By Lisa Rozner
/ CBS New York
Former President Donald Trump packs Madison Square Garden for campaign rally
NEW YORK — Thousands of people, including from other parts of the country, descended on Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday afternoon for former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally.
The NYPD said it had drones over the area, robots, and a helicopter, as well as antiterrorism units outside monitoring the situation to keep everyone safe.
With just nine days to go until Election Day, a new CBS News poll has the two presidential candidates neck and neck, with Vice President Kamala Harris at 50% and Trump at 49% among likely voters. In battleground states, both are polling at 50%.
The focus of the respective campaigns has been on issues including immigration, the war between Israel and Hamas, and crime.
JD Vance, Elon Musk, Melania Trump spoke
Sunday’s rally marked a detour from the battleground states for Trump.
Among those who took the stage before the former president spoke were vice presidential nominee JD Vance, billionaire supporter Elon Musk and Trump’s wife, Melania, who introduced her husband. Other speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr., and Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido.
“President Trump grew up here. He’s a New Yorker,” Giuliani said. “That’s why people get a little bit annoyed at him. He speaks his mind.”
When Trump entered the arena there was applause, a standing ovation, and the crowd started chanting. Every seat appeared to be filled from the floor to the highest sections.
Trump supporters revel in former president’s appearance
The former president is from Queens. CBS News New York met supporters from his home borough, as well as a couple from Chicago and others from around the New York area.
“I just love him, and he’s the best. I want the economy to get better,” a woman said.
“We have an influx of migrants, illegal migrants. Our economy is … just go to the grocery store,” a man from Dutchess County added.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was one of several Long Island representatives who came to the Garden in the Trump motorcade.
“Just look around. This is incredible. We’re in New York City in the middle of, you know, this is liberal … one of the most liberal cities in the country, and it’s amazing,” New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said.
Vulgar language during the introductions
Before Trump took the stage, there was some vulgar language in the speeches. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who goes by Kill Tony, referred made a crude joke referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” and made other offensive jokes about Black people and Latinos.
Sid Rosenberg, a radio host Trump often talks to, called Hillary Clinton a “sick son of a b***,” and referred to migrants as “f***ing illegals.”
David Rem, a childhood friend of Trump’s, called Harris “the antichrist.”
Grant Cardone, a business owner, said Harris “and her pimp handlers will destroy the country.”
