‘It Was a Lovefest’: Donald Trump Claims ‘Winning Over’ Democrat Bastion of South Bronx with Huge Turnout

South Bronx, New York — Former US President Donald Trump held a lively rally in the South Bronx on Thursday, targeting one of the most Democratic counties in the nation to appeal to minority voters. Trump described the event as a massive win for his campaign, celebrating the turnout and response.

The rally, held in Crotona Park, marked Trump’s first major campaign stop in New York since 2016, just days before a Manhattan jury is set to deliberate on felony charges in his criminal hush money trial. Addressing a crowd that included significant numbers of Black and Hispanic supporters, Trump positioned himself as a stronger advocate for minority communities than President Joe Biden, especially on immigration issues. Despite the park’s capacity of 3,500, thousands more gathered outside.

“The biggest negative impact of the influx of migrants in New York is against our Black population and our Hispanic population who are losing their jobs, losing their housing, losing everything they can lose,” Trump declared, prompting chants of “Build the wall” from the audience.

Reflecting on the event, Trump said he was initially uncertain about the reception he’d receive in the Bronx. “I said, ‘I wonder, will it be hostile or will it be friendly?’” he remarked. “It was beyond friendly. It was a lovefest.”

Significance of Trump’s High Turnout in South Bronx

The Bronx is known as the most Democratic borough in New York City. In 2012, Barack Obama won 91.2% of the borough’s vote, the highest in the state, and Joe Biden won 83.5% in 2020, while Trump garnered only 16%.

Protests were also present, with the Bronx Democratic Party holding a counter-event and union members carrying signs reading “The Bronx says no to Trump.” Democratic State Rep. Amanda Septimo criticized Trump’s visit, accusing him of exploiting the community’s struggles without offering solutions.

The area Trump visited is overwhelmingly non-white, with about 65% of residents being Hispanic and 31% Black, according to U.S. Census data. Approximately 35% live below the poverty line.

Trump’s Election Campaign in New York

This rally was part of a series of local events Trump has planned while confined to New York for his trial. Over the past six weeks, he has visited a Harlem bodega, a construction site, and a firehouse. However, the Bronx rally was his first open to the general public.

“The strategy is to show the voters of the Bronx and New York that this isn’t your typical presidential election,” said Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, a potential running mate who spoke at the rally. “Donald Trump is here to represent everybody and get our country back on track.”

In his speech, Trump criticized Biden’s handling of New York City’s issues, including the poor conditions of the subway system, the presence of discarded needles, and the challenges posed by migrants. “Joe Biden is not getting the job done for the Bronx,” Trump asserted. “Our subways are squalid and unsafe, the ceiling tiles are falling down, and they look worse than a Third World country.”