Former President Donald Trump plans to hold a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening, departing from the traditional battleground states to host what his campaign describes as an “epic event” in New York City. This marks another instance of Trump choosing to campaign in and around the area; he previously held an event in the South Bronx during his felony hush-money trial in May and a rally in Long Island in September.
Despite losing New York by approximately 23 percentage points in the 2016 and 2020 elections, Trump’s campaign continues to focus on the state, where current polling indicates he is trailing Vice President Kamala Harris by roughly 15 points.
The campaign is investing significant resources into the upcoming rally, featuring notable figures such as former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance. These surrogates will not be visiting key swing states during this time. Conversely, Vice President Harris spent Sunday in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, engaging in community activities in West Philadelphia and meeting with young Black men at a local barbershop, reputed for its “lucky chair” for electoral candidates.
The decision to rally in Madison Square Garden has a political impetus, underscored by the attendance of prominent Republicans, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson and New York Representative Elise Stefanik. Their presence highlights the strategic significance of New York in maintaining Republican control of the U.S. House, particularly following the party’s narrow victory there in 2022, which was facilitated by several districts voting Republican. Representatives like Nick LaLota, Anthony D’Esposito, and Mike Lawler, who now face challenging re-election campaigns, underscore the importance of these efforts.
Although Trump’s victory in New York appears unlikely, the focus remains on securing the House for Republicans. The rally at Madison Square Garden not only serves political strategy but is also expected to draw significant attention amid the election’s final days. The venue itself has a rich political history, having hosted major events and figures such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a rally supporting Adolf Hitler in 1939, Marilyn Monroe’s iconic birthday serenade to President John F. Kennedy in 1962, and the Republican National Convention in 2004.
NPR’s Asma Khalid contributed reporting from Philadelphia.