By LOIS WEISS
Donald Trump brought the Trump Train to Madison Square Garden on Sunday, October 27, and like other rallies, it was filled to the rafters with supporters both inside and out.
"We're a big, powerful party, and they're losing it," Trump said. "They're really losing it. Together we will lift America to glory beyond your wildest dreams."
The day before, Trump derangement syndrome had caught up with former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who had lashed out comparing Trump supporters at the Garden to "a Nazi rally."
When he became President, Trump said he could have prosecuted Clinton for having thousands of messages on an unsecured computer server at her home and destroying evidence by smashing her Blackberry phone but decided not to do so as a gesture of healing.
Though scheduled to appear at 5 pm Trump wasn't introduced by Melania until 7:45 pm as numerous other speakers who kicked off the rally at 2:30 pm took way more than their allotted time.
Singer Lee Greenwood serenaded the couple as they held hands, kissed and hugged, with what has become Trump's theme song, "God Bless the USA" also known as "Proud to be an American," while the crowd sung along.
Knowing how late it was, Trump pretty much stuck to his script and did not even introduce most of the elected officials who were hoping for that attention. Twice he even asked the audience if he should introduce them, noting "It's a long list," and ultimately skipped the intros. He did mention some of them in passing, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Others in attendance included former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife, Callista, who sat alone in the first row of the VIP area and listened to the other speakers while most of the other big shots hung out backstage. Callista was Trump's Ambassador to the Holy See during his first term.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who represents Staten Island and Brooklyn was there and held her own rally a few days later while Rep. Elise Stefanik from upstate New York spoke. She has blasted the heads of colleges who allowed anti-semitic protests on their campuses.
There were also a smattering of celebs like Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino, plus what Trump calls his "First Row Joe's" like Brick Man, who sports a red brick patterned suit. Trump often teases he will get one to wear some day. Reporter Benny Johnson from The Benny Show, Black Maga supporter, Terrence Williams and rapper Forgiata Blow were also in a box close to the stage. Scott Pressler took time out from signing up new voters to make it to MSG with several friends.
Rapper Forgiata Blow, Black Maga supporter Terrence Williams and reporter You Tuber Benny Johnson sat in the front row of a small box near the stage.
Private equity and real estate investor Grant Cardone spoke as did New York and Miami developer Steve Witkoff, who gave $1 million to Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse for North Carolina hurricane relief. Perhaps these two can make some needed changes at the US General Services Administration and ditch both waste and outdated bricks and get them back on local tax rolls.
Trump political advisor, Stephen Miller, and Trump's former caddy, Dan Scavino, who later became head of the Trump National Golf Course and his social media maven on the campaign trail, both spoke as well.
Dana White said a vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for the status quo.
Ohio Senator and Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance supported his running mate.
Elon Musk bounded to the stage after being introduced by Cantor Fitzgerald's Howard Lutnick. The two will head up a cost cutting department for Trump and believe they can cut $2 trillion from the budget. Soon, all they will need is an X-shaped scissor logo and a sharpie - or a chain saw, as they prefer.
"Your money is being wasted -- and the Department of Government Efficiency is going to fix that," Musk declared, wearing a black suit and now his signature Goth-lettered black MAGA hat. "We're going to get the government off your back and out of your pocketbook."
But Elon, his mom, Maye Musk, and his little son stole the attention of both Melania and the photographers as Trump was speaking. At one point the little boy ended up wearing a red cap promoting upstate NY Rep. Claudia Tenney.
Dr. Phil McGraw drawled on for 17 minutes and nearly put everyone to sleep but admonished the left, "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, then it is beyond ugly...That is what is happening in this country right now, and that is not OK." Dr. Phil also asked people not to bully others because of their politics.
During one emotional moment, former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “I asked God for 19 years to put me in a position where I could end the chronic disease epidemic and bring health back to our children, and in August, God sent me Donald Trump.”
Kennedy is expected to help a Trump administration with ensuring unsafe vaccines and food additives are eliminated. A few days later on a Newsnation Town Hall, Kennedy said President Donald Trump had asked him to lead the reorganization of the CDC,, NIH, USFDA,as well as parts of the USDA. .
Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is now a Republican, got many cheers. Other speakers included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.
Hulk Hogan lifted the spirits of the tired crowd with a entrance befitting the World Wrestling Federation as he was sporting a red bandanna, red Trump Vance muscle-shirt, sunglasses, a huge yellow and red boa and carrying an American flag.
Ripping his shirt the Hulk declared, "We all know Trump is the only man that can fix this country today, and with Trump as our commander in chief, peace through strength will fix all of our problems in the Middle East."
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, Majority Whip Tom Emmer were also in the audience.
WABC radio shock jock Sid Rosenberg recently returned from Israel where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. He condemned the Democrats for calling rallygoers Nazis but had a pottymouth at MSG and was ridiculed by media.
Trump attorney Alina Habba wore a sparkly Trump MAGA jacket that she draped over the podium.
Scott LoBaido unveiled a painting of Trump holding the Empire State Building.
The rally began with edgy comedian, Tony Hinchcliffe, who is known for his pointed roasting. Instead, he made lame asides, such as one about Palestinians and Jews settling their arguments by simply using the game Rock Paper Sissors. "Of course, the Palestinians will only throw rocks," he said to groans from the crowd. His worst remarks were those referencing Puerto Rico's land fill issues as he called it a "floating island of garbage" and set off a firestorm of criticism. The Trump campaign distanced itself from the fray but it was obvious, someone goofed. Was it Trump's youngest son, Barron, an NYU college student, who suggested him? Still the comedian's remarks should have been vetted. Barron was likely swamped with homework and not at the rally.
The next day, President Biden called Trump supporters "garbage" and Trump quickly gained momentum from the insult by boarding a garbage truck in Wisconsin and speaking at that rally in a construction vest. The idea went viral and both Don Jr. and Eric wore garbage bags as Halloween costumes while MAGA supporters did the same. Many memes appeared with trash cans racing down the street to vote or referenced Sesame Street's Oscar the Grouch.
Don Jr. along with Eric and his wife Lara - who is co-chair of the Republican National Committee -- also spoke at MSG while his youngest daughter, Tiffany, now pregnant, and her husband Michael Boulos, sat in the crowd while scrolling their phones.
The First Lady was introduced by Elon Musk to the Guns 'N Roses, song, "Paradise City," and took to the stage in a long, black and white zebra like coat.
Trump ended the rally with Melania at his side as singer Christopher Macchio serenaded them with Frank Sinatra’s "New York, New York.
But Trump remained on stage until the signature verses of his usual rally walk off tune, the Village People's "YMCA," blared out and he was able to do his fist pumping dance as the crowd roared.
Outside, the over 90,000 who were unable to get inside the venue watched on the large video screens set up on the building. The diverse crowds held up Israeli flags alongside Trump flags.
Trump is uniting at least part of the country.
Comments