Hundreds of people gathered outside J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, early Monday morning for former President Donald Trump’s final rally in the state before Election Day. Doors opened at 7 a.m., but the first attendees began arriving at 3 a.m., some having traveled for hours to secure a good seat.
Among them were Pat Ammerman and Shirley Smedley-Theiss, who both attended Trump’s 2016 rally in Raleigh just before the last presidential election. Smedley-Theiss described the atmosphere at Trump’s rallies as energetic, likening it to the excitement of a football game. “It’s bigger than even the Super Bowl,” she said.
Many rally-goers had already cast their ballots but came to hear Trump speak and experience the rally firsthand. “We’ve heard the same message, but the enthusiasm of the crowd is what brings us back,” Smedley-Theiss added.
Focus on Immigration and Crime
Trump’s speech centered largely on immigration, with a campaign video showing personal stories of crime linked to immigrants. “They’ve let 21 million people into our country,” Trump said, referencing figures from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report. He highlighted the number of people convicted of homicide and other serious crimes, although these statistics span several years, including during his own presidency.
Despite the focus on immigration, Trump frequently shifted topics throughout his speech. He discussed the women of North Carolina, criticized China’s trade practices, and praised private space exploration, drawing loud cheers when mentioning SpaceX’s recent success. “Those two big arms – they grabbed that thing like you grab a beautiful baby,” Trump remarked, referencing the landing of SpaceX’s Starship.
Confidence Ahead of Election
Trump expressed optimism about his chances in North Carolina, noting that he had never lost an election in the state. He also referenced crowd size, which he often uses as a measure of success, comparing the turnout in Raleigh to his recent rally in Milwaukee. “We could have filled that arena three or four times,” he said, referring to the large number of people outside the venue.
While Dorton Arena holds about 7,500 people, it appeared half-full at the start of Trump’s speech.
Support from Political Allies
Other political figures, including Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and U.S. Representative Dan Bishop, also spoke at the rally. Trump Jr. warned of the consequences if Vice President Kamala Harris were to win the election. “Whatever you would do if you woke up on November 6 and Kamala Harris was president-elect, do it now,” he said.
Messages on the Economy and Immigration
Several attendees expressed strong support for Trump’s positions on the economy and immigration. Christopher Holtz, who traveled from Wilmington, North Carolina, said he admired Trump’s protection of American citizens. “The American Dream attracts those who are willing to work and earn the right to be called an American citizen,” Holtz said. “If we cheapen that, it devalues what it means to be an American.”
Trump’s final rally in North Carolina capped off a day of high-energy campaigning ahead of Election Day, with supporters energized by his message and confident in their candidate’s chances.
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