In an unexpected turn of events, former President Donald Trump's rally in the South Bronx on Thursday drew a crowd far larger than the anticipated 3,500 attendees.
Despite heavy rain, people began to queue hours in advance, demonstrating their enthusiasm for the event.
One Bronx resident encapsulated the sentiment of the crowd, expressing his appreciation for Trump's visit to the neighborhood. "From what I know this is the first time a President has actually came to the hood, he said. He further stated that while previous Presidents had visited the Bronx, none had ventured into the "hood hood" as Trump had, a gesture he respected. This sentiment suggests that Trump's visit was seen as an outreach to the community, which was met with gratitude.
However, not everyone shared this positive outlook. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) expressed her hope that the rally would be disrupted by rain, tweeting "God is Good" in anticipation of this possibility. This attitude did not sit well with some Bronx residents, who had a message for the congresswoman.
"Everybody's here for TRUMP!" said one attendee. "I am a Democrat and I belong here." "She has done NOTHING for the Bronx." This sentiment was echoed by another lifelong Democrat, a 60-year-old man who stated that Trump "just has the right answers."
Among the notable attendees was Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., a former state senator and NY City Council member for the 18th District. Diaz, who is also a minister and the President of the NY Hispanic Clergy Association, responded to Ocasio-Cortez's prediction about the rain, labeling her a "false prophet."
"Mr. President I want to join you in having the Bronx GREAT AGAIN! Please accept this Democrat this Black Puerto Rican ... please accept my endorsement for YOU as the PRESIDENT!" Diaz said. He further suggested that the beautiful weather indicated that even God wanted Trump in the Bronx.
The crowd responded enthusiastically to Diaz's words, breaking into a chant of "USA! USA!." Trump himself appeared moved by the endorsement.
Login