Donald Trump ramped up his campaign with a massive rally in Manhattan. He was joined by Elon Musk and other allies, all aiming to sway voters on who can tackle America’s problems.
The event at Madison Square Garden lasted nearly six hours. Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris on various issues, including the border and crime. He painted a picture of a nation in crisis.
"We must defeat Kamala Harris and stop the radical left agenda with a landslide that is too big to rig," Trump declared.
About two dozen speakers took the stage, including celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Musk, a prominent supporter, predicted he could uncover $2 trillion in cuts if Trump won.
"Your money is being wasted," Musk said, emphasizing the need to reduce government burden. He was one of the last speakers, alongside Trump and Melania, who made a rare appearance at the rally.
The event aimed to draw media attention and energize Trump's base just a week before Election Day. Thousands lined up for hours to get into the packed arena, which holds 20,000.
New York isn’t a battleground state, but it has competitive House races. Trump sought to reach undecided voters in the iconic venue, amplifying his message beyond his usual supporters.
Despite his New York roots, many in the city turned against him during his presidency. Earlier this year, he was found guilty of multiple felony charges related to business practices.
Trump plans to ask Musk to lead a new initiative focused on cutting government spending. Dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, the name is a nod to a cryptocurrency Musk supports.
Critics warn this could pose a conflict of interest, given Musk's companies, like Tesla and SpaceX, benefit from federal contracts and spending.
During the rally, Cantor Fitzgerald’s Howard Lutnick asked Musk how much he could “rip out of” the budget under Biden and Harris. Musk confidently replied, “Well, I think we can do at least $2 trillion, yeah.”
That $2 trillion goal amounts to nearly a third of the current federal spending. The Treasury Department reported a $6.75 trillion expenditure for the fiscal year 2024.
Musk has contributed over $132 million to Trump and other Republican candidates in 2024. His generous donations have placed him among the top political contributors of the election cycle.