Trump presses ahead with rally in Tulsa
Health officials warn of potential virus spread
TULSA, Okla. – President Donald Trump ignored health warnings and pressed ahead Saturday with a comeback rally in the midst of a pandemic.
The rally in Tulsa, was intended to be the largest indoor gathering in the world during the outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans, put 40 million more out of work and upended Trump’s reelection bid. But in the hours before the event, crowds seemed significantly lighter than expected. Campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to first address an overflow space.
Huge swaths of empty seats remained in the downtown arena before Trump was to take the stage. And that came on the heels of the campaign revealing that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the virus.
The atmosphere before the rally was celebratory as some supporters – many of whom did not wear masks – brandished American and Trump campaign flags.
“We’ve never been to a rally before and we heard that the president is speaking inside and outside,” said Katie Williams, noting that Trump was expected to address an overflow crowd near the arena before hosting the rally. But the campaign canceled its planned outdoor speeches, The Oklahoman reported. Campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh said the cancellation was because of protests outside.
Trump called the crowds gathering for his high-stakes rally in Tulsa “unbelievable” as he departed the White House on Saturday, but didn’t respond to shouted questions about the six campaign staffers who have tested positive for the virus.
“The event in Oklahoma is unbelievable. The crowds are unbelievable,” Trump said, umbrella in hand, before boarding Marine One to begin his journey to Tulsa. “We’re going to see a lot of great people ... and pretty much that’s it.”
Tensions between rally attendees and protesters that caused Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum to declare a curfew earlier in the week had not materialized as of Friday afternoon. Bynum rescinded the curfew on Friday after speaking with Trump.
Trump is returning to the campaign trail as his support has slid in national and battleground polls amid the pandemic, the economic impact of shutdown orders and racial divisions that have resurfaced following the death of George Floyd, a Black man whose neck was pinned to the ground under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer.
One protester was arrested Saturday morning outside the BOK Center. The protester had entered a “secure zone” surrounding the arena established by law enforcement. The woman told reporters she had a ticket for the event but was told by law enforcement that she was “trespassing and breaking the law.”
The department said they tried to convince the protester to leave before she was escorted away and arrested for “obstruction.”
After enduring deluges and a shortlived curfew, Trump supporters said Saturday they are ready for the event.
“It’s just fun. People from all different backgrounds are here and we’ve made so many friends,” said Oklahoma resident Laura Ashford. “I wanted to be here for Juneteenth just as much as I wanted to see Trump.”
About a mile and a half south of the rally, Tykebrean Cheshier, 21, was planning a “Rally Against Hate” at Veterans Park, an event she expects to attract up to 6,000 people including some who have indicated they will travel from St. Louis and Chicago.
Cheshier stressed that she did not consider the event a ounterprotest, though it was set to take place at the same time the president was to deliver his remarks. She said it was deliberately being held in another part of the city.
“Our rally is to give people a way to still have a voice while he’s here,” she said. “People want a place where they can go safely.”
Some local health officials have called for the rally to be canceled as coronavirus cases spike statewide, including in Tulsa.
The Associated Press contributed