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President Donald Trump returned to his home state of New York on Friday night, showcasing America’s “New Golden Age” and promising to help Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman flip the Empire State red as the GOP makes its final push toward November’s midterm elections.
Trump rallied supporters in Syracuse with a sweeping celebration of his administration’s economic and immigration agenda, pledging to help New Yorkers secure lower taxes, cheaper energy and safer streets by electing Republicans up and down the ballot.
“We’re in the Golden Age of America,” Trump told the crowd, urging supporters to deliver the same enthusiasm that powered his presidential campaigns.
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President Donald Trump leaves the stage after speaking during an election rally at the Oncenter on Oct. 9, 2026 in Syracuse, New York. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“Please pretend I’m on the freaking ballot,” Trump urged. “And in a really, in a certain way, I am on the ballot because they can take away everything that we, that we got.”
The president took Blakeman’s challenge to Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul as the centerpiece of the rally, promising direct support from Washington if elected.
“[Blakeman will] save this state. He’ll turn the state around and I’ll help him from the White House,” Trump said. “I’ll be helping him for governor.”
Trump blasted Hochul over New York’s taxes, utility bills and public safety, arguing that Blakeman could unleash the state’s economic potential by embracing domestic energy production and cutting costs for families.
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman on stage during an election rally at the Oncenter on Oct. 9, 2026 in Syracuse, New York. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The president also hailed his administration’s economic agenda as proof of what Trump described as a remarkable national turnaround.
He singled out Micron’s planned $100 billion semiconductor complex in central New York, a project the company says is expected to generate 50,000 jobs across the state, including 9,000 directly with Micron.
“This will soon be the home to the largest semiconductor manufacturing facility ever built in the Western Hemisphere,” Trump said.
Blakeman joined Trump onstage and echoed the president’s message of a Republican resurgence, promising to cut taxes and utility bills, focus on public safety and make New York more attractive to both businesses and families.
President Donald Trump speaks during an election rally at the Oncenter on Oct. 9, 2026, in Syracuse, New York. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“We have to create good jobs, good benefits to keep our young people here,” Blakeman said. “We gotta look at business not as the enemy, but as a partner.”
Trump also threw his support behind Republican congressional candidates Kailee Buller, who is challenging Democrat Rep. John Mannion in New York’s 22nd District, and Anthony Constantino, who is running for the state’s open 21st District seat, pledging to help Republicans compete for both seats.
The rally also notably featured a brief but memorable on-stage appearance by legendary former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, whom Trump invited up before the crowd.
“I’m just happy to be up here with my president, President Trump,” Tyson said. “And, there’s no way in the world I would ever be here if it wasn’t for a president like Donald Trump. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
President Donald Trump shakes hands with former professional boxer Mike Tyson after he was introduced during an election rally at the Oncenter on Oct. 9, 2026 in Syracuse, New York. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Trump responded with a laugh, recalling Tyson’s notorious reputation.
“I don’t want to fight him,” Trump joked, before complimenting the former champion. “You look good. Mike. What the h— are you doing?”
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With Election Day approaching, the president returned to his core message that Republicans need Trump supporters to make a roaring showing at the ballot box.
“We’re going to elect a Republican House and Republican Senate,” Trump said.
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