Trump Visits Bodega Where Clerk Killed Ex-Con in Self Defense

Receives Warm Welcome from Harlem  

Former President Donald Trump visits the bodega where clerk Jose Alba stabbed to death an ex con who attacked him. Alba was originally charged with second-degree murder by DA Alvin Bragg's office. The charges were later dropped. -Photo by Truth Social

‘Four More Years’ Chanted in Blue NYC

By Dan Gesslein 

Manhattan Voice 

April 17, 2024 

MANHATTAN - Donald Trump made a surprise visit to a Harlem bodega yesterday and received an even more surprising warm reception by residents lined up to catch a glimpse of the ex President. 

Trump arrived at the Sanaa Convenient Store in upper Manhattan yesterday following his appearance in court during day 2 of jury selection for the “hush money trial.” 

Trump said he was invited to meet with the owners of the grocery store by the Bodega Association. 

Trump meets with the owner of the grocery store, Maad Ahmed (Left), as well as members of the Bodega Association who invited him. -Photo by Truth Social

“They want law and order. They have a lot of crime,  tremendous crime where their stores are being robbed,” Trump said.

The former president met with the owner of the bodega as well as workers inside the stores. The store was made famous when worker Jose Alba stabbed Austin Simon to death when the 35-year-old ex con was caught on camera beating the 61-year-old Alba. Simon’s girlfriend, Tina Lee, was also caught on camera stabbing Alba during the fight.

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Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who is prosecuting Trump, drew controversy when he initially charged Alba with second degree murder. The clerk spent a week on Rikers Island. 

The charges were subsequently dropped and Alba returned to the Dominican Republic where he lives today. 

“You have to stop crime and we’re going to let the police do their job. They have to be given back their authority. We’re making a big play in New York. I love this city and it’s gotten so bad in the last three years, four years, and we’re going to straighten New York out,” Trump is quoted in a NY Post article.

“Alvin Bragg does nothing, he goes after guys like Trump who did nothing wrong. Violent killers and murderers … There are hundreds of murderers all over the city, they know who they are, and they don’t pick them up. They go after Trump,” the former president said. 

When speaking to the co owner of the bodega Maad Ahmed, Trump said his workers should be allowed to carry guns to prevent attacks like what happened to Alba. Ahmed’s attorney informed the former president that if they did, workers would face the same actions as Alba did in defending himself. 

“Everything is screwed up in New York and the whole world is watching,” Trump said. 

As Trump fielded questions by the scant media that was there, he was at times hard to hear. Chants from the crowd of “Four more years” appeared to drown out Trump for a time. 

Then the former President posed for pictures with cops and residents lining the streets before leaving.