'New York Is A Swing State': Vivek Ramaswamy's Last Pitch For Trump At MSG Rally

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy commanded attention at a rally for Donald Trump held at Madison Square Garden. He asserted that the energy in the venue was anything but second place. "This does not feel like second-place energy in here tonight," Ramaswamy declared, as he sought to invigorate supporters.

“I don’t follow the polls. I don’t follow the pundits. I follow the energy. And this doesn’t feel like second place energy.”

The crowd is going nuts for Vivek Ramaswamy

“Welcome to 2024 - New York is a swing state” pic.twitter.com/drKbGK8SUI

— Arynne Wexler (@ArynneWexler) October 27, 2024

Ramaswamy also emphasized Trump as the unifying figure for the nation. "Donald Trump is actually the president who will unite this country," he stated. The "America First" policy, he emphasized, "includes all Americans, regardless of their race, their gender, or their sexual orientation." Ramaswamy condemned transgender surgery for children in a contentious part of his speech. He proclaimed, "Our message to gay Americans tonight is this: you're free to marry who you want... But that doesn't mean that boys get to compete with girls in girls' sports or that you do genital mutilation and chemical castration on our children." Contentious Remarks at the RallySeveral speakers used inflammatory language during the gathering. Trump's supporters made disparaging statements against Puerto Ricans and Vice President Kamala Harris in their early remarks. According to businessman Grant Cardone, Harris and her "pimp handlers" threatened to "destroy our country." By comparing Puerto Rico to a "floating island of garbage" in the Atlantic, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe fueled the hate. These remarks took a particularly hostile tone while echoing themes that have been present at Trump rallies. David Rem, Trump's boyhood buddy, called Harris "the anti-Christ." Other speakers, who were frequently cruder than other political leaders, made offensive statements, such as derogatory remarks about Hillary Clinton and crude remarks about immigration. Harris's CounterpointVice President Harris spoke to voters in northern Philadelphia as the event took place in New York. While at Freddy & Tony's Restaurant, she made a commitment to resolving Puerto Rico's electrical grid problems and revealed plans to form a "Puerto Rican Opportunity Economy Task Force." The glaring disparities in the political factions' message were highlighted by this comparison. Campaign spokespersons for Harris emphasized the difference between the aggressive comments at Madison Square Garden and Harris's rally that was focused on the neighborhood. This split-screen scene was used to highlight the contrasting political environments that existed before the election. Implications for Trump's CampaignTrump and his supporters' comments during the event ran the risk of hurting the campaign's efforts to improve his standing with moderate voters. Even while many people support Trump's goals, his use of divisive language and race-baiting rhetoric turns them off. In key states like New York, this tension may have a big impact on voter choices and turnout as the election draws near.