Kat Bourgault
Anchor Contributor
On October 27, 2024, just over a week before the presidential election, former President Trump held a rally at the “epicenter for everything” Madison Square Garden. Since then, clips from the rally have gone viral, and there are lots of moments circulating from the event, especially during the four and a half hours leading up to Trump’s actual appearance on stage.
So, why is this rally gaining so much traction compared to the dozens of other rallies held? There could be a few reasons for this, but one reason worth noting is that New York is not a swing state by any means, and it seems that Donald Trump’s appearance in his hometown was crafted specifically for the media leading to national visibility. All of the speakers that opened the rally were the main attraction of the event, as the things said in the hours before were some of the most extreme we have heard at a Trump rally.
Firstly, podcast host Tony Hinchcliffe opened with racially charged jokes, one joke targeting Puerto Ricans: an influential voter base in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state. In response to Hinchcliffe describing Puerto Rico as an “island of floating garbage,” Trump distanced himself from the comedian, stating, “Someone put him up there. I don't know who he is.” However, it later emerged that the campaign was aware of Hinchcliffe’s comments in advance and had even adjusted one offensive line targeting Kamala Harris, deeming it too inappropriate.
Throughout the rally, other notable comments sparked attention, including one from a “lifelong friend” of Trump’s, whom he’d actually met just two weeks earlier. Waving a crucifix, this supporter called Kamala Harris the 'antichrist.' Adding to the inflammatory rhetoric, Rudy Giuliani echoed post-9/11 sentiments, claiming Palestinians are taught to “kill Americans at two years old,” a completely baseless narrative that the Trump campaign continues to promote.
On Donald Trump’s official campaign website you can find the 2024 GOP Platform. This platform includes a pledge to, “support revoking Visas of Foreign Nationals who support terrorism and jihadism.” This broad definition does not accurately represent most student protesters, with 97% of demonstrations remaining peaceful since October 7, 2023, raising concerns behind what this could mean. This would disproportionately affect students on student visas and would silence their voices out of fear of repercussions. This platform also contains plans to defund the Department of Education, another attack on higher education that would disproportionately affect low income, and first generation students.
This rally is viewed as one of Trump’s “closing arguments” before election day, showcasing one of the longest and most energetic appearances of the election cycle. Packed with combative sentiments and inflammatory rhetoric, it gained traction for its sheer intensity. As the Presidential election approaches, these bold statements will likely push away some undecided voters, as it successfully highlights some of the deep divides in American politics. The echoes from this rally will resonate far beyond Madison Square Garden, potentially shaping the electoral landscape in key swing states, especially with the strong Puerto Rican voter base within them.
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