Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump returns to Pennsylvania Wednesday for his first event in the commonwealth since the attempt on his life in Butler County. The former president was scheduled to speak to supporters at New Holland Arena in Harrisburg at approximately 6 p.m.
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Trump rally in Harrisburg ends
Trump ended his 90-minute speech at 8:32 p.m., acknowledging the crowd as he departed and Sam & Dave's "Hold On I'm Comin'" played in the arena.
Rhetoric after the Butler shooting
Referencing the shooting in Butler, Trump said people thought he would be nicer afterward.
"I really agreed for about eight hours or so. And then I realized they were trying to put me in jail for nothing at all," he added in regard to his criminal convictions.
More:Pa. politicians call for cooling rhetoric after shooting. But few make promises.
Trump has taken the stage at 7:02 p.m.
Trump arrived on stage an hour behind schedule, then received a loud welcome from the friendly confines of the packed arena.
Among his opening words to the audience once the “USA” chants died down: “I should not be here today.”
Trump went on to recognize the victims shot at his rally in Butler earlier this month and thank the medical personnel in Butler County.
Later, regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump said she was "installed (as) a puppet candidate" to replace President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket after his poor debate performance.
"It's not about him or her. It's about the policies, and they're horrible," Trump said.
Watch the rally:
Supporters wait in Harrisburg heat
Thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump descended on the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Wednesday for his evening campaign rally, filling its parking lots to capacity, suffering in high midday heat and looking forward to Trump's first appearance in Pennsylvania since the assassination attempt July 13 in Butler County.
More from USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania reporter Daniel Larlham.
Trump will speak hours after NABJ convention Q&A
Trump is flying to the Harrisburg rally after participating earlier Wednesday in a Q&A in Chicago during the theNational Association of Black Journalistsannual convention. USA TODAY reported that Trump took swipes at Vice President Kamala Harris's racial identity.
"I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," Trump said of Harris, who ison trackto face Trump as the Democratic presidential nominee. “Is she Indian or is she Black? Because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went she became a Black person.”
More:Vice President Kamala Harris tells Trump to 'say it to my face!' at Atlanta rally
McCormick hits Harris on gun control
GOP Senate hopeful Dave McCormick used much of his podium time to emphasize his Pennsylvania roots and to tie his opponent to Harris.
McCormick said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., deserves blame with President Job Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for advancing government spending that's increased the rate of inflation. He criticized Harris in particular for progressive views on gun control.
"That may work in California, but that doesn't work in Pennsylvania," McCormick said to the approving crowd.
Rep. Scott Perry: 'They're coming for us'
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., ripped the Democratic administration in Washington, D.C., for border policies, COVID-19 response and its execution of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Perry was among the Trump allies implicated in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He told the crowd,"They're coming for us, so we have our work to do."
"My question for you is, have you had enough?" Perry asked the roaring audience.
More:Janelle Stelson to face off against Rep. Scott Perry in 10th Congressional District race
Rep. Thompson: Rise above party politics
U.S. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., said Pennsylvania voters have risen above party politics in the past. He told the crowd he expects them to do the same this year by electing Trump, despite Democrats' shrinking voter registration advantage.
Agenda47 on crime:Trump proposes death-penalty for drug dealers, requiring stop and frisk
Smucker takes shot at Shapiro
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster, followed shortly after Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa.
Smucker criticized Harris for her anti-fracking policies. He mocked Shapiro’s “Get s--- done” slogan, saying Shapiro’s more interested in being vice president than governing Pennsylvania.
Rep. Meuser: 'We will keep up the faith'
Following prayer and a singing of the national anthem and "God Bless America," U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., took the stage as the first speaker. He quickly referenced the shots at Trump in Butler.
"When he rose, we all rose and America rose," Meuser said.
"We will keep up the faith, yes. But we will keep up the fight."
Meuser also accused Harris of assisting in a cover-up of Biden's mental decline before Biden left the race.
Trump heading to turf of potential VP rival Shapiro
The site of Trump's rally in central Pennsylvania may carry additional weight because it's practically within earshot of the state Capitol and governor's residence along the Susquehanna River just a mile away.
Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has been a rumored running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris since President Joe Biden announced the end of his candidacy 10 days ago. Overseas oddsmakers have consistently labeled Shapiro a favorite as Harris's pick for vice president.
State police: Farm Show parking lots full
Pennsylvania state police issued a news release that the Farm Show parking lots are full.
"Avoid the area. There will be major traffic delays," read the release.
Heat affects some attendees
Heat index
Some people waiting to enter the arena appear to be succumbing to the 91-degree heat and are being attended to by paramedics, with at least one person taken to the back of an ambulance.
