Trump rally/ racist jokes/ Madison Square Garden/ Latino voters/ Kamala Harris insults/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden, meant to close out his campaign message, drew widespread criticism due to racist and crude remarks by speakers, including offensive jokes about Puerto Ricans and racist stereotypes. The Trump campaign distanced itself from some comments, while critics pointed to the event as highlighting divisive rhetoric.
Trump’s Madison Square Garden Rally Highlights: Quick Look
- Event: Trump rally in NYC featured offensive, racist commentary from speakers.
- Targeted Insults: Remarks directed at Latinos, Puerto Ricans, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Criticism: Widespread backlash, including from Trump supporters and his campaign.
- Prominent Attendees: Elon Musk, Dr. Phil, and Hulk Hogan joined Trump on stage.
- Campaign Themes: Trump’s speech emphasized security, immigration, and tax proposals.
Racism, Controversial Jokes Dominate Trump’s Closing Rally in NYC
Deep Look
Donald Trump’s recent rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden, positioned as a major moment in his campaign’s final stretch, drew controversy with a series of racially charged and offensive comments from guest speakers. Hosted in what was marketed as a “closing message” event, the rally quickly sparked backlash as speakers directed crude insults toward Puerto Ricans, Latinos, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The event featured comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, whose routine included a disparaging reference to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” The remark, aimed at Puerto Rican communities, was met with immediate condemnation from Democratic campaign representatives and other figures. Harris, who is running against Trump, has invested in courting Latino and Puerto Rican voters, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania. In a swift response, Puerto Rican music star Bad Bunny endorsed Harris, sharing her message to Puerto Rican voters in contrast to the rhetoric at Trump’s rally.
In a rare move, Trump’s senior campaign adviser, Danielle Alvarez, disavowed Hinchcliffe’s remarks, stating that the comment did not reflect the Trump campaign’s views. Nonetheless, other speakers continued with similarly incendiary language. David Rem, a longtime friend of Trump, called Vice President Kamala Harris “the Antichrist,” while businessman Grant Cardone described Harris as having “pimp handlers,” which he claimed would “destroy the country.” Such remarks underscored a tone that, while criticized by some as divisive, has become a hallmark of Trump’s campaign.
Sunday’s rally featured appearances from several prominent figures aligned with Trump, including tech mogul Elon Musk, who introduced Melania Trump, wrestler Hulk Hogan, and TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw. Hogan’s appearance included a dramatic display reminiscent of his wrestling days as he waved a large American flag, spat on stage, and flexed his muscles. The speakers throughout the night rallied the crowd with hyperbolic criticisms of Democrats, including attacks on Hillary Clinton for her recent comments comparing Trump’s event to a 1939 pro-Nazi rally held at the same venue.
Clinton’s remark, which suggested the rally might resemble the infamous Nazi rally, was met with ire. Alina Habba, Trump’s attorney, railed against Democrats’ fascist labeling and taunted Clinton directly. Her speech, accompanied by a sparkly “MAGA” jacket draped over the lectern, echoed sentiments shared by other speakers, who defended Trump and derided his critics. Hogan also denounced the comparison, dismissing any notion of “Nazis” in the audience.
The rally marked a departure from typical campaign decorum, leaning into a combative style that has characterized much of Trump’s campaign. Some observers noted that such rhetoric could alienate moderate voters, even as it energizes Trump’s core base. However, Trump’s team believes this approach could reach undecided voters who feel disenfranchised by conventional political messaging.
Trump’s own speech highlighted economic issues and promised new policies targeted at his core demographic. Among his proposals was a new tax credit for family caregivers, aimed at appealing to the “sandwich generation” of adults caring for aging parents and raising children. Trump’s other proposals include eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits, tips, and overtime pay—a bid to win over older and working-class voters.
When Trump took the stage, he posed his frequent rally opener, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” He criticized what he described as “gross incompetence” in the current administration and pledged to restore what he called the “greatest years in American history.” His speech covered familiar themes of immigration reform, advocating the death penalty for any undocumented immigrant who kills a U.S. citizen, and promised to end the “migrant invasion” on his first day in office.
Elon Musk’s attendance at the rally also drew attention, especially as Trump called him a “genius” and “special,” referencing Musk’s proposed role in a federal government efficiency task force. This potential role would allow Musk, a prominent government contractor, to conduct audits across various federal departments. Despite Musk’s known reliance on government contracts through his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, the proposal has been welcomed by Trump supporters. Musk remained on stage with Melania Trump as Trump continued his speech.
The Madison Square Garden rally drew comparisons to Trump’s rallies during his 2016 campaign, even as some Democrats cautioned that the event’s rhetoric risked veering into authoritarian territory. Many speakers ridiculed such warnings, with Hogan’s remark, “I don’t see no stinkin’ Nazis in here,” capturing the event’s defiant tone.
Security outside the arena was heightened, and Trump supporters packed the sidewalks wearing red “Make America Great Again” hats. The energy was high as Trump took the stage nearly two hours late, having traveled to New York despite the state’s firmly Democratic lean. Though New York has not voted Republican in a presidential election in over four decades, Trump insists that he can win the state’s voters. His campaign stop aligns with a broader strategy to mobilize support in areas like New York, especially in tightly contested congressional races that could sway control of the House.
In his closing, Trump offered a rare nod to New York, saying that “no city embodies the spirit” of the American people more, and reminisced about attending events at Madison Square Garden in his youth. After he concluded, opera singer Christopher Macchio took the stage to perform “New York, New York,” as Trump and his wife, Melania, watched.
