Trump’s son makes Grand Junction visit

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Donald Trump Jr. speaks before a crowd of supporters at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Joshua Vorse | Criterion
Donald Trump Jr. speaks before a crowd of supporters at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Joshua Vorse | Criterion

 

by Joshua Matthews

On the evening of Thursday, Sept. 22, Donald Trump Jr. promoted his father’s presidential campaign at the Mesa County fairgrounds. A crowd of about 700 gathered to listen, many of whom were the elder Donald Trump’s supporters.

The event was organized by Colorado Sportsmen “Make America Great,” a Trump advocacy group who believe that his policies will both preserve U.S. parks while allowing natural resources to be utilized.

Spectators chanted back and forth pro-Trump messages, embracing and chanting Hillary Clinton’s recent remarks of calling Trump supporters “a basket of deplorables.” The chanting died off when opening speaker, Colorado state Sen. Ray Scott, took the stage.

“This is an election for all time,” Scott said. Following Scott’s introduction was an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem. Mark Geist, a survivor of Benghazi attack and Colorado native, promoted the elder Donald Trump’s candidacy before the younger Trump was welcomed on stage.

The younger Trump began with explaining his connection to the state of Colorado.

“I was the first graduate of the Wharton School of Finance, where my father went to business school, to move to Colorado to be a bartender.” The younger Trump said. You can imagine how that conversation went. That was one of the more awkward moments of my life. But, I did it because I love the great outdoors, I love being out here. I’m an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, competitive shooter and I love everything that the West has to offer.”

The younger Trump condemned the handling of Benghazi attacks by the Obama administration as well as current economic policies.

“The hard-working men and women of this country who’ve been left in the dust, the people who’ve been forgotten, the people who haven’t had a voice in a long period of time, you know what, they knew that we had a chance.” the younger Trump said. “They’ve been watching us, and following us, and helping us along the way and it’s been incredible. So much so, that just this week alone, I was told that we broke the all-time record for the Republican party in small dollar donations.”

After criticizing the Obama Administration and promoting his father, the younger Trump focused his attention on America’s current handling of natural resources and the outdoors.

“We have to utilize our natural resources rather than being beholden and dependent on countries that can’t stand us, simply because they make large contributions to foundations somewhere. I don’t get it. We’re sick of seeing the American people sold-out.”