President Trump Addresses ‘Socially Distanced’ Rally in Rochester [VIDEO, PHOTOS]
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - President Trump spoke to 250 socially-distanced supporters at the Rochester Airport this evening and also thanked the hundreds of other supporters who gathered outside the airport’s fence and listened and watched the speech on a large video screen.
Trump blasted Minnesota’s political leaders, whom he described as “radical Democrats,” for limiting the size of his campaign rally today at the Rochester Airport. He singled out Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison by questioning why Ellison didn’t demand a permit before protestors hit the streets following the death of George Floyd and instead encouraged them to exercise their First Amendment rights. He claimed Minnesota’s Democratic leaders hoped he would cancel the Rochester stop by demanding his campaign restrict the size of the rally, before telling the cheering crowd he wouldn’t give up on them.
The president focused on public safety at the beginning of the speech with repeated references to the rioting, looting, and other violence that occurred in the Twin Cities in late May before focusing turning his attention to former Vice President Joe Biden with a long list of criticisms over his past actions, proposals, and the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden.
Trump also touted his administration’s impact on the economy in Minnesota’s Iron Range, saying his policies have brought back jobs to that region and have won over many voters in what had been a Democrat stronghold. He highlighted that point by noting 9 Democratic Mayors of northeastern Minnesota cities have endorsed his re-election bid.
Trump devoted the final minutes of his speech to encourage his supporters to vote for him and other Republican candidates in Tuesday’s elections. He suggested he might have won in Minnesota if he had made “just one more stop” and asked the crowd in and outside of the rally to “remember what your Governor did,” in reference to the limit on the attendance at the rally.
The president arrived on Air Force One at about 5:30 this afternoon but didn’t reach the podium to begin his speech until around 6 PM after visiting with the crowd in the overflow section outside the airport. He’s expected to Washington D.C. this before embarking on another day filled with campaign appearances on Saturday.