Trump Campaign: Target Center Will Honor Contract For 'Keep America Great' Rally
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- President Donald Trump's campaign will soon arrive in Minneapolis to prepare for Thursday's rally at Target Center.
It comes after a day filled with a back-and-forth between the president and Mayor Jacob Frey about who will pay the bill for security at the event.
READ MORE: Downtown Minneapolis Businesses Brace For President Trump Rally
What we know Tuesday night is the Trump campaign takes control of Target Center Wednesday at midnight, and the rally will go on as planned on Thursday.
"There are significant expenses associated with the campaign rally from Donald Trump," Frey said.
The mayor says the campaign must pay $530,000 in additional security costs up front. But AEG -- the company that runs Target Center and booked the rally -- backed down on the demand.
READ MORE: Expect Business, Road Closures Ahead of Thursday's Trump Rally
"It was another effort to make this impossible to happen," said Kayleigh McEnany, Trump 2020's national press secretary.
She said Thursday's rally will go on as planned.
"Really, it doesn't matter what the mayor says at this point. The Target Center is a private vendor, they have a contract with the campaign, they are going to honor that contract," McEnany said.
Defense attorney Joe Tamburino says the city would have a tough time interfering with a private contract, and he thinks this issue could impact the city down the road.
"Who's going to want to do business in the city when they're going to charge you for every extra police officer that walks the beat?" Tamburino said.
READ MORE: 'REALLY NICE!' Pres. Trump Praises MPD Union's 'Cops For Trump' Shirts & Union President Lt. Kroll
Late Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Frey gave this statement to WCCO:
My position with respect to the operating costs remains unchanged: in keeping with our contract with AEG, taxpayers should be reimbursed for city-incurred costs resulting from the president's visit. In the days ahead, I will be meeting with city leadership and my council colleagues to decide upon the appropriate path forward.
So who will pay the $530,000? For now, it appears the city will front the cost, but the mayor promises he'll pursue being reimbursed.
The group Minnesota Trump Victory announced Tuesday night they will hold a protest outside of Mayor Frey's office Wednesday at noon.
