The ex-president returns today for a rally to Butler,Pennsylvania, where he survived anassassinationattempt on July 13.
He will be joined by J.D.
An older woman ahead has two canes and heavy braces on both knees.
A man cheers on a crowd of attendees as they wait in line prior to rally by former President Donald Trump on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Her face grows redder and sweat drips off her nose as we make progress toward security.
Someone suggests she go through a separate line reserved for the aged and infirm.
She shakes her head.
No, I want to be able to tell people I walked through with everybody else.
Maybe its the early hour, but everyone is quiet and respectful.
This just makes the t-shirts even more jarring.
She has glasses and reminds me of Anna Chlumsky in My Girl.
The child wears a Trump t-shirt as well.
Its an image of Trump seen through a rifles scope.
It reads, You missed bitches.
She catches my eye and gives me a smile.
She then reaches up and grabs her mommas hand.
(Also, we missed the media credential deadline.)
I keep my political opinions to myself.
A place where they can let their Fuck Everybody freak flag fly?
Turns out it is all of the above.
Whatever your intentions, the rally is not for the meek.
Hotel rooms are sold out or going for $400 a night, so many sleep in their cars.
I quickly learn this is smokers row.
They wear matching Trump hoodies, peeling them off to place on the damp ground.
The woman tries to make her 58-year-old father comfortable.
Ill call them Bella and Ben.
I wanted to get him a seat.
Ben is chain-smoking even though he looks quite ill. Bella whispers later that Ben has lung cancer.
She tells me her father has been smoking since he was nine and he cant quit it.
Later in the day, I asked Ben if he had tried Nicorette patches.
He smiles and rolls up the sleeve and shows me he has a patch going.
Im trying, says Ben.
I think theres going to be a civil war, Ben says.
Id rather die fighting than in a hospital bed.
The conditions here are not great for a sick, chain-smoking man.
The wait for a hot dog is over two hours and our shade disappears by noon.
Still, Bella says the vibe here is better than at other Trump rallies.
I wouldnt take him to one near us, too many fights, too many troublemakers, says Bella.
She guesses it is because a trip to Butler is a commitment, you must be dedicated.
Everyone here is so nice.
People assume shes a Trump staffer and start giving her tips.
Bella says she used to be a blue-collar Democrat but Trump turned her into a Republican.
She speaks in almost perfect Fox News-speak, as if she is reading off Jesse Watters teleprompter.
Were not doing enough for Americans, says Bella, lighting another Newport.
And Elon is trying to help and theyre stopping his aid from getting in.
The governors of North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina have all praised the federal governments efforts.
I didnt get it, my kids didnt get it, and my grandkids didnt get it.
Here, you catch the flip side.
How can anyone vote for Harris when she didnt get a single vote?
And with inflation, youd have to be brain damaged.
A TV crew comes nearby and starts interviewing another woman.
Its part of a collective fury here, where the facts dont always square with the rage.
No household making $100,000 is entitled to food stamps unless there are a multitude of children involved.
(Ben contributes to my confusion later by showing me photos of expensive art he claims to own.)
Soon, others in the crowd are shouting at the reporter.
Talk to her, she cant even get food stamps.
Ben tells me of the immigrants who have moved into his neighborhood.
Theyre living 40 to a house, he tells me.
I ask him where they are from.
I dont know, Ive never talked to them.
Bella leaves to fight the crowds for food.
Its all blocked off by trailers and remains unseen.
This doesnt stop a man from grabbing the reporter.
Theyre going to kill him, says the man.
The deep state is not going to let him become president again.
Theyre going to fucking kill him.
No one around him disagrees.
Ben half-listens and shakes his head sadly.
Kids dont have a chance now, says Ben.
He shares with me the funnel cake that Bella bought him.
ITS 6:00 P.M. and Trump takes the stage an hour late.
He confirms immediately that everyone here are indeed American pilgrims.
And as I was saying… Ben clenches his gnarled fingers and gives a fist pump.
Trump then talks about the 7/13 martyr, fireman Corey Comperatore.
He tells the crowd of how Comperatore was so excited that he had great seats for the July rally.
A moment later, Trump pauses.
It is 6:11, 12 weeks to the time that the shooting began.
I would like everyone to join me in a moment of silence.
Then the evening takes aMegalopolisturn.
The jumbo screens that most attendees are watching on cuts to a man who belts out Ave Maria.
The always operatic Trump has brought out an actual opera singer.
I wouldnt leave your seat too fast when were finished today, says Trump.
He then glances over to where J.D.
What do you think, Mr. Future Vice President, pretty good, right?
I dont know if you could do that, JD.
Ben sits down, a content smile on his face.
Bella asks if he wants to leave.
Were staying for Elon, he says.
He gets his wish a few minutes later.
Trump introduces the richest man on the planet and the tired, exhausted working-class crowd lets out a scream.
It doesnt last long because Musk is on stage jumping around like a jack-in-the-box who has left his box.
Bella shoots her dad a look ofwhat the hell.
People begin streaming toward the exits.
This isnt meant as a criticism.
Its now 7:00 p.m., everyone has been on their feet for 12 hours, they are fucking exhausted.
They have seen their messiah and his chief Pharisee.
They can tell their grandchildren about it.
Bella asks her dad if he is ready to go.
Bella is right, the parking lot is a disaster.
I curse and call friends, bitching about my plight.
Eventually, I roll my window down.
No horns are honking, people are out of their cars, smiling and chatting with their fellow prisoners.
Everyone is content to linger on hallowed ground.
