Trump, a New York celebrity for decades, hoped to use the event at the iconic venue known for Knicks basketball games and Billy Joel concerts to deliver his closing argument against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, even though the state last backed a Republican presidential candidate in 1984.
Trump spoke repeatedly about his plans to halt illegal immigration and deport migrants he described as "vicious and bloodthirsty criminals" if he wins the Nov 5 election.
"On day one, I will launch the largest deportation programme in American history," he said. "I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered."
Trump called Ms Harris a "very low IQ individual" and drew cheers from supporters for his tough-on-migrants rhetoric.
He vowed to ban sanctuary cities, which refuse to cooperate with the federal government in enforcing immigration laws, and to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act law to deport immigrants with criminal records.
A long list of opening speakers varied widely, from former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan to former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani to Trump's sons Eric and Don Jr.
Some used racist and misogynistic language in warming up a capacity crowd.
Mr Rudy Giuliani, the one-time New York City mayor and a former personal lawyer to Trump, falsely claimed that Ms Harris was "on the side of the terrorists" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe used crass language in joking that Latinos "love making babies" and called the Caribbean US territory of Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage".
This story is from the October 29, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the October 29, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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