His Way

By Joseph Catena

New York has not voted for a Republican president since 1984, when Ronald Reagan crushed Walter Mondale in a 49-state landslide. Reagan easily won the Empire State by eight points over the former vice president. Since then, the GOP has assumed the role of Sisyphus, with the boulder getting heavier each cycle.

Instead of backing away from Blue York, President Donald J. Trump did just the opposite a mere nine days before the election. For one night, the orange invasion electrified the city he once owned. And he did it in Madison Square Garden, the world’s most famous arena – the “Mecca.”

Some 20,000 MAGA enthusiasts cheered with the same passion as those who witnessed Joe Frazier outfight Muhammad Ali, when the two undefeated superstars clashed in a heavyweight championship fight in 1971. They cheered with the same heartfelt love as New York Rangers fans did in 1994, when they ended a 54-year drought and won the Stanley Cup. Outside of the arena, tens of thousands of fans lined the streets and jammed into bars to watch The Donald anywhere there was a big screen. Trump’s amazing comeback even surpasses “Old Blue Eyes,” Frank Sinatra, who electrified MSG when he returned in 1974. Outside, there were no riots, nor were there mobs of protesters. On the night of October 27, 2024, the Big Apple was filled with…joy.

Trump won’t win New York. Like Mondale, he may lose by eight points (which would be a moral victory). So, with little to no hope in this Democratic stronghold, why wasn’t he barnstorming Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and the Blue Wall? The answer is simple; he was making a statement. He was the elephant stampeding in the donkey’s playground. It was a power move by a man who is exuding confidence and control.

The rally at the Garden was a coming together with the most diverse group of supporters at a Republican event, maybe ever. There were Israeli flags flying (some Nazi Trump is), Black and White people relishing the moment together, Muslims, Christians, men, women and children all under one roof cheering wildly for the one man whom they believe will rescue this country on November 5. They were treated to a multi-course exhibition in politics at its finest. Like great boxing cards of the past, The Trump Show had many great lead ups to the main event. Dr. Phil, Dana White, newly minted Republican Tulsi Gabbard, Bobby Kennedy Jr., Hulk Hogan and Melania Trump were among the preliminaries who delighted the faithful. Even Ali-Frazier I didn’t have an undercard of this magnitude.

Trump’s message was vintage. He preached optimism. He called for action to get the economy back on an upswing. He preached about America leading the world and being the peacemaker, and not dumping billions of dollars into endless wars. Trump called for common sense measures to make America great again. It was nothing we haven’t heard before. But Trump preaching his gospel from Manhattan Island made it a little sweeter.

Voices on the Left did everything to denigrate the event. They did their best to parallel it to the Nazi gathering in 1939. They seemed appalled and offended that he dared to spend a night in Manhattan. How dare he be allowed to do this! One almost has to wonder if Trump came to New York just to tweak his many haters who live there or have their television shows broadcast there. Imagine living in a free country and wanting to campaign wherever you want. Such gall!

What no one can deny is for one balmy autumn night, the man whose complexion resembles both falling leaves and pumpkins ruled New York City. Donald Trump dared to go where no one thought he would or should. He ignored the naysayers. Like Frank Sinatra before him, he did it his way.