Former President Donald Trump drew a large crowd at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, for his first campaign rally in the area on Wednesday night. The event saw heightened security as attendees focused heavily on Trump’s immigration policy platform.
In his speech, Trump expressed frustration with the current state of the nation, particularly criticizing Democratic leadership in New York City and state. He described homeless encampments as “horrible, disgusting, dangerous, filthy” and labeled the New York City subway as “squalid and unsafe,” promising to address these issues if elected. “We’re just destroying the fabric of life in our country. And we’re not going to take it any longer,” he declared, urging voters to support his vision.
Trump reiterated his commitment to launching a major deportation initiative if he wins the presidency again, stating, “What the hell do you have to lose?” He underscored the impact of illegal immigration on local businesses and resources, claiming thousands of people are exploiting public services.
The rally attracted significant interest, with over 60,000 tickets requested for a venue with a capacity of 16,000. Supporters began arriving early, with many watching Trump’s address on large screens set up outside the Coliseum. Trump supporter Pam Wissmam commented on the unifying atmosphere of the gathering, stating, “It’s all American. It doesn’t matter if you’re Black, you’re white, you’re Asian or Latino, it’s just everybody coming together.”
However, the rally was not without opposition. A counter-protest by members of the Haitian American community highlighted concerns regarding Trump’s rhetoric. One protester accused him of transforming patriotism into “hatriotism.”
Before the event, authorities addressed false reports circulating on social media regarding explosives near the rally site, clarifying that a civilian had been mistakenly associated with the incident. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder confirmed that a person allegedly linked to bomb detection training was not part of law enforcement or the event.
This rally marked Trump’s first visit to Long Island since 2017, and he indicated plans to visit Springfield, Ohio, in the upcoming weeks, where he has faced criticism for making inflammatory remarks about the local Haitian community.