On Thursday evening, former president Donald Trump held a rally in Crotona Park right in the middle of The Bronx. This bold move to campaign in what has historically been a solidly blue district is part of Trump’s strategy to put Democrat-owned territories in play for the 2024 election, a piece of wild confidence that is backed up by poll numbers.
Some 18 percent of all Black voters lean toward Trump, and 29 percent of all young (18-49) Black voters lean Trump according to Pew Research. While it doesn’t seem like much, this margin is historic. As Newsweek writes: “Donald Trump Poised to Win More Black Votes Than Any Republican in History.” Support for Trump has also been increasing among Latino voters: 46 percent prefer Trump to Biden, according to a March poll from The New York Times and Siena College.
The rally occurred in the district of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the prominent democratic socialist Congresswoman who was repeatedly sparred with Trump since she assumed office in January 2019. Ahead of the rally, AOC was hoping the event would be ruined by a rainstorm.
God is Good 🙏🏽 https://t.co/YUUCPhZ4oJ
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 23, 2024
During his speech, Trump appealed to the multiracial electorate of the Bronx: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or brown or white or whatever the hell color you are, it doesn’t matter. We are all Americans, and we’re going to pull together as Americans.” He specifically appealed to their economic interests, citing low inflation, employment levels, and the health of small businesses during his first term as key strengths he wields over President Biden’s record.
TRUMP: "It doesn't matter whether you're black or brown or white or whatever the hell color you are, it doesn't matter. We are all Americans.” pic.twitter.com/quVeGXlXsQ
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 23, 2024
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“New York was where you came to make it big. You want to make it big, you had to be in New York,” Trump told the audience. “But sadly, this is now a city in decline.”
“We’re going to bring safety back to our streets. We’re going to bring success back to our schools. We’re going to bring prosperity back to every neighborhood in every borough of the greatest city in our land. We’re going to reduce taxes. We’re going to bring businesses and big taxpayers back to New York,” Trump continued. He added that New York’s migrant crisis is disproportionately hurting Blacks and Hispanics the most. “The biggest negative impact is against our Black population and against our Hispanic population who are losing their jobs, losing their housing, losing everything they can lose.”
“African Americans are getting slaughtered. Hispanic Americans are getting slaughtered,” he said.
A Fox News reporter interviewed various attendees of the rally, allowing them to speak against AOC’s statement Trump was trying to “trick” people in the Bronx and her claim that many of the rally attendees were bussed in from different areas.
Voters in the Bronx have a message for @AOC…
"Everybody's here for TRUMP!"
"I am a Democrat — and I belong here."
"She has done NOTHING for the Bronx." pic.twitter.com/EJUBADvKpz
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 24, 2024
One attendee interviewed by Turning Point USA went viral for her answer to the accusation (made by President Joe Biden himself) that she isn’t truly Black if she votes for Trump. “Well, then I guess I identify as a White man! I don’t care what anybody has to say. I’m a mother, I care about the future of my child, and I care about policies over rhetoric.”
Love this woman. "I guess I identify as a white man," 🤣🤣
President Trump is the president of the people! pic.twitter.com/ZH6oV8gaGs— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) May 23, 2024
Ruben Diaz Sr., a former New York City Councilman, was invited on stage to speak. “I want to join you in having the Bronx great again … please accept my endorsement to you as the president.”
Rubén Díaz Sr, a Puerto Rican politician from New York City, ENDORSES President Trump in the Bronx.
AOC is somewhere crying. pic.twitter.com/DkYVMrjwgQ
— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) May 23, 2024
Madeline Brame, an activist with Blexit (an organization started by Candace Owens to help secure political independence for Black American voters), took the stage to denounce AOC for her comments. “None of you here are paid to be here. She got on color TV this morning and said that Trump bussed in these people and paid everyone out here. Who here got paid to be here today? Or are you here because you know that this is the time in history? That you in the right place in the right time and you need to be here today?
WATCH: Blexit activist Madeline Brame @brame_madeline BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE ahead of Trump Bronx speech at 6:00pm ET pic.twitter.com/xhPkRD0ItZ
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) May 23, 2024
Watch Vincent Oshana’s sketch below:
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics and business for VT and a regular guest on The Unusual Suspects. Follow Shane’s work here.
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