Trump to rally in Madison Square Garden in a state he says he could win : NPR

Former President Donald Trump is about to rally in Madison Sq. Backyard Sunday night — leaving key battleground states and as an alternative spending valuable time in liberal New York Metropolis for an “epic occasion,” in response to the Trump marketing campaign.

This is not the primary time Trump has rallied in and round New York Metropolis. Again in Could, throughout his felony hush-money trial, the previous president campaigned within the South Bronx, courting minority voters. Then in September, Trump held one other rally in Lengthy Island the place he instructed the group, “We’re going to win New York.”

The previous president misplaced his house state by round 23 share factors through the 2016 and 2020 elections. Present polling averages of the Empire State present Trump is trailing Vice President Harris by round 15 factors.

Regardless of this, the Trump marketing campaign is pouring important assets and star energy into Sunday’s rally at Madison Sq. Backyard. Star surrogates like former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), tech billionaire Elon Musk and Trump working mate Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) are all set to talk. They may notably not be in key swing states — those that may decide who wins the White Home.

Harris, in the meantime, spent her Sunday in a swing state — Pennsylvania — talking after the sermon on the Church of Christian Compassion in West Philadelphia, and choosing up some books at Hakim’s Bookstore.

She met with a gaggle of younger Black males at PhillyCuts barbershop, and sat in a chair that the barbers referred to as the “fortunate chair” — they instructed her that each one candidates working for workplace who sat in it gained their elections.

Home management by way of New York

A better have a look at the visitor record supplies political causes for the Madison Sq. Backyard rally. The record options outstanding Republicans Home Speaker Mike Johnson and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Again in 2022, Republicans narrowly gained management of the U.S. Home because of a handful of New York districts that elected Republicans — akin to Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and Rep. Mike Lawler. These Republicans, who characterize districts from Lengthy Island to Syracuse, now face powerful races towards Democrats this November.

Trump seemingly will not win the Empire State for himself this 12 months, however the marketing campaign is actually working laborious to maintain Republican management of the U.S. Home.

Past political technique, the occasion is gaining consideration — a necessary commodity within the closing days of the election. Madison Sq. Backyard additionally has a storied political previous.

In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave one among his most necessary and combative speeches on the New York venue, railing towards the institution. Three years later, 20,000 gathered there for a “Professional America Rally” supporting Adolf Hilter in 1939.

And in 1962, Marilyn Monroe sang completely happy birthday to 45-year-old President John F. Kennedy. In 2004, the Backyard hosted the Republican Nationwide Conference. Now it welcomes a Republican as soon as once more.

NPR’s Asma Khalid contributed to this report from Philadelphia.