Donald J. Trump is set to hold a campaign rally in Crotona Park in the Bronx, New York, as he aims to take a more favorable spotlight after his involvement in a criminal trial in Manhattan. The event has sparked backlash from many Bronx residents, with some expressing their wishes for him to disappear. Despite being held in a heavily Democratic area, Trump’s campaign sees this rally as an opportunity to engage with constituents who are not traditionally Republican.
President Biden won the Bronx by a large margin in 2020, and Trump lost by over 300,000 votes in 2016. Despite this, recent polls suggest that Trump has been making strides among Black and Latino voters, with a Republican councilwoman elected in the Bronx for the first time in over 40 years. However, Representative Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, argues that Trump owes the borough an apology for his handling of the pandemic, which had devastating effects on the community.
A protest is scheduled during the rally by Amanda Septimo, an assemblywoman from the Bronx, and Kirsten John Foy, president of the activism group Arc of Justice. They aim to counter the narrative that Trump will perform significantly better in areas like the Bronx. Critics of Trump’s rally express concerns about the potential impact of his candidacy on democracy, while supporters like Arsenio Colon applaud his stance on foreign policy with China and believe the country needs a strong president.
As arrangements were made for the rally in Crotona Park, a campaign representative asked a New York Times reporter to leave and threatened to call the police, asserting their right to eject uninvited guests from the public park. Despite the controversy, there was some support for Trump among park visitors, such as Erica Perez, who appreciated his references to the Bible. However, overall sentiment in the park seemed to be negative toward Trump’s visit, with many expressing doubts about his ability to garner support from the local community during the rally.
Overall, Trump’s decision to hold a campaign rally in the Bronx has sparked mixed reactions from residents and political figures in the area. While some criticize his past actions and express hesitancy about his candidacy, others see this as an opportunity to engage with different voter demographics and potentially expand his support base. As Trump navigates the aftermath of his criminal trial and works to position himself as a viable candidate, the Bronx rally will serve as a key moment in his political journey.
