Donald Trump drew a huge crowd to Madison Square Garden in New York City last night. The presidential candidate held a packed rally that filled the iconic arena to capacity, according to multiple sources.
Outside the arena, an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 additional supporters gathered, hoping to get inside or to listen through speakers placed around the area.
The massive turnout, both inside and outside the stadium, underlines Donald Trump’s continued strong influence among his supporters as he campaigns hard for the presidential election on 4 November.
Throughout the evening, several high-profile celebrities joined Trump on stage to show their support for his candidacy.
Among the guests was tech magnate Elon Musk, who praised Trump’s vision for economic growth and innovation. Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, made a rare public appearance and thanked the audience for their continued support.
BREAKING: OVER 94,500 ARE AT RIGHTFUL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN RALLY!
The arena has reached MAX CAPACITY of 19,500 & NYPD has reported 75,000 OUTSIDE!
This is the BIGGEST RALLY I’ve ever been at!
No BUSSES or TWERKING RAPPERS needed!
pic.twitter.com/vAWLZTmjbV— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) October 27, 2024
RFK Jr, Elon Musk and Dr. Phil among the speakers
Other speakers included former talk show host Dr Phil, political outsider and independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr and wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who used his trademark energy to urge the audience to support Trump’s mission.
Members of Trump’s inner circle, including his sons Eric and Donald Jr, added to the personal tone of the evening. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a strong Trump ally, took to the stage to express his support for Trump’s goal of what he called a “restoration of America’s traditional values”.
Vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, a current senator, also spoke passionately, emphasising his agreement with Trump’s platform, which Vance described as a fight for the ordinary American worker.
HOLY SH*T Elon just Roared and flexed to his 200 million followers at Madison Square Garden
Mainstream Media will NEVER show you this
“I’m not just Maga, I am Dark Gothic MAGA”
THIS IS HISTORIC pic.twitter.com/TDZ2jNcuQp
— Marjorie Taylor Greene Press Release (Parody) (@MTGrepp) October 27, 2024
Focus on jobs
Trump himself emphasised his main campaign themes: economic growth, job creation and reversing what he described as the failures of the Biden administration.
He portrayed himself as a leader capable of leading the country towards a populist renaissance, and pointed to his previous time as president as a roadmap for what he hopes to achieve if he is re-elected in 2024.
The Madison Square Garden rally is significant because it was held in Donald Trump’s former home state, where the political scene is largely in the hands of the Democrats. Nevertheless, the large turnout and enthusiasm at the rally demonstrated Trump’s ability to mobilise his base even in regions where he may face stiffer opposition.
Media coverage of the event was extensive, with several news outlets highlighting the scale and intensity of support for Trump in the heart of New York City. Analysts have also noted that Trump’s rallies consistently draw large crowds, indicating strong grassroots support that could be crucial in his 2024 campaign.
TRUMP tonight in Madison Square Garden: “We will get the transgender insanity the hell out of our schools and we will keep men out of women’s sports.” pic.twitter.com/8XgywsesHS
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) October 28, 2024