Former President Donald Trump’s high-stakes rally at Madison Square Garden has left many wondering whether it marked the beginning of a successful closing argument or the MAGA movement’s electoral swan song. The event, which drew a massive crowd, was characteristic of Trump’s unorthodox approach to politics – a hallmark of his nearly decade-long career.
Trump’s rally featured an all-star lineup of speakers, each of whom delivered a scathing critique of the Republican Party’s past, denouncing the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, and other conservative staples. The crowd largely approved, with one notable exception: Rudy Giuliani, a holdover from the pre-MAGA era who still enjoys the support of Trump’s base. Giuliani’s appearance was met with a standing ovation, a testament to the party’s shifting values.
In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign events have taken on a more measured tone, with Harris often appearing alongside Liz Cheney, the daughter of Dick Cheney, and enjoying the endorsement of both Cheneys. Harris’s approach is a far cry from Trump’s free-wheeling style, which has come to define the former president’s public persona.
However, it was a single, ill-fated joke about Puerto Rico that stole the headlines from Trump’s rally. The commonwealth island, which does not get a vote in the presidential election, was the target of a disparaging remark that Trump’s campaign later distanced itself from. The move was seen as an attempt to mitigate the damage, but it only served to invite further scrutiny of Trump’s remarks.
Trump’s live events have long been a hallmark of his campaign strategy, prioritizing entertainment and excitement in the arena over optics at home. This approach has yielded mixed results, with some of his most memorable moments – including his infamous “I like to eat dogs” quip – dominating the headlines and overshadowing his policy proposals.
Despite the controversy, Trump remains convinced that there is no such thing as bad publicity, a philosophy he honed during his days as a New York real estate mogul and parlayed into a successful television career. By dominating the free media cycle, Trump has managed to outlast adverse headlines and even calamitous events, thanks to the rapid pace of the news cycle.
Trump’s supporters, meanwhile, seem to relish his unfiltered talk, often viewing his off-script remarks as a refreshing change from the scripted, focus-grouped messages of his opponents. In this regard, Trump has demonstrated an ability to connect with his audience on a more human level, even if it means courting controversy.
In contrast, Harris’s approach is marked by discipline and caution, with the vice president carefully scripting her message and avoiding unscripted moments that might create fissures in her coalition. While this approach has served her well in the past, it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to propel her to the White House in a closely contested election.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, Trump and Harris are locked in a battle for the spotlight, with both candidates seeking to shape the narrative and define the terms of the debate. For Trump, the goal is to make the election a referendum on the Biden-Harris record, while Harris hopes to keep the focus on Trump’s controversies and missteps. The outcome is far from certain, with Trump’s ability to adapt and evolve his message potentially proving to be a decisive factor in the outcome.
