**Trump Defends Madison Square Garden Rally Amid Controversy**

Donald Trump addressed his supporters on Tuesday, defending his recent rally at Madison Square Garden, which has faced criticism for derogatory and divisive remarks made during the event. Speaking to a crowd at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the former president described the rally as "an absolute lovefest" and expressed his honor in being involved.

The backlash centers around comments made at the rally in New York City, including a comedian's description of Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage." Trump's allies expressed concern about the potential political fallout, particularly given the significant influence of the Puerto Rican community in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, which is home to about half a million Puerto Rican residents. Despite these concerns, Trump did not directly address the criticism of the remark.

During his speech, Trump emphasized the overwhelming support he felt at the rally, claiming that the event was unparalleled in its emotional intensity. "I don't think anybody has ever seen anything like what happened the other night at Madison Square Garden," Trump said, describing the event as "breathtaking" and noting that the venue could have been filled many times over with those who were unable to get in. He also highlighted feedback from experienced politicians who reportedly described the evening as exceptionally beautiful.

CNN reported that several of Trump's associates were dismayed by the language used at the rally, particularly the disparaging remarks about Puerto Rico. This has led to internal conflicts and concerns that the controversial statements might overshadow the intended message of the event. Trump, however, dismissed comparisons made by Democrats between his rally and a 1939 Nazi event at the same venue, labeling such analogies as "terrible."

The Puerto Rico comments by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe were swiftly condemned by Kamala Harris' campaign, which used the incident to criticize Trump for allegedly neglecting the US territory following Hurricane Maria in 2017. Although Trump's campaign distanced him from Hinchcliffe's remarks, claiming he did not know the comedian, Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, downplayed the controversy, calling the backlash a "fake outrage cycle."

In his address on Tuesday, Trump simultaneously criticized Harris and President Joe Biden's administration for their handling of economic and border security issues, rallying his supporters with a call to "fight like hell" in the coming days.