Rally overshadowed by continuing criticism of Trump administration's pandemic response and police brutality
Event in Republican state Oklahoma attracted far fewer supporters than Trump team had promised despite Covid-19 pandemicUS President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the US, June 20 2020. Picture: GO NAKAMURA/BLOOMBERGDonald Trump’s first campaign rally at the weekend since coronavirus will be remembered more for what the president would rather forget, as his attempt to reset his re-election bid drew a disappointing crowd in a solidly Republican state.
The crowd inside the BOK Center Saturday night was just under 6,200 people, a spokesperson for the city’s fire department said, or about a third of capacity. Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign’s director of communications, said on Twitter that “12,000 people made it past protesters” and through metal detectors into the arena. At least one attendee reported that perimeter gates at the stadium were closed some time before Trump was scheduled to speak.
“I stand before you today to declare that the silent majority is stronger than ever before,” Trump said. “We are the party of Abraham Lincoln, and we are the party of law and order.” On Saturday, the president said nothing about the size of the crowd.
Masks were distributed to attendees as they entered the arena, but few people actually were seen wearing them. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, said Sunday on CNN that the president was being “tongue in cheek” in the comment about testing, describing it as “a lighthearted moment,” while acting homeland security secretary Chad Wolf said the comment reflected “frustration” about how administration efforts are being portrayed.
National Guards form a line in front of"Black Lives Matter" protesters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Donald Trump held a campaign rally at the BOK Center, June 20 2020. Picture: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PICS: Metal barriers and Trump gear as Tulsa readies for Trump rallySupporters of President Donald Trump were filling streets around the Tulsa stadium where the president will hold his first rally in months, despite warnings from health officials about the coronavirus.
Read more »
Six Trump campaign aides in Tulsa test positive for Covid-19 ahead of rallySix members of President Donald Trump's campaign staff in Tulsa, Oklahoma tested positive for the coronavirus and were placed in quarantine, a campaign official said.
Read more »
TikTok teens and K-Pop fans say they sank Trump's Tulsa rallyTikTok teens and K-Pop fans say they sank Trump's Tulsa rally Hundreds of teenage TikTok users and K-pop fans say they’re at least partially responsible for the lower than expected attendance at US President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa.
Read more »
Trump's visit is an insult to Tulsa, which has seen horrific racist violenceOPINION: For far too long, the injustices of the past have been ignored. Such ignorance compounds the present problems in African American communities, writes RobertRATurner1, the pastor of historic Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church in Tulsa. BlackLivesMatter
Read more »
PICS: Metal barriers and Trump gear as Tulsa readies for Trump rallySupporters of President Donald Trump were filling streets around the Tulsa stadium where the president will hold his first rally in months, despite warnings from health officials about the coronavirus.
Read more »
TikTok teens and K-Pop fans say they sank Trump's Tulsa rallyTikTok teens and K-Pop fans say they sank Trump's Tulsa rally Hundreds of teenage TikTok users and K-pop fans say they’re at least partially responsible for the lower than expected attendance at US President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa.
Read more »