Fox News Digital spoke to energetic supporters of former President Trump outside his campaign rally at Madison Square Garden and they say that the state is very much in play in next week’s election.
– Ardent supporters of former President Trump say Sunday’s campaign rally at Madison Square Garden was a bold statement that their movement is penetrating deep blue areas like New York City.
« Donald Trump is in play in every state », Pennsylvania resident John Nolan told Fox News Digital outside the famed arena ahead of the rally. « The guy pulls numbers no matter where he is. I mean, people drove from all over to get here and his supporters are here. »
« Absolutely », Westchester, New York, native Alexa Brink told Fox Digital when asked if other New Yorkers she knows will vote for Trump. « All day long. Let’s go Trump! » She added that she wasn’t sure if Trump could win New York, but said, « We’ll try! »
While New York is home to multiple competitive U.S. House races, Republicans are not widely expected to win the state in the presidential race. It has gone Democratic each presidential election since Ronald Reagan won it for the GOP in 1984.
The mood outside the famed arena was at fever pitch as droves of supporters descended on the Big Apple’s streets and waited anxiously to see if they would gain entry to the 19,500-seat venue. Police say many were turned away, with Donald Trump Jr. claiming that nearly 200,000 people tried to gain access to the rally, which featured a handful of high-profile speakers ahead of Trump’s remarks, including former first lady Melania Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White.
Melissa Elsner and Luke Ordino traveled from New Jersey and said they weren’t surprised at the size of the huge crowds that descended on « The Worlds’ Most Famous Arena. »
« No, absolutely not, because we are the majority, even though the news often tries to tell us we are not », Elsner said, adding that the economy, illegal immigration and education are her top three issues going into this election.
« Come on, Donald Trump can pull off anything in New York », Elsner added.
