Trump holds a homecoming rally at Madison Square Garden

Just days before the November election, when presidential candidates typically storm battleground states to throw out all their supporters, former President Trump will headline a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday.

The event takes place at the famous Manhattan arena, home to the 1971 “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, visits by two popes, numerous national political conventions and countless major musical and sporting events. It was also the place where Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy.

It’s the kind of place that would appeal to Trump, a New York native who long before running for office had a reputation as a consummate Big Apple billionaire, businessman and sought-after bachelor.

The Garden rally marks the kickoff to his unlikely 2015 presidential campaign. After riding down the golden escalator at Trump Tower, the site of the family penthouse that was their primary residence until 2019, Trump announced his White House bid. Trump’s campaign plans to make the speech as a signature event in the final days of the campaign.

Describing the rally as “historic,” Trump’s campaign said it would be attended by celebrities, elected officials and the former president’s friends and family.

“This epic event, which will take place in the heart of President Trump’s hometown, will be a showcase for the historic political movement that President Trump has built in the final days of the campaign,” his campaign said in a statement announcing the agenda for the rally, where Trump is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. (in the Pacific region).

Introductory speakers include Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate; sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.; daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who is co-chair of the Republican National Committee; House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana; SpaceX and for defamation.

Both Trump and his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, have recently been in states that will almost certainly have no impact on the outcome of the 2024 presidential race due to their partisan tilt.

On Friday, Harris was there supported by music icon Beyoncé in the singer’s hometown, Houston. Texas last voted for a Democrat for president in 1976, and Trump clearly leads in all presidential polls in the state. But as the state’s demographics and politics evolve, incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz appears to be facing a tougher challenge than expected from Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, a former professional football player.

“We cannot allow Texas to fall into sadness,” Cruz said in a fundraising email sent Saturday. “Texas is in danger.”

Harris has an even larger lead over Trump in polls from her home state of California, while also being a former president gathered fans in the Coachella Valley earlier this month.

Although both California and New York are overwhelmingly Democratic, due to their size they are home to millions of Republican voters.

According to reports, the former president wants to increase his share of the popular vote. Additionally, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, there are more than a dozen competitive congressional races in California and New York that are likely to determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Struggling Republican incumbent Ken Calvert, the longest-serving GOP member of California’s congressional delegation, won Trump’s endorsement the same day the crown Republican spoke at the former president’s Coachella Valley rally. Republican officials and congressional candidates in New York are expected to speak at Trump’s rally on Sunday.

On Sunday, Harris was in Philadelphia, the largest city in the critical state of Pennsylvania. As part of the Democrats’ “Souls to the Polls” initiative, Harris spoke at a traditionally black church in West Philadelphia.

“We were born for this time,” Harris told parishioners at the Church of Christian Compassion as they stood up. “At this point we are faced with a real question: what kind of country do we want to live in? A country of chaos, fear and hatred or a country of freedom, justice and compassion?

She later spoke to local leaders and Black men — a voting bloc where some Democrats worry Harris is performing poorly — at a nearby Philly Cuts barbershop.

He is also expected to greet voters at a Puerto Rican restaurant in North Philadelphia and talk to families at basketball courts on the city’s Northwest Side, a Harris campaign official said.

In the coming days, the vice president will campaign in Michigan, Washington, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona. Harris is expected to deliver her closing argument on Tuesday evening – a week before Election Day – at the Ellipse near the White House, the site where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress prepared to certify the 2020 election. before his supporters stormed the US Capitol.

After Trump arrives in Manhattan, he is expected to hold rallies in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and Virginia.