The stops will take him to Coachella in California and Madison Square Garden in New York.
With less than four weeks to go until Election Day, Donald Trump is taking an unorthodox approach by holding rallies in staunchly Democratic states, where he has little chance of winning. His campaign strategy aims to highlight what it sees as failures of Democratic policies while keeping him away from the key swing states likely to decide the election.
Trump’s events over the next month will be held in states like Colorado, California, Illinois, and New York, which were all won by President Joe Biden by significant margins in 2020. One of the most notable events will take place later this month at Madison Square Garden in New York, a location Trump has long coveted for a political rally. According to campaign advisers, these large, high-profile venues will help amplify Trump’s message, drawing national media attention and reaching voters even in battleground states.
Although the campaign’s focus on blue states may seem unconventional, the strategy is meant to capitalize on national media coverage and frame Biden and Harris as failures in leadership. Some experts have argued that this could be a distraction from where the election is likely to be decided — in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia. However, Trump’s advisers remain confident in their approach, noting that his rallies consistently draw huge online viewership and that his campaign’s optimism continues to fuel their aggressive push.
Supporters of Trump’s strategy also point to the potential down-ballot effects. By visiting Democratic strongholds, he may boost Republican candidates in tight races, especially in California and New York, where several House districts are competitive. While Trump’s rallies are unlikely to change the outcome of the presidential race in those states, they could have an impact on Congressional races, which could tip the balance of power in the House.
Matthew Bartlett, a seasoned GOP consultant, suggested that Trump’s unorthodox approach might still have value by appealing to a broader, more culturally diverse voter base, a tactic he employed successfully in 2016. Despite the unconventional nature of these rallies, Trump’s campaign is banking on their ability to attract attention and bolster Republican candidates across the board.