Trump leads New York rally after vulgar, racist comments from allies

Republican candidate Donald Trump led a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday that began with a series of vulgar and racist comments by allies of the former president.

Trump, a New York celebrity for decades, hoped to use the event on the iconic stage to make his closing argument against Democrat Kamala Harris, even though the state last backed a Republican presidential candidate in 1984.

Trump repeatedly spoke about his plans to stop illegal immigration and deport immigrants he described as “vicious, bloodthirsty criminals” if he wins the Nov. 5 election.

“On day one I will launch the largest deportation program in the history of the United States,” he said. “I will rescue all cities and towns that have been invaded and conquered.”

Trump called Harris a “very low IQ person” and received applause from his supporters for his tough rhetoric toward immigrants.

He pledged to ban sanctuary cities, which refuse to cooperate with the federal government in enforcing immigration laws, and to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport immigrants with criminal records.

Trump, who appeared more than two hours later than scheduled, was introduced by his wife, Melania Trump, in an unusual public appearance for the former first lady, who has not accompanied her husband on the campaign.

A long list of opening speakers included former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr.

Some used racist and misogynistic language to heat up the atmosphere in front of a packed stadium.

Giuliani, Trump’s former personal lawyer, falsely claimed that Harris was “on the side of the terrorists” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe used foul language when he joked that Latinos “love having babies” and called the US territory of Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.”

The joke soon received criticism from Harris’ campaign team, who competes with Trump for the votes of Puerto Rican communities in Pennsylvania and other states without a clear political preference.

On a campaign stop, Harris visited a Puerto Rican restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city, on Sunday and posted a video on social media promising to “invest in the future of Puerto Rico” as president.

Renowned Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny gave his support to Harris shortly before Hinchcliffe’s event. The interpreter was joined by famous names of Puerto Rican artists such as Ricky Martin and Jennifer López, who published their support for the Democrat to their millions of followers on social networks.

Trump’s usually combative campaign team took the unusual step of distancing itself from Hinchcliffe. “This joke does not reflect the positions of President Donald Trump or his campaign,” adviser Danielle Alvarez said in a statement.

But other speakers also made inflammatory comments. David Rem, a childhood friend of Trump, referred to Harris as “the antichrist” and “the devil.” Businessman Grant Cardone told the crowd that the Democratic vice president and her “pimps will destroy our country.”

The Madison Square Garden event was a reflection of the tone that the former president has used throughout his third campaign towards the White House. Although he refrained from doing so on Sunday, Trump often refers to Harris in offensive and personal terms, calling into question the Democratic candidate’s mental stability and intelligence in recent weeks, in addition to calling her “lazy,” an adjective racist that has long been commonly used against black people.

Harris’ campaign said in an email that the Madison Square Garden rally was “reflecting the same dangerously divisive and degrading message” as Trump.

Trump’s 2016 presidential opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, accused him of “recreating” a pro-Nazi rally held at Madison Square Garden in 1939 before World War II.

Trump’s critics have long accused him of empowering white supremacists with dehumanizing and racist rhetoric.

“Today this is Donald Trump’s house,” wrestler Hulk Hogan said Sunday. He rejected accusations that Trump is a fascist: “I don’t see any Nazis here.”

Trump touted his foreign policy record during his 2017-21 presidency and said he would not start wars in office, although he added that if the United States had a war with China, “we would kick their butts.”

Polls show Harris and Trump are tied in the key states that will decide who will be the next president with just over a week until Election Day. More than 38 million votes have already been cast nationwide.

[Con información de Reuters y The Associated Press]

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