New York,” Queens resident Yvonne Coste said.
“Common sense America is what we need. Donald Trump can bring that 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 the Trump motorcade.
New York has not voted for a Republican for president in 40 years, but GOP delegates said they hope Sunday’s rally helps change that.
“Just look around. This is incredible. We’re in New York City in the middle of, you know, this is liberal … one of the most liberal cities in the country, and it’s amazing,” New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said.
“There’s no better place to show the contracts, positions, proposals that will secure our border,” Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said.
Vulgar language during the introductions
Before Trump took the stage, there was some vulgar language in the speeches. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who goes by Kill Tony, referred made a crude joke referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” and made other offensive jokes about Black people and Latinos.
Trump senior advisor Danielle Alvarez told CBS News regarding to 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 Trump often talks to, called Hillary Clinton a “sick son of a b***,” and referred to migrants as “f***ing illegals.”
David Rem, a childhood friend of Trump’s, called Harris “the antichrist.”
Grant Cardone, a business owner, said Harris “and her pimp handlers will destroy the country.”
Mayor Adams later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and denounced the vulgar language.
“The hateful words that were used by some at today’s rally at Madison Square Garden were completely unacceptable. No matter who says it, hate is hate and there is no place for it in our city. As Americans, we always should stand up against racism, antisemitism, and misogyny. Yesterday, ahead of today’s rally, I talked about how we all need to turn down the temperature that fuels hate and violence. I am once again renewing those calls,” Adams said.
