Trump’s Bronx Rally

Plus, China encircles Taiwan; Harvard’s conscience

Trump in the Bronx (screengrab of Trump campaign stream).

When Ronald Reagan visited the Bronx during his 1980 presidential campaign, he was greeted by hecklers, who, in classic Reagan fashion, he approached to try to win over. Another Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, got a warmer reception tonight.

Rep. Byron Donalds, Republican of Florida, introduced Trump. “There are no racial votes in America anymore, there are American votes, and we are going to save the greatest country the world has ever known,” he said to cries of “USA, USA.”

Said Trump: “Joe Biden is not getting the job done for the Bronx. He is not getting the job done for New York.”

“If a New Yorker can’t save this country, no one can,” Trump said, apparently referring to himself and maybe even putting his status as a Florida taxpayer at some slight risk.

Trump started off speaking mostly about himself rather than substantive policy issues. He mocked Jake Tapper of CNN as “Fake Tapper.”

He did try to compare his economic record against Biden’s. He argued that illegal immigration—”the Biden migrant invasion”— was hurting Black and Hispanic Americans. He vowed to begin the largest deportation program in our nation’s history. And he was greeted with cries of “build the wall.” 

“Joe Biden puts illegal aliens first. I put America first,” Trump said, comparing illegal immigrants to a deadly poisonous snake. “Remember the snake,” Trump said.

Even on the inflation issue, Trump brought it back, slightly mockingly, to himself, “I don’t eat bacon anymore, it’s too expensive.”

He did give a very clear and succinct explanation of the Laffer Curve and supply-side economics: “With lower taxes, we actually took in more money because it gave incentives for people to work.”

And he took credit for peace. “We had no wars. None of these stupid wars.” 

He distanced himself from the Iraq War. “Now Iraq is a subsidiary, essentially, of Iran. Congratulations to the geniuses who got us into that mess.”

Trump spoke of his father. “He was happy when he worked.” He said his father would price a house at $3,999.99, which psychologically made it seem cheaper than $4,000.

He claimed that he won the 2020 election. He goes on at such great length that while displaying energy and endurance, it also indicates a certain lack of discipline.

Whatever issues one may have with Trump or his flirtations with racism and racists, it’s a good sign for America to have both parties wooing Black voters, Hispanic voters, and urban voters rather than having either party write them off or take them for granted. The nice thing about democracy in a country where racists are a small minority is that it pushes politicians to campaign not just in Palm Beach but in the Bronx.