Recall that New York has not elected a Republican to the presidency in forty years. Former President Trump stated on Thursday that there is a “very good chance” he will win the state come November.
After a rally in the South Bronx, Trump spoke with Lawrence Jones, co-host of “Fox & Friends,” expressing confidence that the traditionally blue state could go his way in the elections.
Jones questioned Trump about his choice to have a rally in the center of New York City, a place where President Biden thoroughly defeated him in 2020.
“Well, because I’ve done very well with the vote. I love the people. They’re incredible, they’re energetic, they’re entrepreneurial, and they’re gonna save New York, and we’re gonna win New York. And if we win New York, the election’s over,” Trump retorted.
Jones put pressure on the former president, questioning him about his level of confidence in winning the Empire State.
“I think we have a chance to win in New York. It hasn’t been done in, you know, many, many decades as a Republican,” Trump stated. “I think we have a very good chance.”
With over 60% of the vote in 2020, Biden won New York.
Read Also: Haley’s Support for Trump Earns Presidential Approval: “Welcome to Our Team”
In a park situated in a highly diverse district of the city, Trump staged his rally. Black voter Jones informed Trump that there were more people at the rally who “look like me than you,” and she later claimed that Black and Hispanic voters are beginning to support Trump more and more.
“I did things in office that nobody else has done, criminal justice reform. I did criminal justice reform at a level that nobody thought was possible to get. And I did that largely for the Black and Hispanic community, they’re the ones that wanted it,” Trump retorted.
The former president has not only traveled to typically blue states like New Jersey and Minnesota, but also to usually blue states like New York.
According to some strategists, Trump’s Bronx rally was more about showcasing his strength by drawing large audiences at an unexpected place than it was about actually flipping New York in November.
Additionally, the location was in close proximity to Trump’s ongoing hush money trial court proceedings in Manhattan.
Trump has a “legal version of an ankle bracelet,” according to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who represents a portion of the Bronx, since it is difficult for him to leave the five boroughs while the trial is ongoing. According to her, the rally’s main goal is to raise money to cover his enormous legal bills.
