The race for the White House remained essentially a dead heat on Sunday -- with nine days to go until Election Day.
Former President Donald Trump delivered a speech Sunday afternoon at New York's Madison Square Garden. After making several stops in Philadelphia on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally there Sunday afternoon.
Almost 42 million Americans have cast a vote through early voting methods, as of Sunday afternoon, according to data from the University of Florida's Election Lab.
The about 41.9 million recorded mail and early in-person votes were evenly split with about 21 million mail ballots returned nationally and about the same cast at in-person early voting polling sites across the country, the data showed.
Early voting options are now open to voters in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Many early voting periods will last until the weekend before Election Day.
Oct 27, 2024, 7:43 PM EDT
Trump repeats falsehoods about FEMA and Springfield
During his campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, former President Donald Trump attacked FEMA and the Biden-Harris administration's hurricane response.
He called their response to Hurricane Helene "egregious" and "the worst response in North Carolina and other states since Katrina."
"They haven't even responded in North Carolina. There's nobody, they don't see any FEMA," Trump falsely claimed about the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Turning his attention to illegal immigration, the former president again repeated falsehoods about Springfield, Ohio.
"You take a look at Springfield, Ohio," he said, "... where 30,000 illegal migrants were put into a town of 50,000 people."
Oct 27, 2024, 7:30 PM EDT
DNC projects messages about Trump onto Madison Square Garden during rally
During former President Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, the DNC projected artwork that reads "Trump = Unhinged," "Trump Praised Hitler," "Trump = Unfit," "Trump = Unstable" and "Trump = Cheat."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: The DNC projects a message reading "Trump = Cheat" onto Madison Square Garden during his campaign rally on October 27, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for DNC)
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for DNC
Oct 27, 2024, 7:18 PM EDT
Trump takes the stage at Madison Square Garden
"I'm thrilled to be back in this city I love," former President Donald Trump said as he took the stage at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
Oct 27, 2024, 7:11 PM EDT
Melania Trump speaks at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally
Former President Donald Trump's wife, Melania, took the stage at Madison Square Garden in an unannounced appearance.
Former First Lady Melania Trump speaks during a rally held for former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Oct. 27, 2024.
Sarah Yenesel/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
"Please welcome our next Commander in chief. My husband, President Donald J. Trump," Melania introduced her husband to a heartfelt embrace from the sold-out crowd.
During her brief statement, the former first lady welcomed supporters to New York by painting the city as the beacon of opportunity; however, her speech turned when she claimed the city had lost its spark due to a declining economy and unsafe environment.
Her remarks foreshadowed her husband's speech as she pointed to immigration and the economy.
"Today, a declining quality of life coupled with economic instability makes it difficult for businesses to thrive," Melania said.
"Crime is on the rise while public safety diminishes, creating an environment where families with young children choose to relocate. And this story repeats itself from coast to coast across our nation. This is America."
Melania closed by asking the crowd to envision a country with a "shared vision that builds on American greatness."
"Envision a wonderful America where the seeds of security, prosperity, and health are so and once again, for the benefit of our families. Let us start together with a shared vision that builds on American greatness. Let's seize this moment and create a country for tomorrow, the future that we deserve."
