Trump Tells New York Rally Crowd He’ll Visit Springfield, Ohio, Soon

At a rally in Long Island, New York, former President Donald Trump announced plans to visit Springfield, Ohio, where he recently made controversial remarks about the community. Trump claimed that residents there were resorting to eating pets due to dire circumstances.

“I’m going to Springfield, and I’m going to Aurora,” Trump told attendees, indicating he would visit within the next two weeks.

While discussing the alleged situation in Springfield, Trump did not specify the ethnic background of the migrants he referenced when making his statement about pet consumption. Meanwhile, his running mate, JD Vance, raised concerns on social media regarding Haitian migrants allegedly draining local social services in the area.

Vance previously stated, “Kamala Harris dropped 20,000 Haitian migrants into a small Ohio town, and chaos has ensued,” drawing attention to the issues in the community as he criticized the current administration.

Trump’s rally aimed at engaging New York voters, particularly as it is a predominantly blue state. This event marked his second rally in New York during a busy campaign schedule that includes regular court appearances related to his New York civil fraud trial.

While addressing the crowd, Trump warned that if Vice President Kamala Harris won the elections in November, New York might deteriorate further, stating it could become “a third-world country, if it isn’t already.”

Speaking at the Nassau Coliseum, a venue accommodating up to 16,000 people, Trump expressed gratitude to law enforcement for thwarting an assassination attempt on him just days prior. He praised the woman who captured an image of the suspect’s vehicle, expressing a desire to meet her.

He sharply criticized what he termed “radical left Democrat politicians and the fake news media,” calling them out for their actions against him.

“It’s time to stop the lies, stop the hoaxes, stop the smears, stop the lawfare or the fake lawsuits against me,” Trump said. “Give me a break. Because the fact is that I’m not a threat to democracy. They are.”

In addition, Trump pledged to reinstate the SALT (state and local tax) deductions that were capped at $10,000 in his 2017 tax reform, a move aimed at winning over critical New York voters.

As the rally unfolded, vendors outside the Coliseum sold various Trump merchandise amidst a festive atmosphere, featuring upbeat music and extravagant displays of devotion to the former president, including golden cars adorned with his image and flashy jackets.

According to Trump’s campaign, around 60,000 tickets were requested, suggesting this could be one of his most significant rallies in the current campaign cycle. Attendees formed long lines wrapping around the venue well before doors opened.

Interestingly, Trump’s rally coincided with the day he was supposed to be sentenced in his New York civil fraud trial. However, a judge postponed his sentencing to November 26, after the presidential election.

Leading up to his rally, Trump reached out to New Yorkers by promising to overturn the contentious tax policy he enacted in 2017. He reiterated his commitment to “get SALT back,” hinting at the elimination of the cap on state and local tax deductions, as his previous tax legislation was a point of contention for many in the region.

Many Republican congressional members from New York have been actively advocating for a reversal of the SALT deduction cap, contributing to ongoing discussions surrounding the policy.

While local Republicans have applauded Trump’s renewed stance on the tax deduction, there are growing concerns about how his proposed tax breaks could lead to significant increases in the federal deficit.

In an assertive message to potential voters, Trump stated, “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE? VOTE FOR TRUMP! I will turn it around, get SALT back, lower your Taxes, and so much more,” encouraging attendance at his rally.

Earlier in the year, during a rally in the predominantly Democratic South Bronx, Trump aimed to attract Hispanic and Black voters, asserting that there was significant support for his campaign in areas typically dominated by Democrats.

While emphasizing optimism about his chances, he urged supporters in heavily blue regions to remain hopeful as he suggested that the tide was turning in his favor.

This rally marked a significant campaign moment for Trump, showcasing his response to recent challenges including the assassination threat during a golf outing. Following the suburban rally, Trump had drawn a crowd of nearly 4,000 in previous engagements targeted at Michigan voters, making this Long Island event four times larger.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has maintained a presence in various parts of New York City, emphasizing public safety, union support, and framing his legal challenges as political persecution. His earlier visits to various sites in New York aimed to highlight his connections with local communities amid ongoing legal scrutiny.

As the election season heats up, Trump’s rally efforts reflect a broader strategy to sway voters in traditionally blue areas and bolster Republican morale in down-ballot races at a crucial time for the party.

Source: ABC News