CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes expressed surprise at the large turnout at a pro-Trump rally in the Bronx, one of the most Democratic counties in the country. Holmes noted that many attendees were local residents, not outsiders, and that some had previously voted for Joe Biden but were now seeking alternatives due to economic concerns.
CNN reporter Kristen Holmes couldn't believe her eyes. She had expected a modest crowd at the pro-Trump rally in the Bronx, but what she found was a massive outpouring of support for the former president in one of the bluest counties in the country.
"Certainly a bigger crowd than I think Democrats would like to see, particularly given this is one of the bluest counties in the entire country," Holmes told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
Holmes said she was particularly struck by the number of local residents who attended the rally.
"One of the things that I found was that there were a lot of people here that were actually from the Bronx," she said.
Holmes spoke to some voters outside the rally who had mixed feelings about Trump. Some said they didn't believe he belonged in the Bronx, while others expressed dissatisfaction with President Biden's performance, particularly on the economy.
Trump drew an estimated 25,000 supporters to the rally, far more than the initial 3,500 expected. The crowd included people from various backgrounds, including Black, Hispanic, White, Asian, and Muslim supporters. Many had traveled from as far as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut, but a significant number were from the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Queens.
Trump's strong showing in the Bronx is a sign of his growing popularity among Black and Hispanic voters. He won less than 10% of the vote in the Bronx in 2016 and 16% in 2020, but current polls suggest he is making significant gains.
New York has not voted for a Republican candidate in a presidential election since 1984, but Trump's appeal to minority voters could potentially change that trend.
The rally was held in Crotona Park, a racially diverse, heavily Democratic neighborhood. Trump's critics, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, had ridiculed the decision to hold the rally in the area.
However, Trump's supporters turned out in force, undeterred by the criticism or the threat of bad weather.
During his speech, Trump praised the history of New York but lamented that it was "now a city in decline," referencing the rise of homelessness in the city. He also vowed to "save" New York City if elected president again.
The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
The large turnout at the pro-Trump rally in the Bronx is a testament to the enduring popularity of the former president and his ability to connect with voters who are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. It also suggests that New York could be a battleground state in the 2024 presidential election.
