Trump talks "New York Values," confuses 7-Eleven with 9/11
Donald Trump has played many roles in his life - builder, television host, a brief stint in professional wrestling, presidential candidate. And on Monday night, in Buffalo, in his last rally before voting begins in the New York primary, Trump played the role of preacher and mascot on behalf of New York.
Trump brought a piece of paper on stage to read from it - a rarity - paying tribute to "New York values," a phrase whose meaning has been dissected every which way this campaign season.
But Trump's deepest defense of New York didn't come without a stumble.
"I think what I want to do is I want to talk just for a second," Trump said at the First Niagara Center. "I wrote this out. And it's very close to my heart because I was down there. And I watched our police and our firemen down on 7-11, down at the World Trade Center, right after it came down."
He accidentally said 7-11 instead of 9-11, but continued on.
"Now New York has been a symbol of American strength to the world. Now where do we see the values? We see the values with our New York police and firefighters. They don't get enough credit. These are great, great people. Great Americans."
Trump was sober and measured, two adjectives not typically used to describe his speeches. But in an instant - as Trump might say it - "so fast your heads will spin" - Trump returned to his own boisterous self.
When a group of protesters locked arms near the back of the arena and had to be dragged out by police, Trump said, "Yeah, get em out. Go home to mommy!" And when he blared to the crowd that his Southern border wall was going to be built, the crowd let out a deafening roar.
"The reality is I think Donald has been open and honest about what's been going on," said 59-year-old Cathleen Ackerman. "And I am not for political correctness. I am for respect. And I think there's a major difference."
Trump was introduced by a popular man in Buffalo: Bills head coach Rex Ryan.
Ryan said, "I'm not a public speaker. I'm just a football coach." Earlier in the day, Ryan said this wasn't an endorsement. When Trump came on stage, he noticed Rex Ryan's notes still on the podium.
"Oh look, here are his notes," Trump said. "Look, his notes. By the way, I think he's a very good speaker. He says he doesn't do this. I'll tell you what he is. He's a great, great football coach. Here, Rex."
Trump tossed the papers aside and told the crowd that the Bills were going to have a "very good season" next year and then went on to discuss his bid to buy the team in 2014 - "I bid a billion!"
He ended the speech with another for the books rant on winning.
"We're gonna win at every element of what we're doing! We're gonna win with the military! We're gonna win with everything. We're gonna win so much! You're gonna get tired of winning! You're gonna be saying from Buffalo, 'Please please, Mr. President, we don't want anymore business!
"We're doing too much business! We're making too much money. No matter what you do! We don't wanna win anymore!' I'm gonna say, 'Sorry, we're gonna keep winning!' We're gonna win, win, win! And we're gonna make America great again!
"America first, folks! America first. Thank you, Buffalo!"