During a recent broadcast, CNN’s Kristen Holmes expressed surprise at the large turnout for former President Trump’s rally in the Bronx on Thursday. Speaking to Anderson Cooper, Holmes highlighted the significance of such a gathering in one of the nation’s most staunchly Democratic areas.
“The crowd was notably larger than what Democrats would prefer, especially in such a deeply blue county,” Holmes remarked when discussing the rally’s atmosphere.
Holmes admitted uncertainty about the event’s potential turnout. She noted that while many Trump rallies attract supporters traveling great distances, this event had a notable number of local attendees.
“I’ve attended numerous Trump rallies nationwide, and it’s common to see supporters who come from far away. However, this time, many were actually Bronx residents,” she observed.
Holmes reported mixed reactions from voters she interviewed outside Crotona Park, where the rally took place.
“Some locals felt Trump didn’t belong here,” she said. “Yet, I also encountered voters who had backed Biden in 2020 but were now discontented with the economic situation and were considering Trump as an alternative.”
The rally, which Trump’s campaign estimated drew 25,000 people—far surpassing the anticipated 3,500—saw many attendees waiting hours in hopes of entering, even after the event had started.
In his address, Trump lauded New York’s history while criticizing its current state, citing the rise of homeless encampments. He characterized the rally as a “love fest.”
Earlier on CNN, Holmes noted Trump’s focus on issues pertinent to New Yorkers, such as infrastructure and job creation, describing him as “remarkably on message.”
The decision to hold the rally in the Bronx, a diverse and heavily Democratic area, drew criticism. New York Governor Kathy Hochul faced backlash for calling Trump supporters “clowns,” and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez celebrated the prospect of bad weather disrupting the event, though the weather ultimately held.
The rally’s diverse crowd included supporters from various backgrounds—Black, Hispanic, White, Asian, and Muslim. Attendees came from nearby states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as from within New York City itself, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
In the Bronx, Trump garnered less than 10% of the vote in 2016, and though his support increased to 16% in 2020, Biden secured 83.5% of the vote. Current polls indicate Trump is gaining traction among Black and Hispanic voters.
The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.