A red blaze of Trump fans lit up the Nassau Coliseum as the former president took center stage at a raucous rally in his bid to take back the White House. He entered the arena a conquering hero to his signature song,
“God Bless the U.S.A.,” as nearly 20,000 packed to the rafters rose to their feet to cheer him on.
Wearing a blue suit and trademark long red tie, Trump wasted no time playing to the crowd, promising to win the state as a Republican for the first time since Ronald Reagan in 1984. “It hasn’t been done in a long time, but we are going to win New York,” Trump boasted. “If we do it, the election nationwide is over; we take over the White House and we fix up our country,” his words came out as the crowd erupted in a “U.S.A. U.S.A. U.S.A,” chant.
The 45th president lobbed a steady stream of bombs at the Biden-Harris administration and vowed to fix a laundry list of problems he said they caused, including illegal immigration, soaring inflation, crime, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. He zeroed in on pocketbook issues, promising to cut interest rates, restore the SALT state and local tax deduction, and end the tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security. His “Drill, Baby, Drill” mantra highlighting his plan to make America dominant in the energy sector and his threat to deport the illegal aliens brought in under Biden whipped the crowd up into a near frenzies.
Massive lines formed early around the Uniondale venue, with only about half of the estimated 50,000 VIPs, media, and supporters who showed up making it inside. The rest enjoyed a seasonably warm evening watching the show outside on giant screens. A souvenir concourse with dozens of vendors offered everything Trump to a diverse crowd, many adorned by the red, white, and blue of their country. United by a man who grew up in Queens, the next county over, they basked in a carnival-like atmosphere of patriotism and a shared vision for the country. Nearby, a few dozen Trump protesters corralled in a “Free Speech Zone" and vented their spleen against the surging candidate as thousands of his supporters streamed peacefully by.
Security was tight with various branches of law enforcement, along with the Secret Service, making sure there wasn’t a repeat of the assassination attempts on Trump in Pennsylvania and Florida. Helicopters flew overhead as well-armed officers, some with canine patrols, kept an eye on things. Those finally making it to the head of the line had to pass through magnetometers and have their belongings checked before entry.
Fortunately, ambulances and EMTs stationed around the coliseum had a quiet night.
The program started about two hours before Trump took the stage and featured former Congressman Lee Zeldin, a crowd favorite who came close to winning the race for governor, as well as former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Long Island’s GOP leaders. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman got some time at the mic, as did his Suffolk counterpart, Ed Romaine. County Comptroller John Kennedy and his wife, Leslie, a Suffolk legislator, took in the action with other local officials from a VIP section just offstage. All agreed that the event was a historic moment in Long Island history and will leave them with vivid memories, particularly if Trump is able to beat Vice President Kamala Harris and join Grover Cleveland as the only president to serve nonconsecutive terms in the Oval Office.
Long Island made a mark on the nation’s political history in 2022 when it delivered four Republicans to the House, allowing the GOP to wrest the speaker’s gavel from Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Singled out from the podium by Trump for being part of that "Red Wave" were reps Anthony D’Esposito, Andrew Garbarino, and Nick LaLota. He also recognized Michael LiPetri, who’s vying for the seat won by Democrat Tom Suozzi after Republican George Santos was expelled by his colleagues.
Expanding the GOP’s already razor-thin edge in the House is critical to Trump if he wants to fulfill his campaign promises or if he wants to be seated as president since the opposing party has threatened to block him from taking office, even if he wins in November. A big part of the GOP plan to hold on to the House is Alison Esposito, Zeldin’s running mate against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is looking to put the 18th District, just north of the city, in the Republican column.
Also getting the nod from Trump was Mike Sapraicone, an ex-New York police detective tapped to take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is seeking her third six-year term after replacing Hillary Clinton in 2009. A boost from Trump, especially in front of a massive hometown crowd, has put more than one candidate over the top since he burst upon the political scene in 2016, promising to “Make America Great Again.” His “America First” appeal elicits electrified reactions from crowds who clamor for him to take the country in a different direction.
After an enthusiastic MAGA riff that also pledges to make America powerful, safe, wealthy, healthy, strong, free, and proud again, he exeunts with his arms raised high to Pavarotti singing “Nessun Dorma” from the final act of Puccini’s opera "Turandot" and its climactic final line, “Vincerò!”—I will win!