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Former President Donald Trump and his newly-announced running mate, Sen. JD Vance, are speaking at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan Saturday evening, where thousands of people are already gathered inside an arena, waiting for him to take the stage.
From the Daily Mail: Thousand of Donald Trump supporters descended on Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday for the first campaign rally of the former president since the failed assassination attempt one week ago in Butler, PA.
Crowds of Trump loyalists started lining up in downtown early in the morning and by early afternoon, the line to get into the event spanned multiple city blocks as people came from all over Michigan and out of state to see the Republican presidential nominee speak.
Security for the rally was intense outside the Van Andel Arena. Dump trucks blocked off streets around the venue while fencing had also been erected outside. Local and state police patrolled the perimeter on bicycles and and horseback.
Trump was scheduled to speak at 5:00 pm ET, but as usual, their schedule is running behind.
The crowds started lining up hours ahead of time. Below is a photo of the line at 9:39 a.m. – 7 and 1/2 hours ahead of Trump’s speech.
Trump is coming to Grand Rapids. This is at 9:39. pic.twitter.com/WCBQQcIxRH
— Matt Witkos Reporter (@matt_witkos) July 20, 2024
🚨BREAKING: THE LINE FOR RIGHTFUL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S RALLY IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN IS LITERALLY MILES LONG!
This video was taken over TEN HOURS before Trump’s speech at 5PM EST.
Will this be Trump’s BIGGEST RALLY YET?
Share to make this go viral! pic.twitter.com/VOLQEDdBHF
— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) July 20, 2024
🚨 Tonight, President Trump and VP nominee @JDVance1 will hold their first rally together – and the first since the heinous assass*ination attempt – in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
THOUSANDS are already in line.
The passion & energy are fiercer than ever.
Incredible 🔥
📸:… pic.twitter.com/Cotn23kCyQ
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) July 20, 2024
Chants of “Trump! Trump!”, “Fight! Fight!” and “USA! USA!” are heard from the crowd of fired-up supporters waiting in line.
This is one quarter of the crowd size at 8:30am in Grand Rapids, Michigan for President Trump and @JDVance1!
Thousands of people standing with the 45th President today! pic.twitter.com/4Cd9NDLjdc
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) July 20, 2024
Pray for President Trump and JD Vance’s safety today in Grand Rapids.
🙏
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 20, 2024
Ahead of Trump’s speech, supporters are posting videos on social media from inside the arena.
🚨BREAKING: OVER 20,000 PEOPLE ARE AT RIGHTFUL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S RALLY IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI SO FAR!
The mainstream media definitely won’t report this.
Sure would be a shame if everyone shared this and it went viral! pic.twitter.com/Bk9nrTaBn6
— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) July 20, 2024
LETS GO!!!! This Trump Rally in Grand Rapids Michigan is Massive!
A week ago Trump was shot at his rally and he’s back on the trail!
President Trump is putting his life at risk to save America and Make America Great Again ! You have to Respect that! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/RhTrmEcKsm
— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) July 20, 2024
GIGANTIC crowd ready to see President Trump in Grand Rapids! 🚨🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/GLnAokWu3E
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) July 20, 2024
Blake Marnell, of San Diego, known on social media as “Brick Suit,” shared a photo of a young boy who brought a picture he drew of Trump, along with the message, “My hero is a FIGHTER!!! God bless America and President Trump.”
Just met 10 year old Parker Dean who brought a picture he drew of President Trump to the rally in Grand Rapids!
Quite the artist! pic.twitter.com/gMfzmhKmGv— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) July 20, 2024
A video posted about 4:40 pm ET shows the arena completely packed.
Packed house.
The Trump Special. pic.twitter.com/J3BodbGZMO
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) July 20, 2024
Beautiful Night In Grand Rapids! Van Andel Arena is Ready To Make America Great Again! Trump 2024! pic.twitter.com/W1QbiY5yQz
— 🇺🇸Michigan MAGA🇺🇸 (@eowalter331) July 20, 2024
Vance took the stage ahead of Trump’s arrival.
“Kamala Harris said that I have no loyalty to this country…Well, I don’t know Kamala. I did serve in the US Marine Corps and build a business. What the hell have you done?” he quipped.
Senator @JDVance1 in Grand Rapids, MI:
“Kamala Harris said that I have no loyalty to this country…Well, I don’t know Kamala. I did serve in the US Marine Corps and build a business. What the hell have you done?”🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/JBiYL7ABtF
— William Martin (@wsmartin218) July 20, 2024
FIRST LOOK AT NEW TRUMP-VANCE AIRPLANE
Trump’s longtime aide Dan Scavino posted a video announced Trump’s arrival in Michigan. Seen on the tarmac in Trump’s plane, Trump Force One, along with the plane Vance arrived in.
The plane, painted white, has the words “Trump Vance”, along with the slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
President Trump is wheels down in the Great State of Michigan, as is @JDVance1! #TrumpVance2024 🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/9KHmrBLPW5
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) July 20, 2024
WATCH LIVE COVERAGE OF THE RALLY IN ONE OF THE VIDEOS BELOW:
Vance came back to the stage and is delivering an introduction to Trump.
A custom wrapped truck was seen driving down the street ahead of the rally.
Custom vehicle wrap on a truck driving by the Trump rally line in Grand Rapids, Michigan pic.twitter.com/LtUBZmecRC
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) July 20, 2024
