Former President Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden was anything but ordinary for the liberal-leaning state of New York. Yet, there he was on Sunday evening, standing at the center of a packed stadium where 19,500 attendees erupted with energy, even after standing in line for hours just to catch a glimpse of the 45th president.
The message from Trump and his high-profile supporters was clear: they were there to “Make America Great Again” and to drive home an alternative to the Biden-Harris administration’s policies on everything from immigration to inflation. Trump took full advantage of the momentum, diving into criticisms of Biden-era policies, with a particular focus on illegal immigration. His proposed solution? Hard-hitting penalties for crimes committed by illegal immigrants, even invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to speed up the deportation of gang members.
And Trump didn’t mince words. He labeled Harris’s role in immigration as “the most egregious betrayal” in American history, accusing her of erasing the nation’s border and allowing crime to flourish under her watch. Harris wasn’t alone in his sights; he also took aim at inflation, vowing that, if elected, he’d slash energy costs by half within his first year—a promise that resonated with voters struggling under rising living expenses.
The rally wasn’t just Trump’s show, either. A-list supporters like Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and even Dr. Phil lent their voices to the cause. Each speaker took on the Democratic Party’s current state, arguing it had lost its way from endorsing “woke” agendas to dismantling traditional sports through progressive policies. Elon Musk, wearing his “dark gothic MAGA” hat, threw in his support by promising to help cut government spending as “Secretary of Cost-Cutting” if Trump made it back to the Oval Office.
“I may not be an expert in politics, but I am an expert in bullying,” Dr. Phil said. “I know the critics are going to say, ‘Isn’t Trump a bully?’ Let me tell you why the answer is no. To be a bully, there has to be an imbalance of power. When there’s not it is just called a debate.”
Dr. Phil’s entire speech was one of the most effective speeches I’ve seen anyone give to Trump supporters.
Without a doubt, top five of all time with respect to effectiveness. https://t.co/5phG9dQ4tb
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 27, 2024
Here’s energetic Elon Musk:
Elon Musk:
“I’m not just MAGA, I’m Dark Gothic MAGA.”
— Valuetainment Media (@ValuetainmentTV) October 27, 2024
Melania Trump also made an appearance, speaking to a vision of security and prosperity. Her remarks were short yet delivered with a sincerity that got the crowd roaring. But it wasn’t just Republicans in attendance. Attendees of diverse backgrounds—from Arab American to Muslim American Trump supporters—cheered on the former president and rallied around his promises of an “America First” future, echoing Trump’s sentiments of peace and prosperity for all Americans.
SURPRISE APPEARANCE: Former first lady Melania Trump stuns crowd with rare appearance to support her husband at his historic Madison Square Garden rally. pic.twitter.com/jjar9Mvk8n
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 28, 2024
Trump’s rally was a stark contrast to the modern-day Democratic Party, or as Kennedy Jr. put it, the “party of the CIA and Wall Street.” He slammed the party’s ties to big tech and military interests, painting it as a machine bent on control. To him, the party that once championed working-class values was now unrecognizable, pushing Americans to divide rather than unite.
Thank you New York City. What a turnout! #MSGRally pic.twitter.com/L0tII5atLe
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) October 28, 2024
The energy in Madison Square Garden wasn’t just about a rally. It was a statement from Trump and his supporters, one that pushed the boundaries in a state that hasn’t voted Republican in a presidential election since Reagan. According to New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, New York is now “in play” for the Trump campaign, with surging enthusiasm among voters who are frustrated with rising crime, higher costs, and what they see as unchecked progressive policies.
Eric Trump says almost 200K people tried to get into Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden, which fits 20K and is now all full. Lara Trump suggests Trump could flip NY red like Ronald Reagan did. pic.twitter.com/7WHIcEH3BI
— Iris Tao (@IrisTaoTV) October 27, 2024
When Trump said, “We’re running against something far bigger than Joe or Kamala,” he hit on a sentiment that has propelled his movement: a battle against what he described as a “radical left machine” controlling the Democratic Party. The rally served as a powerful moment for his supporters, who are betting on a massive victory come November. The question now is, can Trump’s momentum truly swing states like New York and create the “biggest victory in the history of our country,” as he declared? With a packed house and the enthusiastic cheers from New Yorkers behind him, he’s certainly making his case.