Trump rallies in Syracuse as voters gear up for November midterms
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President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Syracuse, drawing thousands of supporters and an equal number of protesters, underscoring the partisan atmosphere ahead of the November 3 elections.
President Donald Trump visited Syracuse on Friday for a rally supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, drawing an estimated 2,500 attendees to the Oncenter. The event coincided with a protest in nearby Clinton Square, where several hundred demonstrators displayed anti-Trump signs and flags.
Among the supporters was 18-year-old Chase James of DeWitt, who said he attended to show that “our vote matters.” Protesters such as 71-year-old Pam Dahlin expressed disappointment with the current political climate, noting that “it just feels like a country I don’t recognize anymore.”
No arrests were reported, and the day remained peaceful despite the large, opposing crowds. Trump delivered a speech that echoed themes from recent appearances, praising his administration’s record and criticizing state Attorney General Letitia James, climate-change initiatives, and the Interstate-81 highway project. He also claimed credit for the Micron Technology plant in Clay, a project that was approved during the previous administration.
Following the rally, Trump boarded Air Force One with several political allies and former athletes. Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens addressed the protest crowd, highlighting the city’s diversity. Notably, only four of the region’s 16 local Republican officials attended, reflecting ongoing tensions within the party.
The rally and protest occurred as New York voters prepare for the November 3 midterm elections, which will decide the governor’s race, congressional seats, and control of Congress. Governor Kathy Hochul faces a challenge from Blakeman, who trails in recent polls, while Republican congressional candidates hope to retain or flip upstate districts.