Staff Reports
Donald Trump recently pulled off a six-hour spectacle that could only be described as a classic Trumpian rally, and it wasn’t in some crucial battleground state, but rather in the concrete jungle of New York City. With 20,000 seats filled, this extravaganza was a not-so-subtle flex just nine days ahead of the polls closing for the 2024 election, where Trump faces off against Vice President Kamala Harris, who many agree isn’t quite the formidable opponent she once appeared to be.
After assuming her role as the presidential candidate this summer, Harris initially saw a lift in momentum resembling a hot air balloon. However, as Election Day approaches, that balloon seems to have lost some air, leaving many to ponder why some Democrats are vocally wishing they could staple Biden’s candidacy back together. Voting margins are expected to be tighter than leggings at a yoga studio, and Trump’s New York gathering was a direct message to those who are still making up their minds: he’s not going anywhere.
Trump at Madison Square Garden tonight! Packed house 20,000 inside 75,000 outside partying in the streets watching it on the Big Screen! Never has a Candidate ever have such an awesome reception! Trump is for America First! pic.twitter.com/5mIdROUY8x
— Roger That! (@RogerWPetersen1) October 28, 2024
Taking center stage, Trump dished out a new caregiver tax credit to counter Harris’s policy proposals, proving once again that he can outmaneuver his opponents not just in ideas but in sheer entertainment value. The rally had it all—including an impassioned warning about the “radical left machine” that allegedly controls the Democratic Party. Imagery of a mighty machine made of crooked gears and leftist knuckles sent shivers down audiences, as they were reminded that this is about battling an ideology, not merely a person in a pantsuit.
Trump shared the spotlight with some well-known allies, including billionaire Elon Musk, who delivered his own flavor of motivational rhetoric while being introduced by a lesser-known CEO. With Musk’s mention of making victory margins enormous, it was a reminder that the stakes are high. The pre-speech entertainment was an eclectic cornucopia of commentary and humor, including a comically shoddy jibe from Tucker Carlson and Hulk Hogan flexing his cultural muscle, all of which assuredly entertained the crowd while sending the left scrambling to conjure up some outrage.
Without missing a beat, various GOP heavyweights joined the stage, adding their own twist to the narrative. House Speaker Mike Johnson boldly declared that the Democrats are not your granddad’s party anymore but are rather “full-on to Marxism”—how’s that for a Saturday night special? Amid chants and jokes that had the crowd roaring, speakers hit on everything from the pressing issue of anti-trans policies to the importance of social matters like protecting women’s sports from muddled gender discussions. It’s safe to say that the rally was as much a political strategy session as it was an entertainment extravaganza, unmatched in its ambition and type of audacity.
Across town, Harris attempted to make her own pitch in Philadelphia, choosing to channel her inner “serious candidate” with talk about support for Puerto Rico, albeit briefly interrupted by a protestor. The stark contrast between the two rallies couldn’t be more pronounced, as the Trump supporters gathered in jubilation while Harris had to fend off hecklers, a scenario reminiscent of a school teacher trying to calm rowdy students. With so much at stake and sentiments in the air ranging from hopeful to chaotic, it appears the real showdown is only just gearing up.
