President Trump held a rally in one of, if not, THE most Democrat geographies in America – the South Bronx in New York City. By most accounts – excluding the usual Democrat leaders and left-wing news outlets – it was a very successful political event.
The naysayer spin saw the crowd as rather small for a Trump rally – and that he only held it because he was figuratively shackled to New York City by the so-called Hush Money Case. They claimed that lots of folks showed up out of curiosity – not loyalty. As is their habit, the left-wing media used snippets out of his speech to spin against Trump – and it is his unfortunate habit of giving them grist for that mill.
Playing down the crowd size is a non-starter for Trump’s critics. Considering the venue it was a huge turnout – something in the neighborhood of 10,000. Yes, the Team Trump claimed 30,000 and folks like New York Times scribe Eugene Robinson – from his usual spot on the “Morning Joe” panel – said it was well below 7,000. Even Robinson’s bs number is a major turnout for any politician — even in the friendliest of locations.
As far as the claim that Trump only came to the Bronx because he was restricted is nonsense. The trial is on hold for the Memorial Day holiday. Trump can – and has – held rallies in other parts of the country. Trump was in the Bronx because he wanted to be there to make a point – and well he did.
Trump was able to send two messages – his general stand on critical issues AND his ability to reach and energize a diverse group of people – including Blacks and Hispanics. Seeing Blacks and Hispanics giving strong testimony to Trump – and harsh criticism to Biden – was political gold.
Despite MSNBC’s censorship of Trump, his message reached millions of people since both FOX and CNN aired the speech. MSNBC maintained its anti-Trump trial analysis during the rally, and then cherry-picked a few statements they could spin into their mendacious propaganda narrative afterward.
As the news of the Bronx rally spreads across the nation – with all those on-the-scene interviews of Black and Hispanics expressing strong support for Trump — it will inevitably impact Black and Hispanic voters in other regions who may be undecided at this time. It provides encouragement and even license to support Trump – essentially saying “If those brothers and sisters in the Bronx can openly and eagerly support Trump, then so can I.”
The Bronx rally may even have an impact on the jury in the Hush Money trial. The jury was not sequestered in this trial – which I personally believe was a prejudicial decision by Judge Juan Merchan. It would leave the jurors exposed to what had been perceived as a hostile media and social climate when not in court. There is no way the jury can avoid being impacted by media reports and family discussions. Now, they will see thousands of their friends and neighbors supporting Trump. He will not be seen exclusively as the demon portrayed by the local political establishment, the left-wing media and the prosecution.
Such benefits for Trump are certainly incremental. The rally will not create a massive shift in voter or juror opinion, but even a little shift can mean a lot when the sides are so evenly divided. It keeps the momentum going in terms of Blacks and Hispanics crossing over to Trump.
Despite the caterwauling from Democrats and the anti-Trump media, the Bronx Rally was part courage and part genius. It benefits Trump without any downside. The only debatable issue is how much was the benefit.
So, there ‘tis.