A large crowd of supporters gathered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, early Saturday morning for former President Donald Trump’s first rally since surviving an assassination attempt a week ago.
Video taken more than six hours before Trump was set to take the stage showed thousands of people eagerly waiting in line, OANN’s Daniel Baldwin reported.
It’s 10:30am.
The queue to meet President Trump translator It’s huge.
Just a few thousand people.
The State of Michigan issued a statement: pic.twitter.com/U35T14JNmN
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) July 20, 2024
Another video taken later inside the venue showed the 12,000-seat Van Andel Arena filled to capacity.
Sold out.
Trump Special. pic.twitter.com/J3BodbGZMO
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) July 20, 2024
translation I spoke with a few fans of the former president, who plans to bring out his new running mate, J.D. Vance, on stage at a rally for the first time.
Edward X. Young, of New Jersey, came to Grand Rapids directly from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He spent the night in a folding chair outside the arena.
“It was 3 a.m. and a little cold and I was lightly dressed, but it was worth it,” said Young, who has already attended 80 Trump rallies.
“This is no laughing matter anymore. This is very serious. This is the first rally since the attempt to kill him and we have to be here and show our support,” he continued. “We didn’t flinch. We didn’t run and we’re not going to stop coming to the rallies.”
Kathleen Smiley also drove into the city early to meet Trump and Vance.
“I missed the last event in Muskegon so I left early. I packed some snacks and came here. I want to meet Trump and Vance. I saw a movie too,” she said. Hillbilly ElegyThe film is based on Vance’s memoir.
The film was directed by Ron Howard trend The book is available on Netflix after President Trump named the author as his running mate earlier this week, according to Breitbart News.
“We’re interested in Vance right now because it’s a good movie,” Smiley said.
Randy Ritsema, who brought his children to the rally, said Trump’s triumphant reaction to being shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday meant he was “sure to win” the election.
“He’s going to be president. This is just my opinion, but I think it’s over. I don’t think Biden has a chance.”
