Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump held a large-scale rally in the iconic Madison Square Garden, attracting thousands of supporters and the media. The event, which took place a week before the election, was accompanied by loud speeches, controversial statements and a series of promises of a tough migration policy, Reuters reports.
More than 20,000 Trump supporters gathered at Madison Square Garden, where the politician focused on border security and the fight against illegal migration. “On day one, we will launch the largest deportation programme in American history,” Trump said. He also promised to step up the fight against “sanctuary cities” and threatened to use laws dating back to 1798 to deport migrants with criminal records.
The rally was opened by speakers such as former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former wrestler Hulk Hogan, who attracted attention with provocative comments. Some of these remarks were condemned as racist and sexist, drawing criticism from Trump’s opponents. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who was meeting with voters in Philadelphia that day, condemned the rally’s rhetoric, calling it a “dangerous and divisive show”.
Trump’s presence in New York City, a city considered a democracy, is indicative of his ambition to win support even in traditionally oppositional regions. “We are bringing America back to its greatness,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Trump’s rhetoric has already sparked a flurry of reactions from his political opponents and celebrities. In particular, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton compared the rally to the events of extremists in the 1930s. Trump, however, rejected such criticism, stressing that his movement is only about making America strong.
At the moment, both candidates – Harris and Trump – are neck and neck in key states, and the election results remain unpredictable.
