Trump Stumps in Syracuse for Blakeman’s Bid to Unseat Hochul

President Donald Trump traveled to Syracuse, New York, on Friday night to campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in November’s election.

Trump framed the rally around what he called America’s “New Golden Age,” telling the crowd that electing Republicans statewide would bring New Yorkers lower taxes, cheaper energy and safer streets.

“We’re in the Golden Age of America,” Trump said, asking supporters to bring the same energy they showed during his presidential runs. “Please pretend I’m on the freaking ballot,” he told the crowd. “And in a really, in a certain way, I am on the ballot because they can take away everything that we, that we got.”

Trump made Blakeman’s campaign against Hochul the central focus of the night, promising federal backing if Blakeman wins.

“[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.”

The president criticized Hochul over taxes, utility costs and public safety in New York, arguing that a Blakeman administration could tap into the state’s economic potential through domestic energy development and cost-cutting measures for families.

Trump also pointed to his administration’s broader economic record, citing Micron’s planned $100 billion semiconductor complex in central New York. The company has said the project is expected to create 50,000 jobs statewide, including 9,000 direct Micron positions.

“This will soon be the home to the largest semiconductor manufacturing facility ever built in the Western Hemisphere,” Trump said.

Blakeman appeared onstage alongside Trump and echoed calls for lower taxes and utility bills, greater public safety, and policies aimed at making New York more competitive for both businesses and families.

“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 endorsed two Republican congressional candidates at the rally: Kailee Buller, who is running against Democratic Rep. John Mannion in New York’s 22nd District, and Anthony Constantino, a candidate for the state’s open 21st District seat.

The event included a brief, unscripted moment when Trump invited former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson onstage.

“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.”

Trump laughed in response, joking about Tyson’s boxing reputation. “I don’t want to fight him,” he said, adding, “You look good, Mike. What the h— are you doing?”

Closing out the rally, Trump returned to his message that turnout will determine the balance of power in Washington and Albany alike. “We’re going to elect a Republican House and Republican Senate,” he said.