Trump Rallies In Rochester, With Spillover From 250 Capacity Showing Support Outside
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- President Donald Trump spoke Friday at the Rochester International Airport, to a crowd of about 250 supporters, but hundreds of others who couldn't get inside were showing their support outside.
Trump spoke briefly to the hundreds who gathered outside the venue, Rochester International Airport, before giving quick remarks on the tarmac to supporters who were allowed onsite. The president, whose campaign rally speeches are typically fiery and at least an hour long, was unusually subdued. He did, however, lash out at the state's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and its attorney general.
"Your far left Democrat Attorney General Keith Ellison and your Democrat governor tried to shut down our rally, silence the people of Minnesota, and take away your freedom and your rights," Trump said.
Just four days before the election, Trump supporters are hoping for four more years for the President. Some came from other states just to rally.
"We came up last night. We left around 12 and drove straight through," Allison Meyer, of St. Louis, said.
"We've been following the Trump train showing up at events to support the President's campaign," Lola Sparks, of Colorado, said.
At one point the rally was supposed to take place at McNeilus Steel in the town of Dodge Center, but was moved to Rochester and capped at 250 people to comply with COVID-19 Guidelines. In a tweet, Trump blamed state leaders for limiting the crowd size.
"I love President Trump. I love America. I would like to keep America great and that's why I came," Kieran Walsh, of St. Paul.
For those not able to get inside, a Jumbotron was set up for supporters to watch the president's speech.
"You can look at Trump's track record. He has a phenomenal track record. His economy speaks for itself," Cameron Dowden, of Goodhue, said. "I think the movement he's created is phenomenal, and I think the opposition he faces is detrimental to this country."
We are covering President Trump's rallly in Rochester today. The crowd inside has been capped at 250 so a jumbotron has been set up outside for those who couldn't get in. #wcco pic.twitter.com/QFsnU3C8Ft
— John Lauritsen (@JDLauritsen) October 30, 2020
Tom Blondelle says he shows up at Trump rallies to promote Patriotism. He believes the President needs another term to fix Washington.
"Just because he's a goomba and a rich guy doesn't mean that he doesn't have the heart and soul of an American," Blondelle said. "There weren't just alligators in there, there were crocodiles too. And they were Democrats and Republicans. Our country is really corrupt. It's a mess."
The president is calling this a "MAGA Peaceful Protest." He was in Green Bay, Wisconsin before making his way to Rochester Friday afternoon.
Biden also stopped in Minnesota Friday, at an afternoon drive-thru event in St. Paul.
According to recent polls, Trump currently trails Biden in Minnesota, which hasn't opted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972. Election Day is Nov. 3.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)