Trump Vows to ‘Save New York’ at Fiery Long Island Rally, Challenges Voters: ‘What Do You Have to Lose?’

Former President Donald Trump drew thousands of supporters to the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island Wednesday night, declaring that recent assassination attempts had “hardened my resolve” and predicting he would be the first Republican to win New York state in 40 years.

“These encounters with death have not broken my will,” the 78-year-old Republican presidential nominee told about 16,000 fans, just days after a gunman was found hiding in the bushes at his Florida golf course.

“They’ve only hardened my resolve to use my time on Earth to make America great again for all Americans, to put America first,” said Trump, referencing another incident in July when his ear was grazed by a bullet at a Pennsylvania rally.

Trump’s address to the roaring crowd centered on his goal of flipping New York, a state he lost by over 23 percentage points in 2020. “We are going to win New York,” he proclaimed. “We do it, and the election nationwide is over. We take over the White House and we fix up our country.”

The rally’s intensity was marked by passionate moments, including at least two women flashing Trump and one being escorted out by police for unruly dancing in the stands. “We’re gonna have the greatest win in history when we pull this one off,” Trump declared, urging New Yorkers to vote for him. “With crime at record levels, with terrorists and criminals pouring in and with inflation eating your hearts out, vote for Donald Trump! What the hell do you have to lose?”

Despite making similar claims in his 2020 campaign, Trump insists that this time will be different. “We are going to rescue our Democrat-run states. We are going to start by saving the great state of New York,” he said, adding that he would restore safety within three months by cracking down on illegal immigration and crime.

Trump also addressed his legal battles in New York, where he faces both civil and criminal charges, including a conviction for falsifying business records. “Despite all of the persecution I’ve endured from the corrupt judicial system in New York, I love the people of this state and I want to give back,” he said, vowing to lower taxes, reduce crime, and improve residents’ quality of life.

The former president praised Long Island’s Republican congressional representatives and voiced support for raising the state and local tax deduction cap, a provision introduced in his own 2017 tax reform law.

Among the rallygoers was Marlene Lowe, 48, from Harrison, NY, decked out in Trump-themed attire. “The man gets shot once, almost shot a second time, and he doesn’t miss a beat,” she said. Another supporter, Patrick Hill, 28, from Cherry Hill, NJ, praised Trump’s resilience, saying, “The man cannot be killed. Trump lives!”

Trump recounted the latest attempt on his life, attributing his survival to divine intervention. “God has now spared my life — it must have been God,” he said, describing the shooter as a “violent radical-left mobster” who got dangerously close before being spotted by Secret Service agents.

The rally also featured attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, with Trump criticising her past policy positions and warning they would resurface after the election.

HTrump touted a recent poll showing strong support from Teamsters union members and claimed their endorsement signified a shift away from traditional Democratic allegiance.

Throughout his speech, Trump slammed Harris’ handling of border issues and even commented on his wife Melania’s upcoming memoir, joking that he hadn’t read it due to his busy schedule.

He also announced plans to visit cities plagued by gang violence and migrant issues, erroneously alleging that Haitian migrants in Ohio were eating pets.

Despite polls showing a tight race against Harris, Trump remained confident, citing a survey that put him ahead by 5% nationally. “We should be 35 up, to be honest with you,” he said, blaming his smaller lead on lingering habits among voters.

As the 2024 campaign heats up, Trump’s Long Island rally underscored his determination to reclaim the presidency and, perhaps against the odds, turn New York red.