Trump Makes Stop At Barber Shop
Footage of former President Donald Trump’s visit to a Bronx barbershop on Thursday has rapidly gained traction online, with supporters praising the event as evidence of his authenticity. Trump, who was in New York ahead of the prestigious Al Smith charity dinner, spent about an hour at the King of Knockouts barbershop, engaging with customers and barbers in a scene that quickly became a social media sensation.
The visit, shared via clips on X (formerly Twitter) by Trump’s senior adviser Steven Cheung and deputy director of communications Margo Martin, racked up over 250,000 views in just a few hours. For many of Trump's supporters, the footage reinforced their belief that he remains a "man of the people." One user commented, “He’s authentic. We need a lot more of that in American politics.”
Although some initially thought the visit was spontaneous, barbershop owner Javiel Rodriguez later clarified to News 12 that it had actually taken a few days to organize. The barbers were prepared, donning shirts that read “Make Barbers Great Again,” a playful nod to Trump’s iconic “Make America Great Again” slogan. The event was held under tight security, with both the New York City Police Department and U.S. Secret Service present to secure the area.
While Kamala relies on carefully scripted interviews inside corporate studios, Trump is able to bro out with Hispanics inside a Bronx barbershop while they get their hair cut
This is why Kamala cannot compete with Trump.
"YOU'RE THE BEST!"
TRUMP: "I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!"❤️ pic.twitter.com/cFu4sZjQdD
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 17, 2024
Trump’s appearance at the barbershop marked his second visit to the Bronx during this election cycle. Earlier in March, he had held a rally in the borough, promising to aid New York’s Democratic leadership if he were to win a second term. At that rally, he vowed to personally call local officials to offer assistance, saying, “This is President Trump and I want to come back and help.” Despite relocating his official residence to Palm Beach, Florida, in 2019, Trump’s deep roots in New York remain a key element of his campaign appearances in the state.
New York, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, has voted blue in the last nine presidential elections, with Trump losing by a significant margin in both 2016 and 2020. However, his continued focus on the state—evident with a recent rally on Long Island—shows he’s not completely writing off its influence. His visit to Castle Hill in the Bronx is particularly interesting, as the neighborhood sits within the 14th Congressional District, represented by Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The district has been a Democratic stronghold since 1926, and the area has consistently voted blue in recent elections.
BRONX: @realDonaldTrump visiting Javiel’s Barbershop in the Boogie Down! pic.twitter.com/aElaMyaiHe
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) October 17, 2024
Despite these challenges, Trump’s outreach in traditionally blue regions like the Bronx may be part of a broader strategy to sway pockets of voters in key areas. While his chances in New York statewide remain slim, focusing on neighborhoods like Castle Hill, with its diverse population, sends a message of inclusivity as he looks to broaden his appeal.
As Trump continued his New York tour with the Al Smith charity dinner, where he would be a featured speaker, Vice President Kamala Harris opted to skip the event in favor of campaigning elsewhere. Harris shared a recorded video message that was played at the dinner, in what is becoming a key period of campaigning for both candidates as they work to galvanize their respective bases heading into 2024.