President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Rockland County on Friday, May 22, for an event with Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., at Rockland Community College in Suffern. The appearance is expected to draw thousands of attendees, along with protesters and heavy traffic throughout the Hudson Valley.
Here’s how to watch the event live and what to know before it begins.
How to watch Trump’s Rockland County event live
Trump’s appearance is scheduled for Friday afternoon at the Eugene Levy Fieldhouse at Rockland Community College, located at 45 College Road in Suffern. The event is expected to begin at 3 p.m. after doors open at 11 a.m.
Trump’s speech is also expected to stream live through social media channels, as well as cable news networks covering the event.
Why Trump is visiting Rockland County
The White House said Trump’s remarks will focus on affordability and federal tax policy, including provisions from last year’s tax and spending package.
Topics expected to be highlighted include:
Lawler has made expanding the SALT deduction a major issue for suburban New York taxpayers.
The visit also comes as Lawler prepares for a highly competitive reelection campaign in New York’s 17th Congressional District, one of the nation’s key House battlegrounds ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Protests planned outside the event
Civil rights groups, NAACP leaders and local activists announced plans to protest outside Rockland Community College during Trump’s visit.
Organizers gathered Thursday at the Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument in New City, criticizing Trump administration policies involving immigration, Medicaid, voting rights and transgender issues.
Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley also criticized the visit and Lawler’s role in bringing Trump to the district.
“Donald Trump is coming to the Hudson Valley for one reason: Mike Lawler is scared,” Conley said in a statement Thursday.
Lawler spokesman Scott Waters said more than 5,000 people registered for the event and said many residents are excited about Trump’s visit.
Traffic delays expected across Hudson Valley
Heavy traffic and rolling road closures are expected Friday because of the presidential motorcade and security operations.
Traffic congestion is expected to increase late Friday morning and peak between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Drivers in Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties are encouraged to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes.
Areas expected to see delays include:
Roads near Rockland Community College may also face temporary closures and restricted access.
Rockland schools change schedules
Several Rockland County schools announced closures or early dismissals because of expected traffic and security concerns tied to the visit.
Schedule changes include:
The visit also coincides with Shavuot, and many yeshivas in the area are closed for the holiday.
Contributing: Journal News reporter Nancy Cutler, USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How to watch Trump’s Rockland County visit live Friday: Start time, streaming
Reporting by Madison Scott and Alexandra Rivera, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
