Wild scenes at huge Donald Trump rally in NYC as host of celebs turn out in support
Donald Trump has taken the stage in his home city at a campaign rally that featured a speech from his wife — for the first time this year.
Former US president Donald Trump declared he wants to win the Democratic heartland of New York as he finished a rally in his home city by singing along to Frank Sinatra.
Supporters packed into Madison Square Garden on Sunday, local time, to hear from a string of celebrity guests and Mr Trump just nine days out from the 2024 vote.
The Republican nominee for president painted his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, as a “radical, left lunatic” who was unfit to lead the nation.
“I will end inflation, I will stop the invasion of criminals into our country and I will bring back the American dream,” he said.
There was a surprise appearance from Mr Trump’s wife, Melania, who spoke at the rally in what was her first campaign speech this year.
Others who took to the stage were billionaire Elon Musk, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan and TV psychologist Dr Phil McGraw – who called the Democrats’ targeting of Mr Trump “beyond ugly”.
It comes as polling from the New York Times suggests Ms Harris and Mr Trump are locked in a dead heat for the popular vote at 48 per cent each.
The polls are also split in all the key swing states, showing a margin of less than two per cent, despite Mr Trump claiming he was “leading in every swing state” at his rally.
‘Invaded and conquered’
Mr Trump called Kamala Harris a “radical, left lunatic” and claimed she wanted to de-fund police and immigration agency ICE if she was elected.
The Republican nominee began speaking about the murders of two “perfect, perfect beautiful girls” who were “cut up” by gang members in Long Island in 2016.
He claimed Ms Harris wanted to de-fund ICE, the organisation that – he said – caught the culprits.
“She’s never gonna get the chance. There’s no way she becomes president,” Mr Trump said.
“Radical, left lunatic. She destroyed San Francisco …(she and California Governor Gavin Newsom) they destroyed California.”
Mr Trump earlier said November 5 would be a “day of liberation in America” if he was elected.
“On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out,” he said.
“I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious criminals in jail.”
Mr Trump said he had personally faced more criminal investigations than “the late great Alphonse Capone”.
He said his father would be “looking down” asking “how the hell did this happen to my son?”
“I know my mother’s in heaven. I’m not 100 per cent sure on my father, but it’s close,” he said.
‘We would kick their a**’
Mr Trump joked about the multiple assassination attempts he has survived this year, saying being as the US president “you got a hell of a shot at dying”.
“And I never knew that when I ran,” he said.
“But I’m OK with that. And I would rather be here than any place in the world.
“It’s called a very dangerous profession. But if we win, our enemies won’t be laughing anymore.”
The Republican nominee claimed his rival Ms Harris would “get us into World War III” as he riffed on how he had prevented Vladimir Putin from invading the “apple of his eye”, Ukraine.
He also commented on old reports predicting the US would not be able to win a war with China.
“It’s not true, we would kick their a** – it’s not true.”
‘Kamala, you’re fired’
Mr Trump has touched on his plans for tax reform in the country, hitting points about the cost-of-living as he began his speech.
The 45th president, and former star of reality TV program The Apprentice, had message for Democratic nominee Ms Harris: “Kamala, you’re fired”.
“I’d like to begin by asking a very simple question: are you better off now than you were four years ago?” he asked, in a reference to another former president, Ronald Reagan.
“I’m here today with a message of hope for all Americans … this will be America’s new golden age.
“I will end inflation, I will stop the invasion of criminals into our country and I will bring back the American dream,” he said.
Melania makes first speech of campaign
The former first lady, Melania Trump has delivered a speech at one of her husband’s rallies for the first time this election campaign.
Ms Trump spoke about crime rates across the country, saying “crime is on the rise and public safety has been diminished”.
She then introduced her Mr Trump: “please welcome our next commander in chief, my husband, president Donald J Trump”.
The 45th president and his wife kissed on the cheek when he entered the stage before standing and holding hands for a few moments, while musician Lee Greenwood serenaded them with “God Bless the USA”.
Elon Musk ‘gothic MAGA’
Tesla boss Elon Musk has been introduced on stage as ”the greatest capitalist in the history of the United States of America”.
Mr Trump has stated he would install Mr Musk as the head of a new department of government efficiency – or DOGE – if re-elected on November 5.
“I’m not just MAGA, I’m dark gothic MAGA,” Mr Musk told the crowd while wearing a black Make America Great Again cap, before saying he thought the new DOGE role could clawback “at least 2 trillion” from government spending.
“Your money is being wasted and the department of government efficiency is going to fix that,” he said.
“We are going to get the government off your back and out of your pocket book.
“America is not just going to be great America is going to reach heights it ha never seen before.”
‘Golden age’
The Republicans’ vice presidential candidate JD Vance has addressed the crowd, saying Mr Trump was closing in on a return to office.
Mr Vance said the current Vice President and Democrat nominee for president Kamala Harris could not paint herself as the candidate for change when she’s been in office for four years.
“In nine days we’re going to say ‘Kamala Harris you’re fired. Go back to San Francisco where you belong’,” he said.
Mr Vance said Trump’s election would release a “golden age of American prosperity”.
“We’re going to put the American dream of home ownership back in reach for millions of young people,” he said.
“We’re going to secure our border and keep our families safe.”
Mr Vance rattled off a list of sporting and musical icons who had played at the Garden – including Muhammad Ali and Elvis Presley.
“Now, on the eve of the most important election in our history, the greatest champion of them all, Donald J Trump, has come to Madison Square Garden,” he said.
Celebrity endorsements
Dr Phil spoke earlier in the night, saying you “don’t have to love everything about somebody” to support them
The famous shrink called the Democrats and the US media “bullies”.
“When you attack a citizen and you use the power of the internet, you use mob mentality, you incite people to gang up and cause boycotts, it’s beyond ugly,” he said.
“We need to unify this country; you have the right to vote for who you want. We have to stand proud to help our neighbours who want to vote their conscience and not be afraid.
“We’re going to unify this country, we’re going to listen and not be intimidated, we’re going to go out and lead by example.”
In typical showman fashion, Hogan entered the arena with the American flag draped over his shoulder as he approached the podium.
“I don’t see any stinkin’ Nazis in here,” he told the crowd.
Conservative TV host Tucker Carlson made jokes about Ms Harris’ support, having been installed as the Democratic nominee as President Joe Biden pulled out of the race.
“As the first Samoan, Malaysian, low IQ former California prosecutor, it was just a ground swell of popular support,” he said.
Harris ‘the anti-Christ’
One of Mr Trump’s oldest friends, David Wren, took to the stage holding a crucifix to challenge Ms Harris’ religious virtue.
The former candidate for US Congress referenced the abortion debate and a protest at Ms Harris’ event at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from Christian students last week.
“She is the devil … She is the anti-Christ. At her rally last week, she said that Jesus Christ’s followers are not welcomed at her rallies,” he said.
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