Donald Trump’s rally in New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden was much more than a campaign event in symbolically hostile territory; it was part of a broader strategy aimed at achieving not only victory but also a resounding national mandate.
At first glance, the decision to hold a high-profile rally in New York — a state Trump has little chance of winning — might seem curious to observers, but it signals the campaign’s confidence.
Tactically, the event in New York City does two things. First, it bolsters Republican House seats in New York won in 2022 due to former Rep. Lee Zeldin’s strong run for governor. Second, because the New York media market extends to Pennsylvania, it nudges the Keystone State further into Trump’s camp.
But Trump is playing a bigger game, seeking to secure both the Electoral College and, for the first time since…
