BETHPAGE, N.Y.—Donald Trump kicked off his first New York rally Wednesday as if he never lost Wisconsin’s primary contest the evening before. He drew thousands to a massive sound stage at Grumman Studios.
Trump supporters gathered inside and enjoyed watching a video montage of Trump through the years on two giant screens.
The Nassau County Republican Party, well known for its patronage, was visible at the event. A large number of Nassau County GOP VIP’s skipped the line and were ushered backstage through the press pen by security detail. One young VIP guest, however, was denied entry as he was accused of drinking too much prior to the event.
The crowd roared as the screens showed the image of a younger Donald in his helicopter, emblazoned with the name “Trump.”
“Build the wall!” the crowd chanted.
The Trump supporters became upset when an image of a New York Daily News cover portraying Trump as a clown flashed across the screens.
“Booooooo….”
This was not the only image that angered Trump’s supporters. As Fox News Channel’s Brit Hume and Megyn Kelly appeared in the video, more boos and hisses came from the crowd, until a clip appeared showing Trump at a debate.
“You gotta’ take’em out swiftly and strongly,” Trump said in an interview clip on the screen. The New York developer’s fans erupted.
An ebullient Trump walked on stage amid screaming supporters, who say they are attracted to the campaign because of his candor, his unpredictability, and the fact that he’s not a “politician.”
Trump kicks off his speech with stories about flying over Queens, his boyhood home, and recalling how much he enjoyed golfing in Bethpage.
Next, Trump jumped into his standard riff on the horrible state of the country.
“We don’t win on trade. We don’t win on health care. We are going to start winning again, folks,” he said, boasting his ability to self-fund his campaign, unlike other candidates.
Trump hit each of his usual campaign trail points — “knock the hell out of ISIS,” “take care of our vets,” and “build the wall, before asking…and who’s gonna’ pay for it?”
“Mexico!” the crowd boomed.
“I love Hispanics,” Trump said, as the crowd booed when he noted that Americans are losing jobs to Mexico.
Trump’s main rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, was given no mercy Wednesday night, as Trump mocked him for apparently attracting 100 people to a campaign event. The crowd booed and yelled out angry epithets as Trump brought up Cruz’s infamous accusation that Trump merely has “New York values.”
“Like we’re no good,” Trump said as the crowd growled. “I started talking to him about the World Trade Center—the bravery—the incredible bravery…,” he said amid bursting cheers until a chant of “USA, USA, USA” broke out.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich took a little shrapnel as well. “He is now oh for 32, except for one state. One for 33, but that’s okay, He’s a nice guy. Let him go,” Trump said over boos from the audience.
A handful of protesters managed to find their way inside, only to be swarmed by Trump supporters chanting his last name, as previously instructed if such a scenario occurred.
“Asshole, asshole, asshole…,” the crowd jeered as law enforcement removed one protester.
After taking credit for discussing 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden — in one of his books — before anyone else did, Trump took his usual shots at the media claiming the press never accurately depicts the size of the crowd that attends his events.
The New York Republican primary, which is proportional, holds 95 delegates and voters go to the polls on April 19.
Trump, according to polls, is expected to win his home state easily, but both Kasich and Cruz are also touring the Empire State and hope to keep the New York businessman under 50 percent statewide and per congressional district, while keeping their own numbers at least above 20 percent, which would drastically cut into Trump’s share of the delegate take.