Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign rally in the South Bronx on Thursday, a bold gesture in a district that hasn’t supported a Republican in the White House in 100 years.
No Republican candidate has won the Bronx since Calvin Coolidge won every county in the Empire State in 1920 and 1924, and he fell short of 10% support in 2016, four years ago. Mr. Trump, who barely reached 15%, is unlikely to break that trend.
But the Trump campaign claims Thursday night’s event at Crotona Park, which drew up to 3,500 people, is in line with how the 77-year-old’s team has been “taking advantage” of New York City through “hush money” lawsuits. are doing. Trump has been holed up in a Manhattan courtroom for weeks, part of the 45th president’s larger strategy to reach traditionally Democratic voters.
go home again
Thursday’s rally will be Trump’s first campaign stop in his home state since a rally in Buffalo in 2016, and a highly successful seaside event in the coastal New Jersey town of Wildwood earlier this month drew an estimated 100,000 fans of the former president to New Jersey.
“This park can only hold a few thousand people. So this is by no means Wildwood. But you know, President Trump is certainly not afraid to show up,” Trump campaign spokesperson Danielle said. Alvarez told the Post.
“We were able to leverage this city. Whether it was in Democratic strongholds like a bodega in Harlem or showing up one morning at a Teamsters construction site, you’ve seen the support. The president had broad support, even in places you support that are traditionally considered Democratic strongholds.”
“While we’re in court, we have New York City as a backdrop,” Alvarez continued, noting that Trump often speaks to the media outside the courtroom and also conducts interviews from Trump Tower four times a week during proceedings. He pointed out that
“The most important thing is to create a media moment reserved for the campaign,” one Trump ally argued. “No one is better than Donald Trump when it comes to creating a spectacle that gets the media hyped.”
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” added another source close to the campaign.
“President Trump is taking advantage of being stuck in New York to hold a rally that is sure to highlight how Joe Biden has let down Bronx residents on inflation and open borders.” The nation’s largest outlet is headquartered in New York. [Manhattan DA Alvin] Mr. Bragg inadvertently gave Mr. Trump a big stage. ”
advance
The Bronx is the only borough of New York City’s five boroughs with a majority Hispanic population. Black and young voters also make up a sizable share, and the Trump campaign sees this as an opportunity.
Polls show the 45th president has been able to make inroads with these demographics this cycle, and a leading Biden pollster recently said the president’s re-election campaign could “do better” with these blocks. We need to do this.”
In a recent study published by New York Times, Siena College, Philadelphia Inquirer It was revealed that President Trump’s approval rating among black voters is 23%. This is the highest level for a Republican presidential candidate since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“We’ve seen tremendous momentum and enthusiasm from Black and brown communities across the country, even in blue states like New York and New Jersey,” said Team Trump Black Media Director Janiya Thomas. There are,” Janiya Thomas, director of Team Trump Black Media, told the Post.
“Under crooked Joe Biden, New Yorkers have faced a 17.5% price increase, causing families to spend significantly more on necessities like food, housing and electricity,” Thomas added. “Since 2019, violent crime has skyrocketed in New York City, with homicides increasing by 23.1% and felony assaults increasing by 35.4%. Black and brown neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by inflation and rising crime rates. and endangering the safety and well-being of our families.”
expansion of the battlefield
No Republican has won New York since Ronald Reagan in 1984, and the last Republican to win New Jersey was George H.W. Bush in 1988.
However, the Trump campaign has been keen to attack Democrats in traditional turf, most recently in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (all three states he won in 2016). Beyond, he cites Virginia and Minnesota as pickup opportunities.
On Friday, Mr. Trump took a rare break from court to attend his son Barron’s high school graduation in West Palm Beach, Florida, before flying to Minnesota to speak at the state Republican Party banquet.
“He’s showing up in a different way than Joe Biden,” Alvarez said. “Democrats are beating their chest and saying, ‘We’re going to show up faster than ever.’ We’ve opened x offices.” Did you know they haven’t done that in three and a half years? A single policy that directly benefits businesses and families. ”
Officials close to the Republican National Committee recommended a more cautious approach.
“The map is very small and there are very few battlefields, so it makes sense to try to expand the map,” this person said. “But it’s also dangerous because it can be fool’s gold that distracts you.” [focusing on] Arizona or Michigan.”
However, the source added, “Holding a rally in New York is about more than just scheduling nearby events around the court’s schedule.” This is an aggressive ploy to force Biden to divert money and resources from states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. ”
message
At Crotona Park, Mr. Trump is likely to focus on the same issues as at other rallies: the economy, illegal immigration and the criminal charges against him.
“The Empire State, close to President Trump’s heartland, was destroyed by Biden. President Trump will ease the economic pressure on families and restore law and order to New York!” the Trump campaign said in an announcement of the rally. Ta.
“We can make America great again by tackling illegality head-on, ending the endless flow of illegal immigrants across our southern border, and reversing the effects of inflation by restoring people’s wealth.”
