Donald Trump's rally draws a seemingly sold-out crowd to Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK – Thousands of people flocked from the New York area and other parts of the country Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday afternoon for Former President Donald Trump's campaign rally.

The NYPD said it had drones over the area, robots and a helicopter, as well as anti-terrorism units on site to monitor the situation to ensure everyone's safety.

With just nine days until Election Day, the two presidential candidates are neck and neck in a new CBS News poll Vice President Kamala Harris at 50% and Trump at 49% among likely voters. In battleground states, both polls are at 50%.

The focus of the respective campaigns was on issues such as immigration, the war between Israel and Hamas and crime.

Trump, JD Vance, Elon Musk and Melania Trump spoke

Sunday's rally marked a detour from the battleground states for Trump. When Trump entered the arena, there was applause, a standing ovation and the crowd began chanting. Every seat seemed to be occupied, from the floor to the highest areas.

In his remarks, Trump called Vice President Kamala Harris a “train wreck” and said her election would “put the lives of millions at risk.”

Among those who took the stage before the former president spoke were vice presidential candidate JD Vance and a billionaire supporter Elon Musk.

Surprisingly, Melania Trump also appeared and introduced her husband. It was her first public political speech this campaign cycle and the first time she introduced her husband at an event this cycle. Mrs. Trump has largely stayed away from the campaign trail this year, appearing with her husband only a few times during Trump's third presidential run.

Additional speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Jr.former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr. and Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido.

“President Trump grew up here. He’s a New Yorker,” Giuliani said. “That’s why people are a little annoyed with him. He speaks his mind.”

Trump supporters revel in the former president's appearance

The former president is from Queens. CBS News New York met supporters from his home district as well as a couple from Chicago and others from the New York area.

“I just love him and he’s the best. I want the economy to do better,” said one woman.

“We have an influx of migrants, illegal migrants. Our economy is…just go to the grocery store,” a Dutchess County man added.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was one of several Long Island officials who came to the Garden with the Trump motorcade.

“Just look around. This is incredible. We're in New York City, right in the middle of, you know, this is liberal…one of the most liberal cities in the country, and it's amazing,” said New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov.

Vulgar language during the introduction

Before Trump took the stage, there were some profanities in the speeches. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who goes by Kill Tony, made a crude joke calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” and made other offensive jokes about blacks and Latinos.

Sid Rosenberg, a radio host with whom Trump often speaks, called Hillary Clinton a “sick son of motherfuckers” and referred to migrants as “fucking illegals.”

David Rem, a childhood friend of Trump, called Harris “the Antichrist.”

Grant Cardone, a business owner, said Harris “and her pimps are going to destroy the country.”

contributed to this report.