Staff Reports
It’s been far too long since a Republican could even dream of winning New York. The last time the state turned red in a presidential election was back in 1980 when the great Ronald Reagan claimed victory. Fast forward to 2020, and President Joe Biden secured the Big Apple State with nearly 61 percent of the vote. But hang on tight, because former President Donald Trump believes he has what it takes to pull off the same feat as Reagan.
During a recent visit to New York, Trump spoke with Gavin Wax, president of the New York Young Republicans group, about his ambitious plan. According to Wax, Trump expressed enthusiasm about holding an event in a predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhood. The prospect of Trump turning New York red was met with thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd. Trump boldly proclaimed, “We’re going to take New York!” and outlined his belief in the great potential for victory. He pointed to the growing number of people living on the streets and the invasion of illegal aliens as factors that could tip the scales in favor of the Republicans.
Hell yeah //Trump Mulling Reagan-Inspired Election Rally in Attempt to Turn New York Red https://t.co/Q9fCYa3L4c
— stanistheman (@stanandamparo1) December 20, 2023
Trump’s notion of taking New York stems from the ongoing migrant crisis affecting the city. The situation has become so dire that the long-standing “right to shelter” policy, which guaranteed a bed for anyone seeking one, has had to be effectively rescinded. With over 65,000 migrants now in the city’s shelter system, the resources to sustain this policy have simply run dry. As a result, numerous budget cuts have been imposed on essential services throughout the city. New York Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the anger and frustration prevailing among New Yorkers due to the crisis. However, he claimed that he lacked the authority to halt the arrival of new migrants.
Trump’s support among minority voters has significantly surged since the 2020 election. Recent data from an Emerson College poll shows a striking decline in President Biden’s edge among Hispanics, going from 14 percent to a mere 3 percent, which amounts to a drop of 11 points. Likewise, Biden’s lead among African Americans has declined by 15 points to 47 percent. In contrast, Trump’s support among black voters now stands at an impressive 22 percent, rising substantially from the 8 percent he garnered in 2020. These shifting demographics and the increasing willingness to consider alternative candidates played a crucial role in the Republicans reclaiming a congressional seat in the Bronx for the first time in half a century.
If Trump decides to hold a rally in South Bronx, it will likely occur after the 2024 Republican primary, where he is expected to dominate. The idea for the rally was inspired by Reagan’s memorable visit to the South Bronx during his 1980 campaign, which ultimately paid off with a victory in New York. Trump believes the current confluence of circumstances, including rising crime rates, economic turmoil, and a changing political landscape, make winning New York possible in 2024. These crises have prompted many lifelong Democrats to question their party allegiance and seek new solutions.
The stars may finally align for Trump, providing the perfect opportunity for the Empire State to once again turn red after Reagan’s historic triumph. With disenchanted base voters, demographic shifts, and mounting urban disorder, the odds are tantalizingly in his favor. The conditions are ripe for Trump to re-energize the Republican Party in an arena where they have languished for far too long.
