Former President Trump is back in Western Pennsylvania for the first time since an assassination attempt injured him last month in Butler County, and he is hoping his visit will rally his MAGA base to boost him to a Pennsylvania and national victory come November.
Trump will speak late Friday afternoon at 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown. Thousands are expected to attend.
First supporters filter into 1st Summit Arena ahead of Trump speech: 12:30 p.m.
The first supporters began to trickle into 1st Summit Arena by around 12:30 p.m.
The arena holds 4,000 on the bleachers, and about 1,000 more chairs were set up on the floor.
Inside 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown, an idea of the size of the local hockey arena. It holds 4,000 in the bleachers and there are another about 1,000 chairs on the floor. The first supporters are filtering in now. pic.twitter.com/ubMd6UHuWM
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) August 30, 2024
Officials closed about three blocks around the arena for vehicle traffic. The Secret Service are checking bags and asking people to take things out of their pockets as people enter the venue. People also have to go through metal detectors to enter.
So far, there is no additional protective glass around the podium where Trump will speak. Extra bulletproof glass had been set up around the former president when he spoke at a recent outdoor rally.
Protesters join the crowd in Johnstown: 12:09 p.m.
A small group of protesters gathered outside of the venue, holding signs with messages like “Veterans against Trump” and “Dump Trump.”
Though Cambria County is a Republican stronghold, the city of Johnstown often elects Democrats for local offices.
There is a small group of counter protesters here too in Johnstown. Cambria County is red as can be, but the city of Johnstown is purple and typically elects Democrats to local offices pic.twitter.com/9fuo9PcHkq
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) August 30, 2024
Crowds begin to gather ahead of Trump speech: 12:00 p.m.
By noon, crowds had already started to gather outside of the arena.
Throngs of supporters carried flags and life-sized cardboard cutouts.
A live look at the line for former President @realDonaldTrump’s rally in Johnstown, PA @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/C7SRVY3fFc
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) August 30, 2024
The line was already wrapping around the arena before noon. Tents lined the roads leading up to the arena, selling hats, tee shirts, flags, sweatpants, mugs, Trump bobbleheads and other wares.
The line wraps around the 1st Summit Arena here in Johnstown for the Trump rally @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/q4tFlJjAUo
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) August 30, 2024
An RV decked with Trump flags and signs sat outside the area.
The cardboard cutouts of @realDonaldTrump are out in full force as well ahead of the rally in Johnstown @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/dEtsuj4kNZ
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) August 30, 2024
This RV is completely decked out in @realDonaldTrump gear @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/hUvlkfJJlH
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) August 30, 2024
Trump is likely to attack his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, on her changing stances concerning the U.S. border and fracking, a key issue in the Greater Pittsburgh region, according to a news release from his campaign.
“A Trump-Vance administration will Make America Great Again by unleashing American drilling to halve energy costs, halting the migrant invasion on our southern border, and restoring America’s rightful standing and respect on the world stage,” the Trump campaign said.
The Johnstown area, about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh, is one of Trump’s strongholds in Pennsylvania. Cambria County, home to Johnstown, went emphatically Republican in 2020, with Trump getting 68% of the vote compared with President Joe Biden’s 31%.
Trump’s visit comes as polling shows a virtual dead heat with Harris among Pennsylvania voters.
It has been eight weeks since the Trump rally shooting July 13 in Butler. Trump was grazed by a bullet that clipped his ear. Corey Comperatore, 50, of Buffalo Township was killed and two men were injured in the shooting. A Secret Service sniper killed the shooter, Thomas Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park.
Security has since increased at Trump campaign events, and Trump spoke in front of a bulletproof glass barrier at his most recent outdoor rally in North Carolina.
The Johnstown rally will be indoors, in an arena that houses the city’s junior hockey franchise.
While Trump is hoping to enthuse his supporters, Democrats are also preparing counterattacks.
The Democratic National Committee is placing four billboards throughout Johnstown that criticize Trump’s tariff proposals and claiming his tariffs will result in an additional $3,900 in annual costs for American families.
“Donald Trump’s tax scam was a disaster for working Pennsylvanians. As president, he gave handouts to his wealthy friends at the expense of middle-class families,” said DNC Spokesperson Addy Toevs. “If he reaches the White House again, he’ll double down on those policies and force the average family to pay thousands more in taxes.”
Harris will visit the Pittsburgh area on Labor Day with President Joe Biden.
Both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have been barnstorming Pennsylvania recently, with multiple trips each within the last two weeks.
Pennsylvania is a key swing state with 19 Electoral College votes and many political prognosticators predicting it will be the tipping point in the November election.