Donald Trump doesnt think he is wasting his time or campaign funds by rallying in New York Citys Madison Square Garden with just nine days until the 2024 election.
He thinks that the deep blue state is winnable for him despite it voting for Democrats in every presidential race since 1988.
To underscore the significance of the rally, former first lady Melania Trump shocked fans by making her first appearance on the campaign trail.
From the stage at the iconic Manhattan arena, former President Trump vowed to return New York City to its former glory.
We want to win our country, but we also want to win New York and make it safe and strong and beautiful and affordable and vibrant again, Trump said.
When I left, New York was the place you wanted to be and now people just dont speak well of it. But were going to bring it back. And were going to bring it back strong, he assured.
Trump made his final pitch to New Yorkers to cast their ballot for him as early voting kicked off in the Empire State on Saturday.
Former President Donald Trump made a return to his home town of New York City was a massive rally in front of 20,000 fans at the renowned Madison Square Garden
Former First Lady Melania Trump made a shock speech at Trumps rally on Sunday – it was her first appearance on the 2024 campaign trail for her husband
Sundays massive rally with more than 20,000 supporters in attendance kicked off the ex-presidents closing argument: Kamala Harris broke it, but Trump will fix it.
I hope you go out and vote, Trump said toward the end of his more than hour-long remarks.
It would be such an honor to win New York, he continued. Hasnt been done in decades, hasnt been done in so long. It hasnt been done in so long.
They all say, sir youre wasting your money. I dont think so, the optimistic candidate said.
Trump completely filled up Madison Square Garden on Sunday for a rally with just over a week to go.
The king of New York is back to reclaim the city that he built, the former presidents eldest son Donald Trump Jr. declared on stage at the renowned Manhattan venue.
Red, white and blue lights surrounded the entire arena where more than 20,000 people gathered to hear the former president launch his closing argument in the last week of his campaign for a second term.
Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk ended his remarks with his surprise introduction of Melania, which sent the crowd into an uproar.
New York City and America needs their magic back, she said in her five-minute remarks, that concluded with her preparing the audience for her husband.
Melania flashed a big smile when former President Trump came on stage to a live performance of his walk-out song God Bless America by Lee Greenwood.
The couple hugged and exchanged kisses on the cheek as they listened to Greenwoods performance and applauded the musician.
Melania went to the Republican National Convention in July with the rest of the family but didnt speak.
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, spoke at Madison Square Garden – making Sunday his second appearance at a Trump rally after also joining the former president on stage at his return to Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this month
Trump gives wife Melania a smooch on the cheek after her remarks at Madison Square Garden
Trumps middle son Eric Trump claimed there were 200,000 people trying to get into the arena for the rally.
Were going to win! he declared on stage alongside wife and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump.
Lara said that Trump is at Madison square Garden because he goes where others dont.
Does anybody know the last time a Republican president campaigned in The Bronx? It was Ronald Reagan and, ladies and gentleman, he turned New York red. Im just saying, the co-chair said.
Trump pulled out all the stops for the rally that GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik claims he has been talking about for years.
More than a dozen speakers took stage in the hours ahead of Trumps arrival. This included a list of politicians, lawmakers, celebrities and lifelong friends of the 2024 Republican hopeful.
And the resounding theme among the preprogram speakers was that New York is winnable for the former president – even though the deep blue state has voted for Democrats for decades and polling shows no indication Trump can win it.
Eric Trump and wife and RNC co-chair Lara Trump speak at Donald Trumps Madison Square Garden rally in Manhattan on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Eric declared: Were going to win!
The first speaker of the night kicked off the rally on a controversial foot.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe referenced the floating island of garbage in the ocean that environmentalists point to as a massive problem. But he said that was actually just Puerto Rico.
The line earned condemnation from Puerto Rican celebrities Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin.
This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign, a Trump spokesperson said in a statement to the media.
Lawmakers and politicians who spoke before Trumps arrival also countered arguments that Trump shouldnt be spending time in New York City so close to Election Day on November 5.
I dont follow polls, but I do follow energy. This does not feel like second place energy in here tonight, said Vivek Ramaswamy.
The biotech entrepreneur and former 2024 presidential candidate said a friend asked him: Why the hell are you guys wasting your time in New York City instead of going to a swing state?
Welcome to 2024 — New York is a swing state, Ramaswamy declared.
And supporters lined up outside the arena on Sunday agree that New York is in play.
I think in 2016 people said theres no way Donald Trump would ever win the United States, its never going to happen. New York is, in a lot of ways, a mirror culturally of whats going on, Michael Rydelek, 27, told DailyMail.com.
And just as crazy as the win in 2016 was, I think were looking at the same thing in 2024, the Rockland County native speculated. You have a lot of people in New York City that are aware something needs to change and willing to go forth with that change. New York Citys a big part of that equation.
People say, why is Trump at Madison Square Garden? Well hes making a play for New York, Rydelek added.
Television personality Dr. Phill admitted him being at Trumps rally at The Garden would make him lose his job in Hollywood, but admitted: The problem is, I dont need one
Television personality Dr. Phil surprised the crowd by speaking at the rally and introducing Trumps running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
The celebrity doctor admitted: I dont like or agree with everything Trump says or does… you dont have to love everything about someone in order to love them.
And the last thing he needs is some celebrity endorsement. What the hell do I know? I know Im no celebrity to begin with. And celebrities know nothing about policy or politics, Dr. Phil said. So, why am I here? Im here to talk to and stand up for the people who have declared their support for Donald Trump.
Dr. Phil, whose full name is Phillip McGraw, said that anyone who says what he is saying in Hollywood would be out of a job.
The problem is, I dont need one, the psychologist concluded.
Dr. Phil joined a stacked lineup of celebrities that came out to back Trump.
UFC icon Hulk Hogan ripped off his shirt before taking the mic with his bicep muscles revealed in his pro-Trump tank top.
And just a few speakers later, UFC CEO Dana White spoke on behalf of Trump.
UFC icon Hulk Hogan tore off his shirt to reveal a pro-Trump tank top before making remarks in favor of the former presidents reelection where he said Madison Square Garden is Trumps House