Ahead of former President Donald Trump’s visit to the South Bronx, “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy spoke with local residents who expressed frustration with the state of the nation under President Biden’s leadership. As Campos-Duffy toured the neighborhood, residents described Trump as being for the “little man” and praised him for showing respect to the Bronx by visiting.
“Senior citizens cannot walk down the street. Our children are being killed. When you go to a grocery store, you can’t even buy anything anymore,” said Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., president of New York’s Hispanic Clergy Association. “I’m a Democrat. All my life I’ve been a Democrat, but Democrats have used us and abused us, they think that they own us. Donald Trump is giving us an opportunity.”
One resident explained that Trump’s visit demonstrates a lot of respect for the Bronx, despite it being a Democratic stronghold. Another voter told Campos-Duffy that Republicans should be aware that not all registered Democrats are voting for Democratic candidates, stating, “I happen to be one of those Democrats that hasn’t voted Democrat since the age of Ronald Reagan.”
In a major challenge to Democrats, Trump will host a campaign rally in the Bronx on Thursday, setting his sights on flipping the traditionally blue Empire State red this November. This move would have been unthinkable in 2021 when he departed the White House.
Trump’s campaign announced that Thursday’s rally will take place at 6 p.m. in Crotona Park, just blocks away from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s district. The campaign has a permit to accommodate 3,500 people at the 127-acre public park, according to The New York Post.
The rally comes on the heels of a record-breaking Trump event that brought up to 100,000 supporters together in the Democratic stronghold of New Jersey last week.
“Everyone needs help. People need housing. Instead of giving migrants and everybody that’s coming from other countries help, we’re here. We’re Americans. Give us some help,” one resident said, predicting Trump will be welcomed with “open arms.”
Another resident expressed gratitude for Trump’s presidency, saying they’d thank him for what he did if given the chance.
While acknowledging the reception may be mixed, one resident told Campos-Duffy that Trump is a better option than re-electing Biden, stating, “I can tell you that the Bronx has been through many changes, everything was getting back on track, and now everything is falling apart again.”
The same resident offered advice to Trump: “Just let us know exactly what you’re going to do for everyone. Not just the Hispanic community, not just the Black and the minority communities, but for America. Because when America succeeds, we all succeed.”
“Black people and Hispanic people are very happy about him coming here, and they want to see the options, and they want to see Democrats step their game up. Republicans have an opportunity here that they can’t let go,” said another resident.