The Trump Show Hits NYC

Our Reporters Captured the Scene at MSG

Jack Tergensen and Annarose Grizzle

November 6, 2024

As Trump took the stage nearly two hours behind schedule, he was introduced by his wife Melania. Her appearance was unexpected, as she has been largely absent on the campaign trail. Melania, who recently publicly disagreed with her husband on abortion policy, greeted him at the podium with kisses, to a live performance of Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” as the words words “Trump Will Fix It” hovered above their heads.

On October 27th, 2024, we attended Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in Midtown, Manhattan to report on the event. This historic campaign gathering was not only the first time a Republican presidential candidate campaigned in New York City since Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, but it was also one of Trump’s largest campaign events of this election cycle.

Choosing to end his campaign in an indisputably blue city, and state, was a controversial and unprecedented decision. The speakers list included vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, among many others.

Prior to the event, many journalists and democratic politicians, such as Hillary Clinton, drew connections between Trump’s rally and the infamous 1939 Nazi Rally in Madison Square Garden. The comparison may have been overstated, but several speakers did make offensive mysogynistic and racist comments on stage.

While invited entertainers put on a show, like wrestler Hulk Hogan flexing for the crowd and brandishing an American flag, the headline moment from the six-hour event focused on warm-up act comedian Tony Hinchcliffe who drew bipartisan backlash joking about Puerto Rico being a “floating island of trash”.

We have compiled our experience in a photo essay that captures the atmosphere.

About the Contributors

Annarose Grizzle, Staff Writer

Annarose Grizzle (she/her) is a Staff Writer. Annarose has a passion for politics, social justice, and getting the news to the people. She is an avid reader and enjoys the depth of interests one can explore through journalism. Research and connection with people through interviews is what made Annarose fall in love with journalism. The Survey is full of talented writers and editors who are incredible teachers. She is looking forward to working with the Hard News team this year. Annarose reads The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. In the future, Annarose wants to pursue research, whether in a STEM or English field. In her free time, Annarose loves to read, cook, play guitar, watch movies, and spend time with friends. Annarose's favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird.

Jack Tergesen, Staff Writer

Jack Tergesen (he/him) is a Staff Writer. Jack decided to join The Survey to strengthen his journalism skills, build connections, interact with students and staff to learn different POVs of situations, and to get more involved with the world of news because he wants to become a meteorologist when older. Jack mainly reads The New York Times, The New York Post, and CNN. In the future, Jack strives to become a meteorologist either on a local network or on The Weather Channel. Ever since elementary school, Jack has been intrigued by the weather and feels strongly about the climate crisis. During Jack's free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing volleyball, going rock-climbing, playing video games, and watching YouTube. One of Jack's favorite series is "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" because it gives him nostalgia from elementary school and never fails to make him laugh and smile.