[Report] Trump Appears in 'Democratic Stronghold' New York: "Kamala, You're Fired"…Supporters Gather

[US Election 2024]

"Trump will restore the fallen America. Make America Great Again (MAGA)!"

On the 27th (local time) at 11 a.m. near Madison Square Garden in New York, nine days before the U.S. presidential election, the area around Madison Square Garden, where Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump came for a campaign rally, was filled with supporters from the morning. Supporters wearing shirts and hats with slogans such as 'MAGA' and 'Trump,' the campaign slogans of former President Trump, and wrapped in the American flag, arrived hours early and lined up to see Trump's rally scheduled for 5 p.m. in person.

Laura, a woman in her 50s who arrived early at the rally site that morning, said, "Trump is the right person to revive the U.S. economy and eradicate illegal immigration and crime," adding, "I voted for Trump in the last two elections and will vote for him again this year." Fred, a man in his 40s, said, "Only Trump's strong leadership can normalize America and pull the world out of war to bring peace and stability."

On the 27th (local time), ahead of the campaign rally of former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to be held at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York, the police are strengthening their security measures. New York ? Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

Supporters are waiting to attend the campaign rally of former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, held on the 27th (local time) at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. New York ? Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

Trump Confident Visiting Democratic Stronghold... "Kamala, You're Fired"

New York has traditionally been a stronghold of Democratic support. However, for Republican presidential candidate former President Trump, it holds symbolic significance as his hometown and the base of his real estate business. As the election on November 5 approaches, Trump, buoyed by rising poll numbers, is showing confidence through rallies in the heart of Manhattan, a Democratic stronghold, delivering his final messages to voters and aiming to further solidify his support base. In a radio interview with Fox News on the 23rd, he said, "If possible, I want to win in New York," adding, "I think there is a real opportunity given that immigrants have taken over New York."

On this day, Manhattan resembled 'Trump World.' The area around Madison Square Garden, the rally venue, was filled with Trump supporters from the morning. Supporters carrying flags with slogans such as "God's chosen Trump" and "Trump fighting evil" were seen marching on streets near the rally site. In front of the New York Times (NYT) building on 8th Avenue, a procession of vehicles decorated with flags reading 'Trump 2024' and 'MAGA' and American flags continued. Merchants capitalizing on the Trump boom were selling various Trump goods such as hats, shirts, and souvenirs throughout the streets.

On the 27th (local time), a voter near Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York, expressed support for former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate. New York ? Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

Amid cheers from supporters, former President Trump, who took the stage that day, said, "I'm glad to be back in the city I love," and started with a simple question: "Is it better now than it was four years ago?" The supporters at the rally shouted, "No." He emphasized, "We will stop inflation, prevent criminals from entering our country, and make the American Dream possible again," adding, "It will be a new golden age for America." He also criticized "(Democratic presidential candidate) Kamala Harris (Vice President) as a mess. Joe Biden is also a mess," raising his voice, "We will no longer allow them to destroy our country. Kamala, you're fired." Additionally, he announced further pledges such as tax credits for caregivers.

At the New York rally that day, his running mate, Vice Presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani also took the stage. CEO Musk emphasized, "America will reach unprecedented levels," and "An amazing future is coming." Melania Trump, who had refrained from official appearances, also appeared. Melania, who was not originally listed as a speaker, said, "Unfortunately, quality of life has declined and economic instability has increased today. New York City and America need to regain their magic," introducing former President Trump as the final speaker.

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is giving a speech at Madison Square Garden in New York on the 27th (local time). [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is appealing for support at former President Donald Trump's rally held on the evening of the 27th (local time) at Madison Square Garden in New York.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Harris Leads in Early Voting... To Korean Reporter: "Trump Will Make Your Country Pay More"

New York citizens are actively participating in early voting, showing higher interest than ever before. Early voting for the presidential election began on the 26th in New York. On the morning of the second day of early voting, voters continued to visit the polling station set up at the New York City Art and Design High School. Michael Misko, coordinator, said, "2,200 people voted early yesterday alone, and even though today is Sunday when many people attend church, more voters than expected are coming to the polling station," conveying the atmosphere that "voters' interest in early voting is hot."

Since New York is a Democratic stronghold, most voters met at the polling station supported Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. Jordan, a 26-year-old resident of New York, said, "Trump is a threat to democracy and is negative about women's abortion rights," emphasizing, "For America to move forward, Harris must be elected." A woman in her 70s who refused to reveal her name said, "Trump is a businessman who only cares about money," adding, "What he says today is different from yesterday, and his policies are the same." When told by a reporter affiliated with a Korean media outlet, she criticized, "If Trump is elected, he will make your country pay more money," adding, "He has no allies or values. Trump is a businessman who only looks out for himself."

On the 27th, voters are casting early votes at the New York School of Art and Design, where early voting stations have been set up ahead of the U.S. presidential election on the 5th of next month (local time). New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

U.S. Presidential Election 9 Days Away, Neck-and-Neck Race Until the End

With only nine days left until the U.S. presidential election, the two candidates continue an unprecedentedly close race. According to a CBS News and YouGov poll released that day, Vice President Harris holds 50% support nationwide, leading former President Trump, who has 49%, by 1 percentage point. In a mid-month poll, Harris and Trump had 51% and 48% support respectively, a 3-point gap that has narrowed as the election approaches. The last poll released on the 25th by the New York Times and Siena College also shows an uncertain outlook. According to this poll, Harris and Trump are tied at 48%. Earlier this month, the same poll showed Harris leading Trump by 3 points (49% to 46%), but the gap has completely closed.

As Trump's support rises and the gap between the two candidates narrows, some analyses suggest an unfavorable situation for Vice President Harris. Especially in the seven key battleground states that will decide the election, Trump is leading in support. According to an Emerson College poll released on the 24th, Trump leads Harris by 1 percentage point in Pennsylvania and by 1-2 points in North Carolina and Wisconsin. There is also the variable of the 'Shy Trump' phenomenon, where Trump may receive 2-3 percentage points more votes in the actual election than in polls. Forbes stated, "Harris shows a slight lead over Trump, but the race for the White House is neck and neck," diagnosing, "With less than two weeks left until the election, an unpredictable competition is unfolding."