Former President Donald Trump is making headlines with a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday night. Although he was born in Queens and has deep ties to the city, he is unlikely to win blue-leaning New York in the upcoming election. Nonetheless, this rally is poised to be a significant event in his reelection campaign.
Joining Trump at the iconic venue are notable supporters, including his running mate JD Vance, prominent Republican lawmakers, and high-profile figures like SpaceX founder Elon Musk and UFC CEO Dana White.
Stay tuned for live updates from the USA TODAY Network as the campaign trail unfolds.
Trump Friend Announces NYC Mayor Bid at MSG Rally
During the rally, Trump’s childhood friend David Rem took the opportunity to announce his candidacy for New York City mayor. “We need to make New York red,” he declared, expressing his support for Trump as a man of faith, asserting that Trump “knows that Jesus Christ is king.” Rem claimed that Trump’s opponents are determined to undermine him, stating, “They don’t want to face Donald Trump at the ballot box, so they’ll do anything they can, imprison him, kill him.”
The Race Between Trump and Harris Is Extremely Close
How tight is the race? According to recent polling data, the competition between Trump and Kamala Harris is nearly a dead heat. The Real Clear Politics average shows Trump leading Harris by a mere 0.1 percentage points, with figures at 48.5% to 48.4%. This margin falls within the error range of the polls.
Battleground state polls indicate that most are also within the margin of error, highlighting the competitive nature of the upcoming election.
Speaker Lineup for the Rally
The lineup for Trump’s rally on October 27 includes a variety of political figures and celebrities:
- JD Vance, Republican vice presidential nominee
- House Speaker Mike Johnson
- Representatives Elise Stefanik and Byron Donalds
- Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former presidential candidate
- Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee
- Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.
- Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla
- Dana White, CEO of UFC
- And many others, including singers, radio personalities, and artists.
Trump’s Rally: A Strategic Move
Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally is a critical moment in his campaign as he seeks to gain momentum in a highly competitive race. Holding a major event in “The World’s Most Famous Arena” is quintessentially Trump; however, it raises questions among political analysts about the wisdom of focusing resources in a solidly Democratic state.
Despite these concerns, Trump and his team believe there are compelling reasons for this rally as they approach Election Day on November 5. His ability to dominate media coverage has long been a key element of his political strategy, dating back to his rise in New York during the 1980s.
As Trump vies for votes against Kamala Harris, who has energized the Democratic base since stepping into the spotlight following President Joe Biden’s decision to serve only one term, this rally could be pivotal in shaping the final days of the campaign.
