by Ashlyn Gerbaz
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally in Grand Junction on Oct. 18, at West Side Aviation. There were an estimated 5,000 people in attendance, and the line started to form around 9 a.m. for the 3 p.m. rally.
Trump’s aircraft landed just minutes before the rally was set to begin, and people were still in line backed up to the parking lot to get in. Trump exited his Boeing 747 to cheers and people chanting “USA.”
Trump started the rally reminding everyone to get out and vote on Nov. 8 or to mail in their ballots.
“Definitely Nov. 8, get out, we’re gonna win, we’re gonna take back the White House, we’re gonna put America first again,” Trump said.
Trump set out his plans to re-negotiate trade deals that he believes are “terrible,” end illegal immigration, reduce crime in the country and cut taxes. Trump also wants to rebuild the U.S. military.
“We have some of the greatest people in the world in our military, but it has really become depleted, and we’re gonna fix it, make it better, and hopefully we’ll never have to use it,” Trump said.
Trump also wants to take better care of veterans in the U.S. and eliminate the Affordable Care Act.
“Your jobs will come back under a Trump administration, your incomes will go up under a Trump administration, your taxes will go way way down under a Trump administration,” Trump said. “Your companies won’t be leaving Colorado under a Trump administration.”
“We’re gonna have a real government of, by and for the people for the first time in a long time,” Trump said to end his speech. “You are going to be once again so proud of your country and hopefully you’ll be very, very proud of your president.”
Trump left the hanger and took off to Las Vegas, where the final presidential debate took place the next evening.
Law enforcement and first responders were at the event to ensure safety to all in attendance. There were a few instances where people had to be escorted out of the rally, and campaign staff were allowed to remove disorderly people out because it was a private event.
Kraig Andrews, the chairman of the Mesa County Republican Party was outside of the venue handing out stickers and making sure everyone in line was doing well, as well as examining how many people came out for the rally.
“We had estimated over five to 55 thousand inside the venue and another two to three thousand that we could not get in time,” Andrews said.
The rally lasted approximately an hour and a half.