Some people were standing in front of a large industrial fan and others were sitting under a small hose attached to a step ladder to stay cool.
Harrisburg City Spokesperson Matt Maisel said, "About 40 people were treated on site (waiting for the Trump rally) for heat-related issues. No one thankfully had to be taken to the hospital. They are all in good to fair condition."
'How did we lose the election?'
JoEllen Holler, 54, of Denver, Pa., said she’s supporting Trump because he represents her personal values: being against abortion and in favor of making America great again and less divided.
“I wanted to be a part of a revolution, and I believe that’s what the rest of the people here are doing. We’re being a part of a revolution. We want change.”
While it was her first rally, she said she wasn’t surprised by the number of supporters who came out, looking toward the long line that had formed outside the event.
“What I am surprised at is if the crowd is this big, and was this big years ago, how did we lose the election? That’s what I’m surprised about.”
Be proud of country
Tony Ondrusek, 62, drove about two hours from Parkville, Maryland, to see Trump speak, something that was on his bucket list.
“He espouses the ideals that I truly believe make America great. He really believes that America is a great nation, and we are a great nation. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of to say that.”
He believes that some policies that have been implemented in the past four years are a detriment to the country, particularly foreign policy,and that there are some who make others feel they can’t be proud of their American heritage.
“That meansfor everybody who’s an American. Black, white, brown, yellow, gay, straight, trans; I don’t care. We’re all one people, we’re a great country.”
Trump recording: Vote by mail
With red-clad supporters beginning to fill in the seats, Trump greeted them via pre-recorded video message, ironically urging them to vote by mail.
For years the former president has been critical of mail-in ballots, claiming without evidence that they contributed to widespread fraud that cost him the 2020 election. His reversal on the subject echoes an about-face from other Republican-affiliated groups now urging conservatives to embrace early voting.
Unfinished business for Trump
As the crowd gathered at the Farm Show complex, Joe Mandara, 58, of Wrightsville, said this won't be his first time seeing the former president speak. He attended the NRA conference in February.
“Patriotism, democracy, there’s none right now,” he said. “The way the last three and a half years have gone, I mean, if you look, most people will not vote policy, they vote character, and that is a shame.”
He added he wasn’t surprised that Trump had returned to Pennsylvania so soon after the incident in Butler County, nor did he have any concerns about attending the event.
“He didn’t finish that rally; in his mind, he didn’t finish that rally. So he wants to go back and finish it,” Mandara said. “Just like you would go to a concert and get rained out. Your ticket would be good for another concert."
Trump's return to Pennsylvania
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump returns to Pennsylvania Wednesday for his first event in the commonwealth since the attempt on his life in Butler.
The former president, along with GOP Senate hopeful Dave McCormick, is set to speak to supporters at New Holland Arena in Harrisburg at approximately 6 p.m. Wednesday. It's his first rally in Pennsylvania since officially securing his party's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
On July 13 in Butler, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots from a rooftop toward Trump, killing one man and injuring others, including the former president.
Crooks was shot dead by event security. Law enforcement has not yet revealed the killer's motive.
What is not allowed at the Trump rally?
Screeners at the rally reserve the right to block the entry of anything deemed to be a security threat, according to the Trump campaign. The following items are expressly prohibited:
- Aerosols
- Alcoholic beverages
- Balloons
- Balls
- Banners, signs, placards
- Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
- E-cigarettes
- Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
- Firearms
- Glass, thermal and metal containers
- Laser lights and laser pointers
- Mace and pepper spray
- Noisemakers, such as air horns, whistles, drums, bullhorns, etc.
- Packages
- Spray containers
- Structures
- Supports for signs or placards
- Weapons
Where is Trump's Harrisburg rally taking place?
The Trump rally is indoors at New Holland Arena, part of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.
Is there Wi-Fi at the Trump rally in Harrisburg?
The Trump campaign has stated that Wi-Fi access will not be provided at this event.
Where has Trump held rallies since the July 13 shooting?
The Trump campaign held a rally July 21 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and on Saturday in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He also appeared at the Bitcoin conference in Nashville, Tennesse, where he pledged to create the nation's first strategic Bitcoin stockpile if elected.
Polling: Americans want civilityPa. politicians call for cooling rhetoric after shooting. But few make promises.
Labor leaders plan counter-rally in Steelton
Trump rallies attract his most fervent supporters, but they also create opportunities for opponents.
On Wednesday, labor leaders from the AFL-CIO, Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council and other organizations planned a separate news conference in Steelton, just outside of Harrisburg. They said the event is to spotlight Trump's record of "undermining unions" and air concerns about workers' rights under a possible second Trump term.
Bruce Siwy is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Pennsylvania state capital bureau. He can be reached at bsiwy@gannett.com or on X at @BruceSiwy.
