Thousands of red MAGA hat wearing Trump supporters lined up in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the President’s campaign rally Thursday night at the 10,000 seat Van Andel Arena (with an overflow area also set up). Many lined up before dawn according to local reports and attendees. Doors open at 4 p.m. EDT for the 7 p.m. start of the rally.
Several reports describe the crowd as a “sea of red hats”. Wearing the red Trump Make America Great Again hat has made supporters a target of violence and hatred from liberals across the country. That so many are wearing the hat to the Grand Rapids rally can be seen as a sign of defiant support for President Trump, especially so after his being cleared of the bogus collusion with Russia allegations and obstruction of justice by the Mueller probe.
Photo from after 7 a.m. EDT by Eric Brefka, WZZM-TV.
People as far as Chicago and the U.P are already lining up outside of Van Andel Arena for President Trump's MAGA really tonight. @wzzm13 pic.twitter.com/EFlpv4ov5r
— BreakfastParty (@EricBrefka) March 28, 2019
WZZM video report from 6:30 a.m. EDT shows dozens in line on the dark outside the Van Andel Arena.
Video posted by Eric Lloyd with 9and10News shows late morning line.
We are still 8 hours from the start of the @realDonaldTrump rally here in Grand Rapids but already there are hundreds of people lined up. Some have been here since well before dawn. @9and10News pic.twitter.com/6Am46mpby8
— Eric Lloyd (@EricLloyd) March 28, 2019
Laura Cox, Chair of the Michigan Republican Party posted photos from outside the arena Thursday morning.
So many GREAT Michigan Patriots already lined up AROUND Van Andel Arena to see President @realDonaldTrump tonight! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hF3QxLp9Z4
— Laura Cox (@LauraCoxMI) March 28, 2019
Reporter Jonathan Oosting of the Detroit News found the line quite long after Noon.
So many GREAT Michigan Patriots already lined up AROUND Van Andel Arena to see President @realDonaldTrump tonight! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hF3QxLp9Z4
— Laura Cox (@LauraCoxMI) March 28, 2019
Fox17 reporter Ahtra Elnashar posted photos calling the scene a “sea of red hats.”
Downtown Grand Rapids is a sea of red MAGA hats. @FOX17 pic.twitter.com/yf98oGhnDz
— Ahtra Elnashar (@AhtraElnashar) March 28, 2019
Attendee Roy Couch also called the scene a “sea of red hats.”
https://twitter.com/royboy138/status/1111309293763133442
ABC News reporter Rachel Scott posted photos from outside and inside the arena.
https://twitter.com/rachelvscott/status/1111271511883681798
Trump campaign official Tim Murtaugh posted a photo of himself inspecting the arena set-up.
On the scene awaiting @realDonaldTrump for tonight’s #MAGA rally at @VanAndelArena in Grand Rapids, MI. Lots of good news to celebrate. The Michigan economy is booming. Thousands of folks will pack this place tonight. pic.twitter.com/yTMk8lWQWG
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) March 28, 2019
Jason Heeres with WWMT-TV posted video of the crowd from afar (wait for the ending).
https://twitter.com/jaheeres/status/1111318541066743810
Photo from outside the arena by Chris Zoldaz.
Long of of people waiting to enter Van Andel Arena for the president’s rally in Grand Rapids this evening. A street vendor called me “big guy” and asked if I wanted a “Trump hat.” I politely declined. pic.twitter.com/xXFUBUn1Lc
— Chris Zoladz (@ChrisZoladz) March 28, 2019
Instagram view form the back of the line by Christy Cox
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvj68SiH_fZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
More overhead video of the line by Jason Heeres shows a rock band performing on the overflow stage.
View of the line in front of @VanAndelArena as @POTUS will be here for a rally at 7pm. Stay with @wwmtnews as @MikenzieFrost and @Mkrafcik will have team coverage of #trumpinGR pic.twitter.com/MhXRo6tdjn
— Jason Heeres🎥 (@jaheeres) March 28, 2019
Holland Sentinel reporter Kate Carlson posted video of the line.
People are lined up around the corner for President Donald Trump’s rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids. pic.twitter.com/5XVLHzLIIs
— Kate Carlson (@BizCarlson) March 28, 2019
Video clips of an interview with Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany by Sinclair’s Mikenzie Frost.
I spoke with Trump 2020 National Press Secretary @kayleighmcenany moments ago ahead of the rally in Grand Rapids.
I saw a sign outside the rally about the media being the enemy of the people – I asked her about that feeling inside the campaign. #TrumpInGR
WATCH: 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/jOJUNf9Jqe— Mikenzie Frost (@MikenzieFrost) March 28, 2019
@kayleighmcenany added that the 2020 cycle will feel similar to 2016.
She said that's not a bad thing. #TrumpInGR
MORE: 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/ySoQlOTQrG— Mikenzie Frost (@MikenzieFrost) March 28, 2019
Mid-afternoon photo of crowd by Michigan GOP’s Hannah Osantowske shows the sea of red hats still growing.
https://twitter.com/HOsantowskeMI/status/1111337703893880833
To close, a likely winner for the most senior Trump supporter attending the rally.
Helen Bergstrom, 87, made her way to Grand Rapids from Cheboygan for the Trump rally. “I’ve never been to a presidential rally in my whole life, and it’s coming to an end soon, so I didn’t want to miss it." pic.twitter.com/vCgJkd9tPq
— Jonathan Oosting (@jonathanoosting) March 28, 2019
