By Olivia Reingold | The Free Press
In an overgrown field in the Bronx, a borough that has not voted red in a presidential election since 1924, Orthodox Jews, fraternity brothers, George Santos, Dominican immigrants, off-duty firefighters, and thousands of others are craning their necks for a view of Donald J. Trump.
“Thank you, thank you,” Trump mouths to the crowd over the tune of “God Bless the USA.”
He strides up to the podium, in a breeze that rattles the American flags behind him but is no match for his frozen blond coif. Thousands of hands spring into the air, pumping rhythmically to chants of “U! S! A!”
“Hello, New York City, and hello to all the incredible tough, strong, hardworking American patriots right here in the Bronx,” roars the former president. “Who would think—who would think?”
Who would think, indeed. Not Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who for the past five weeks has been trying to pin a felony conviction on Trump involving hush money he allegedly gave to a porn star. Two days earlier, Trump had shuffled out of the courtroom, quiet except for a quick interview where he told reporters, “Remember. . . I’m not allowed to say what I’d really like to say,” referring to the gag order barring him from publicly commenting on the case. The jury reconvenes next week to discuss a verdict.