Hulk Hogan, Dr. Phil, Elon Musk Speak at Donald Trump’s Insult-Filled Rally at Madison Square Garden
Hulk Hogan, Phil McGraw, UFC CEO Dana White and Tesla/SpaceX/X chief Elon Musk spoke in support of Donald Trump at a rally hosted by the Republican presidential candidate Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden that is being criticized for its racist comments and insults.
Hogan, returning to the venue where he performed years ago as a professional wrestler, seemed to reprise his character, emerging wearing a giant red, orange and yellow boa and violently waving a large American flag as he posed and danced. He spat on the stage during his speech, flexed his muscles repeatedly and referred to those in the crowd as “Trumpomaniacs” during the event.
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Declared Hogan in his characteristic raspy growl: “I don’t see no stinkin’ Nazis in here. I don’t see no stinkin’ domestic terrorists in here. The only thing I see here are a bunch of hard-working men and women that are real Americans, brother.”
He also blamed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris for inflation and said, “She acts like she’s the victim. And then all of a sudden, she flips, she flops, she spins and turns it around, and she acts like she’s going to be the damn hero, but we all know Trump is the only man that can fix this country today.”
McGraw also took the stage, arguing that folks who call Trump a bully are wrong because there’s no “imbalance of power” between him and his opponents.
“When there’s not, it’s just called a debate, and he’s just better at it than anyone else,” he said. “It’s called debating, it’s called arguing, even name-calling, but it’s not bullying unless there’s an imbalance of power. Whoever he talks to, they’ve got a microphone, they’ve got on their big-boy pants, they’ve got a stage. He’s just better at it.”
McGraw added that when Trump’s opponents call him “Hitler” or a fascist, that may be “ugly” but it also isn’t bullying.
“The last thing he needs is some celebrity endorsement,” McGraw added. “What the hell do I know? I know I’m no celebrity to begin with, and celebrities don’t know anything about policies or politics,” he added, to applause. “So the only difference between me and them is I’m willing to admit it. So why am I here? I’m here to talk to and stand up for the people who have declared their support for Donald J. Trump, or they get found out, or they want to do it but they’re too intimidated. They get canceled, intimidated, marginalized, excluded, or even fired or boycotted.”
White took the stage to note he’s been friends with Trump for decades. He said anyone who votes for Harris is supporting the “status quo” and also addressed inflation and his support for cracking down on illegal immigration.
Musk came onstage wearing all black attire, including a black “Make America Great Again” hat. “I’m not just MAGA; I’m Dark Gothic MAGA,” Musk said, referring to his outfit. Musk, who has spent tens of millions of dollars to boost his campaign, went on to add that he could cut $2 trillion from the current U.S. budget.
Melania Trump, the former first lady, was a surprise guest at Sunday’s rally, introducing her husband, who took the stage two hours later. His remarks included a nod to the assassination attempts against him.
“If you become president of the United States, you got a hell of a shot at dying,” he said. “I never knew that when I ran. I never thought about it, but here we are, and I’m OK with it. And I would rather be here than anyplace in the world. It’s called a very dangerous profession. But if we win, our enemies won’t be laughing anymore.”
The lineup also included vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Tucker Carlson, former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido.
At the event, several speakers crudely insulted Harris, who is vying to become the first woman and Black woman to win the presidency.
Stand-up comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made lewd and racist comments about Latinos, Jews and Black people, all key constituencies in the election just nine days away.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” said Hinchcliffe, whose joke was immediately criticized by Harris’ campaign as it competes with Trump to win over Puerto Rican communities in Pennsylvania and other swing states.
The closing message that Trump delivered Sunday is that Harris “broke” the country and that Trump “will fix it.” Rallygoers hours beforehand waved signs with the words “Trump will fix it.”
“Hey guys, they’re now scrambling and trying to call us Nazis and fascists,” said Alina Habba, one of Trump’s attorneys, who draped a sparkly “MAGA” jacket over the lectern as she spoke. “And you know what they’re claiming, guys? It’s very scary. They’re claiming we’re going to go after them and try and put them in jail. Well, ain’t that rich?”
Trump has denounced the four criminal indictments brought against him as politically motivated. He has ramped up his denunciations in recent weeks of “enemies from within,” naming domestic political rivals, and suggested he would use the military to go after them. Harris, in turn, has called Trump a “fascist.”
The arena, which some news outlets reported was sold out, was full hours before Trump was scheduled to speak. Outside the arena, the sidewalks were overflowing with Trump supporters in red “Make America Great Again” hats. There was a heavy security presence. Streets were blocked off and access to Penn Station was restricted.
Democratic organization Battleground New York released a statement Sunday night about the rally, calling the speeches “a torrent of unhinged crazy, racism and xenophobia.”
“Whether it was targeting Puerto Rico with obscene hate, continuing to claim the 2020 election was stolen, or trying to lay the groundwork to say the same in 2024, this rally was an obscene display of unvarnished bigotry for millions to see,” the group said. “It’s time to turn the page on this era of politics that’s seen abortion bans, kooky conspiracy theories mainstreamed, and an endless stream of nonsense that does nothing to solve problems for working people.”
The rally is one of a series of detours Trump has made from battleground states, including a recent rally in Coachella, California — best known for the famous music festival named after the town — and one in May on the Jersey Shore. This summer he campaigned in the South Bronx.
To reach them, Trump has spent hours appearing on popular podcasts. And his campaign has worked to create viral moments like his visit last weekend to a McDonald’s restaurant, where he made fries and served supporters through the drive-thru window. Video of the stop posted by his campaign has been viewed more than 40 million times on TikTok alone.
Harris has also traveled to non-battleground states for major events intended to drive a national message. She appeared in Houston on Friday with music superstar Beyoncé to speak about reproductive rights, and will deliver her own closing argument Tuesday from the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., where Trump spoke ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
Trump often compares himself to the country’s greatest entertainers. The former reality TV star has long talked about wanting to hold a rally at the venue in interviews and private conversations.
Beyond the national spotlight and the appeal of appearing on one of the world’s most famous stages, Republicans in the state say the rally will also help down-ballot candidates. New York is home to a handful of competitive congressional races that could determine which party controls the House next year.
Trump also used the stop as a major fundraising opportunity as he continues to seriously lag Harris in the money race.
New York has not voted for a Republican for president in 40 years. But that hasn’t stopped Trump from continuing to insist he believes he can win.
Trump routinely uses his hometown as a foil before audiences in other states, painting a dark vision of the city that bears little resemblance to reality. He’s cast it as crime-ridden and overrun by violent, immigrant gangs who have taken over Fifth and Madison avenues and occupied Times Square.
Trump has a complicated history with the place where he built his business empire and that made him a tabloid and reality TV star. Its residents indicted him last year on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He was found guilty in that case, and also found liable in civil court for business fraud and sexual abuse.
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