All three Republican presidential candidates got a taste of New York values Thursday when hundreds of protesters gathered outside their glitzy dinner gala.
Chaos erupted early as GOP A-listers funneled past shouting demonstrators to get into the Midtown Grand Hyatt on E. 42nd St. for the state party’s annual event.
Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich all took turns speaking to the well-heeled crowd — ignoring the pandemonium in the street.
“It’s great to be back. What a crowd,” Trump said, giving a thumbs-up as he took the stage for what turned into a long, rambling speech about the city.
Praising the response after 9/11, Trump said, “Every small act of kindness” was an example of New Yorkers’ grit.
He then pivoted to the state’s April 19 primary.
Anti-Trump protesters fill the streets outside the Grand Hyatt hotel Thursday evening.
“I just want to tell you that I’m so proud to be with you tonight. I’m so proud to be discussing New York values. . . . We’re going to have an amazing election coming up,” he said, dismissing the “paid protesters” at the hotel door.
Kasich, who followed Trump, also evoked a New York theme.
“I think I’ve eaten my way across the state. . . . I hope the New Yorkers will forgive me for taking a fork and touching a pizza with it,” he joked.
“The reason why I come here is, frankly, you’re so alive when you’re in New York, you don’t want to sleep when you’re in New York,” Kasich enthused, as he went on to tout his positive attitude for the next 10 minutes.
Cruz, who famously denigrated “New York values” as liberal claptrap, struck a different note — going on the attack against President Obama.