NEW YORK – Supporters camped out overnight, crowded the subways, and transformed the streets surrounded by skyscrapers into a flowing sea of red MAGA hats, with cars and trucks displaying Donald Trump flags parading through New York City.

The Republican presidential candidate was in town, and his “Make America Great Again” backers were out in full force, proving that even in the bluest of blue states, they are a significant movement.

Trump’s image lit up the jumbotrons outside Madison Square Garden, accompanied by the slogan “Dream Big Again!” His supporters were indeed dreaming of a return to the White House, energized by a rally on Sunday at this iconic venue.

“Good, bad, whatever, it’s historical and something to witness,” remarked Mike Zarro, a 28-year-old tow truck driver from Long Island, who told YSL News he arrived in Manhattan before dawn to attend the rally.

According to radio host Sid Rosenberg, Madison Square Garden has hosted many of the world’s biggest stars, athletes, and musicians over the years. He energized the audience by calling the venue “a building made of champions and all-time greats,” before declaring Trump to be “the greatest champion of all.”

Hosting a rally in deeply Democratic New York City just nine days ahead of the Nov. 5 election left some political analysts puzzled, questioning why Trump would divert attention from the crucial swing states. However, wrapping Trump in the iconic arena’s allure aimed to create a memorable moment that would resonate nationwide in a tightly contested presidential race.

The event featured a lineup of MAGA celebrities, including Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, and Rudy Giuliani, acting as a megaphone to motivate Trump supporters to vote. Many attendees hailed it as the ultimate Trump rally, marked by an array of entertainment, from well-produced videos to stand-up comedy and live performances by artists.

“We gather here today in midtown Manhattan,” Giuliani, former mayor of New York and Trump’s attorney, declared. “This is the most iconic venue in the United States where Republicans aren’t expected to come, which is exactly why Donald Trump came here. There’s no place in America where the president shouldn’t be welcomed!”

Trump loyalists arrived in the city well in advance.

Bill Robinson, a 65-year-old retiree from North Carolina, shared that he has attended 53 Trump rallies since 2015. He described the Madison Square Garden rally as “the granddaddy of them all,” having camped out since Saturday afternoon and becoming the first in line, which would eventually stretch along an entire city block by morning.

“Fifty percent of the rally is about Trump, but the other half is connecting with fellow supporters,” Robinson stated.

Nearby, Richard Everit, a 59-year-old truck driver from Pennsylvania, waved a Trump flag and exchanged fist bumps with fellow attendees voicing their support for the former president.

Everit mentioned he had never voted until he cast his first ballot for Trump in 2020, which opened his eyes to politics. He now proudly wears Trump apparel everywhere he goes.

Brad James, who is 25 and immigrated from Jamaica, stopped when he saw Everit’s Trump flag, hat, and shirt. Currently attending an Ivy League law school, he expressed frustration that his family can no longer afford steak for weekend cookouts and believes Trump will address inflation issues if reelected.

By Sunday morning, the throng of Trump supporters around Madison Square Garden had swelled to thousands as they streamed through police barriers along 33rd Avenue toward the 19,500-seat arena.

Michael Zarro, a tow truck operator, boarded a train from Hampton Bays, Long Island at 5:30 a.m. His aim was to back Trump but more importantly, to witness a significant moment in history by attending an event featuring a high-profile former president at an iconic venue.

Adorned with a red MAGA cap, Zarro expresses support for abortion rights and feels comfortable with some limitations on firearms. His backing for Trump stems not from his political principles, but rather from a shared perception of Trump as an outspoken individual who is less tied to special interest groups.

Vendor Steven Reid mentioned he’s traveled nationwide for Trump events, selling 7,000 hats over the past three days and a few hundred by Sunday noon alone. The beloved red MAGA hat remains his top product.

Reid observed that the assembly at Madison Square Garden was “more ethnic, more diverse” compared to the usual crowd at Trump rallies.

A customer purchased a pin that read “I was there,” featuring Trump’s image alongside the event date and location. “That’s a piece of history,” he commented.

Attendees of the rally were struck by the sight of a large assembly of red-clad Trump supporters in predominantly blue New York, a state Trump had previously lost by substantial margins in both 2016 and 2020.

“This is incredible,” exclaimed 39-year-old Ryan O’Donnell from Pennsylvania while surveying the crowd. “It indicates substantial backing for him, representing a stronger ‘silent majority.’”

Another supporter, 53-year-old Dorothy Purtill from Wappingers Falls, noted that she notices Trump supporters everywhere in her town—on flags, during car gatherings, and waving signs on street corners.

“It feels like he has significant momentum, and I think he could succeed,” stated Purtill, a legal secretary and mother of six who often cooks for twelve and struggles with rising food costs.

Conversely, some New Yorkers were less pleased about the swell of MAGA supporters. Complaining about the throngs and overt signs of Trump support, one man passing a t-shirt seller remarked he would only buy a Trump shirt if it served as toilet paper.

Along Eighth Street outside the venue, a woman with vibrant red hair wheeled a cart with a sign reading “welcome to your Nazi rally.” Nearby, another protester donned a “Stop Project 2025” headband and waved a banner that stated “Trump should be in prison” on one side and “Don the felon” on the other.

Critics didn’t just protest outside; some infiltrated the rally itself. Marty Nagel, a Long Island lawyer, donned a red MAGA hat to fit in and witness the rally firsthand despite not supporting Trump.

“I’m concerned about how the legal system will handle either a Trump win or loss, so I’m here to observe,” Nagel shared.

The rally drew significant media coverage, with cameras filling the streets. Being in New York—an entertainment hub—entertainer Robert Smigel engaged the crowd with his puppet, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

During an impromptu interview, a man wearing a white MAGA hat queried Triumph about attending the rally. Triumph replied negatively, joking that there were “already too many puppets” present.