Trump urges New York revival, backs voter ID and housing bill in Rockland speech

President Donald J. Trump spoke at Rockland Community College on May 22, 2026, pressing a platform of stricter election rules, immigration limits and lower interest rates for housing affordability while criticizing New York Democrats and praising recent tax changes.

Trump opened by invoking his New York roots and saying the state must be "straightened out," blaming what he called "bad policies, bad politicians and foolish radical left idiocy" for prompting businesses and wealthy residents to leave. "When they go, they never come back," he said, arguing that departures of high taxpayers have hollowed the state's tax base.

He promoted the "Save America Act," describing it as requiring voter ID and "proof of citizenship" and characterizing mail-in voting as a system that is "a disaster." "It's voter ID. Who's against that?" he asked the crowd.

On public safety and social issues, Trump said "we don't want open borders" and argued for restrictions on transgender athletes in women’s sports, saying bluntly, "No men playing in women's sports!" He used anecdotes about a weightlifter and a swimmer to illustrate his concern about fairness and safety in athletic competition.

On economic matters, Trump took credit for tax cuts and changes to the state and local tax (SALT) treatment that he said boosted take-home pay for New Yorkers and shielded jobs. He also touted market performance and job gains under his administration, saying "more people are working in the United States than at any time ever before," and framed tariffs as a tool that encouraged companies to invest in U.S. manufacturing.

Trump endorsed a housing measure moving through Congress but emphasized his view that falling interest rates, more than legislation, determine housing affordability. "You get the interest rates down, everyone's going to be happy," he said.

He also praised an administration policy he called the "Most Favored Nations" agreement, which he said has driven down drug prices compared with other countries. "They pay $87 in London and we paid $1,300," he said in an anecdote about prescription costs.

Local residents and supporters were brought forward for brief remarks. Kathy Kennedy, identified in the audience as a retired special-education teacher, thanked the president for policies she said saved her about $3,000 this year. A local small business owner said changes to the SALT deduction and child-account policies allowed the family to reinvest in their home-inspection and land-investing businesses.

Trump closed by introducing administration officials, including the Secretary of Commerce and the federal housing director, and thanking local elected officials for their support.

The event was largely a campaign-style address, combining policy pitches, partisan criticism and local testimonials; no formal federal or state actions were taken during the appearance.