While addressing reporters in Scranton, Pa., on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump announced that he will hold a major rally at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City later this month.

“We’re doing Madison Square [Garden], We’re going to go to the arena in Atlanta, if we can get it. We’re going to go to the arena in New Jersey, if we can get it. You have to get it. But we’re doing arenas because the crowds are so big. And we’re making a play for New Jersey,” Trump told supporters. 

“We’re making a play for Virginia. We’re making a play for New York. New Mexico. Minnesota, where this lunatic comes from. I’m doing well in, you know why I’m doing well in Minnesota? Because he’s running,” he added.

Trump just announced that he will be holding MASSIVE rallies in New Jersey and deep-blue cities like Atlanta, Georgia, as well as the Madison Square Garden rally. He also said that New York, Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia etc are in "play" for him to win

"But we're doing arenas… pic.twitter.com/tnzniMatG6

— George (@BehizyTweets) October 9, 2024

Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden is set for October 27, just nine days before the election, according to Trump campaign sources cited by the New York Post. The event is expected to draw a large crowd and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Over the past year, Trump has held multiple rallies in traditionally Democratic New York, which experienced a significant rightward shift in 2022. Last month, more than 15,000 supporters packed the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. In May, over 10,000 New Yorkers attended his rally at Crotona Park in The Bronx, greatly exceeding the park’s 3,000-person capacity.

Earlier this year, Trump also rallied in Wildwood, New Jersey—a favored vacation destination for residents of South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania. The beachfront event drew over 20,000 supporters, prompting Trump to pledge a return to the Garden State.

The former president has appointed Rep. Jeff Van Drew to lead his campaign in New Jersey. Van Drew, a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party in response to the Trump impeachment trials, has become one of Trump’s strongest allies in the state.

Since changing parties, Van Drew has easily won re-election twice.