President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Rockland County with Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., on Friday, May 22, is drawing attention across the Lower Hudson Valley.
While few details about Trump’s full itinerary have been released, he is scheduled to speak at 3 p.m. at the Eugene Levy Fieldhouse at Rockland Community College in Suffern.
Visit coincides with Shavuot
Trump’s visit also falls on the first day of Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah.
Trump has previously exchanged public correspondence with the Skvere Rebbe of New Square, leading to speculation that he could meet with Orthodox Jewish community leaders in the Town of Ramapo during the trip. No additional stops have been confirmed by the White House.
Rare presidential visit to Rockland County
The visit marks a rare presidential appearance in Rockland County.
According to local historical accounts, the last sitting president or presidential candidate to visit the county was President Gerald Ford during his 1976 reelection campaign.
Trump’s appearance also comes about a month before New York’s June 23 primary elections, which include the closely watched race for New York’s 17th Congressional District, currently represented by Lawler.
Tax cuts and affordability expected focus
The White House has said Trump’s remarks will focus on affordability and tax policy.
A White House spokesperson told the USA TODAY Network that the administration plans to highlight provisions in last year’s tax and spending package, including tax breaks on tips, overtime pay and some seniors’ income, along with an expanded deduction for state and local taxes, commonly known as SALT.
The higher SALT deduction cap was a major priority for Lawler and other suburban New York Republicans.
Democrats, however, have criticized the broader legislation for reducing federal Medicaid and health care spending over the next decade, arguing the cuts could negatively affect some Americans, including seniors.
NY-17 race likely to be highlighted
Trump is also expected to publicly back Lawler during Friday’s event after endorsing him multiple times on Truth Social this year.
New York’s 17th Congressional District is considered one of the nation’s top battleground races ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Five Democrats are competing in the June 23 primary for the chance to challenge Lawler in November: Cait Conley, Beth Davidson, Effie Phillips-Staley, John Cappello and Mike Sacks.
The district includes Rockland and Putnam counties, along with parts of Westchester and Dutchess counties.
Trump has weighed in on Hudson Valley politics before
Trump has repeatedly commented on Lower Hudson Valley political issues and races in recent years.
In 2025, he criticized Westchester County’s cooperation policies involving ICE and endorsed Republican Christine Sculti in the county executive race against Democrat Ken Jenkins, who ultimately won.
Trump has also publicly criticized New York’s congestion pricing program for Manhattan drivers, declaring on Truth Social that “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD” after his administration moved to withdraw federal support for the plan.
Gov. Kathy Hochul later challenged the move in court, and the congestion pricing program ultimately moved forward.
Earlier this month, Trump again weighed in on the NY-17 race, criticizing Democratic candidate Effie Phillips-Staley while reiterating his support for Lawler on Truth Social.
“Congressman Mike Lawler is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote May 7.
Contributing: USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Trump heads to Rockland County Friday. Here’s what he could talk about
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
