Former President Donald Trump said this week that he would make a serious push to win New York State, just days after holding a successful rally in the Bronx. The comment came as the former president appears to be gaining steam in a number of states that traditionally vote for Democrats.
“Well, I don’t know about other races. I think we can win New York as a presidential candidate because I have a special relationship with these people,” said Trump.
“I will say this, as good as 2016 and 2020 were, it’s nothing compared to what’s happening now, and you see that,” said the former president.
Trump has cited many of the issues facing the city in recent years, including the increase in crime.
THE BRONX, NEW YORK!
THANK YOU—MAGA🇺🇸https://t.co/0hSYAwR9k5 pic.twitter.com/IiHIWl5sr0— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 25, 2024
Trump’s comments came after he was greeted by a crowd of enthusiastic supporters in New York City earlier this week.
A recent Siena College poll showed Trump within 9% of Biden in the Empire State. While he is still trailing, it marks a considerable improvement over his position from four years ago. Biden won the state by 23% in 2020 and no Republican has won it in more than 30 years.
Trump has received a series of positive polling results in recent months. This includes a number of polls indicating him leading in most or all swing states.
Expanding from the swing states that will likely decide the 2024 election, Trump is also gaining in states that traditionally vote for Democrats. Earlier this month Trump held an election rally in New Jersey, which has not voted for a Republican in more than 30 years. The former president said that his campaign would win that state.
Trump also headlined a recent Minnesota Republican Party event. The former president said that his campaign would try to win the state, which no Republican has won in more than 50 years. A recent poll showed Trump close to Biden in the state.
The former president’s strategy may be similar to how he won the 2016 election, by breaking down traditional Democratic Party strongholds and flipping them to the Republican column.
