Donald Trump to speak behind bulletproof glass in North Carolina at first outdoor rally after he was shot
Donald Trump will hold his first outdoor rally since being shot on Wednesday, but he will deliver his speech from behind bulletproof glass.
Shipping containers were stacked two high around the grounds of the North Carolina Aviation Museum in Asheboro, blocking the view of the podium where the former president will address his supporters.
He is making his third campaign appearance this week, as he seeks to divert attention from the Democratic Party convention in Chicago and revive a campaign that has stalled since Joe Biden withdrew from the race to be succeeded by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump is expected to attack Harris and lay out his national security plans for a second term.
“Since the weak, failed, and dangerously liberal Kamala Harris took office, America has become a global laughingstock,” the Trump campaign said.
Donald Trump will hold his first outdoor rally since being shot on Wednesday, but will deliver his speech from behind bulletproof glass
“From our wide-open borders to the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan, to the war between Hamas and Israel and supporting the Iranian terrorist regime, this administration’s weakness on the world stage has jeopardized America’s national security and brought us to the brink of World War III.”
But the location is at least as important as his words, as Trump seeks to demonstrate that a potential assassin can’t shut down his signature outdoor rallies.
Some concessions have been made regarding the shooting just five weeks ago, when he was nearly killed.
A three-inch thick panel of ballistic glass was installed in front of the lectern. Three more panels protect its back.
The stage and seating have been carefully placed between the hangar buildings and stacks of shipping containers, to screen off the rally site.
Supporters, some of whom slept in the cars, began to take up positions in the open air shortly after 10 a.m. when the gates opened.
A three-inch thick panel of ballistic glass was installed in front of the lectern. Another three panels protect its back
The stage and seating are carefully placed between hangar buildings and stacks of shipping containers, to shield the rally site
The location of Trump’s rally today is as important as his words, as Trump aims to show that a potential assassin can’t put a stop to his signature outdoor rallies
The bulletproof glass screen is placed around the stage ahead of Trump’s first rally
An American flag will hang above the stage in North Carolina in a setup that closely resembles Butler’s iconic images
Martha Agnew, 61, wearing a silver cowboy hat and a “women for Trump” badge, said she had no problem sitting in the front row at her 37th rally.
“I’m very spiritually minded, so I think divine protection, common sense and what you see here…,” she said, pointing to the panels of bulletproof glass, “so I feel absolutely safe.”
She said it was important to attend the meeting.
“It’s about showing up and standing up,” he said.
After Asheboro, Trump will travel to Arizona for an event at the border and on Friday he will be in Nevada to highlight his “no tip tax” plan.
Trump is spending the week in key states rolling out his policy platform.
On Monday he was in Pennsylvania, where he spoke about the economy.
Tuesday was Michigan and law and order.
After Asheboro, Trump will travel to Arizona for a border rally and on Friday he will be in Nevada to promote his “no tip tax” plan.
However, his lead in the polls has been almost entirely erased by Harris’ momentum since accepting the Democratic nomination.