Grand Rapids, Michigan – Thousands of supporters of former United States president Donald Trump crowded the streets of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan arena district on Saturday July 20, 2024 waiting for the doors to open to attend Trump’s first campaign since announcing running mate JD Vance, a senator from Ohio. The campaign rally also took place one week after an assassination attempt on Trump in Butler PA.
The lengthy line to get into the event was close to two miles long at one point. As people waited the excited crowd remanded peaceful and chants of TRUMP! TRUMP! TRUMP! and USA! USA! USA! Could be heard echoing in between the buildings on the streets.
Many people attending had their own reasons for attending the rally, but all wanted to see Donald J Trump a man that they consider the savior of America.
Paul Teatro of Holland, Michigan just wanted to see Trump.
“We, you know, we’ve been inspired by everything that’s happened to him. And we obviously believe that he’s the only chance we have to turn the country around,” Teatro Said. “Trump’s the only guy that could stand up against all the resistance that he gets, think about eight years of just going after him relentlessly in the press, everywhere. And here he is still standing still with his chin out saying, we’re going to turn this thing around. So who else could do that?”
When asked about what policies attracts him to Trump Teatro said,” What policy attracts you? Oh, there’s a whole slew of them. I think what he did with the economy was incredible. What he did with securing the border was also incredible. No wars. You know, being energy independent. You know, all those things, I think are and you know, the thing that always gets me as you listen to you turn on the TV and you hear these people, Trump’s gonna kill democracy as like, hang on kids. Trump was our president for four years, and it was everything in our country was better than it is today. So pick, pick it, pick a category. It’s better today than it was. It’s better when Trump was president than it is today.”
Aaron Staeven of Newago, Michigan was also there to show his support of Trump Staeven said he is worried about the economy and immigration.
“Our current administration and Democrat Party is just destroying the whole economy by mandating electric vehicles, no gas stoves, things like that. Some of the core principles our country works around on the we live off these items and they’re trying to delete them,” Staeven said, “And as far as the immigration if we can’t allow millions of millions of undocumented immigrants, that many of them do not support the economy they they’re not able to fill decent positions are a drain on our social systems.”
Arriving late Hedi Newton of Jenison, Michigan sat across the street from the arena knowing that there was no way that she was getting into to see Trump. Yet she still wanted to show her support.
Newton was a die hard Obama fan said, “. I think it was weird because I really liked him and he kind of brought our country together. But then I realized that we were falling apart. And since I’ve seen the Democratic Party come into fruition, they’ve done nothing for us.”
When I asked Newton about reproductive rights her eyes began to tear up as she said. “Thank you for asking. It means a lot to me. I actually had two abortions in my life. I don’t agree with that it’s bad, not okay. Makes me sick what I did. I vote for Trump all the way because he is with Jesus Christ.
The issues of immigration, border security and the economy were the two main issues people that brought up the most. The colors of red, white and blue along with the red MEGA “Make America Great Again” Hats brought them together.
Media Works of John Rothwell 