GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WJRT) – Thousands decended on Grand Rapids Saturday to see former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.
The event marks their first public rally together since Vance was picked at the Republican National Convention earlier this week.
“I’ve had such an incredible, a blessed week. What a what a cool thing it was to be asked by President Trump to service as his running mate and to get out there on the campaign trail,” Vance told supporters inside a packed Van Andrel Arena.
The event also comes just one week after the assasination attempt on the former president.
“Last week I took a bullet for democracy,” Trump said.
Supporters who came out to see him say it was in the back of their minds, but it wasn’t going to deter them from seeing the former president.
“Waiting in line there we actually saw people, security, looking down on us,” said Phillip Lange of Gaines Township.
He wasn’t the only person who noticed the extra security.
“Even like seeing the snipers up on the roof it kind of sends a couple of chills up my spine. It was intimidating for sure,” said Nancy Stellini of Grand Rapids.
Supporters waited in line for hours to see the former President. At 1 p.m. – 4 hours before the event – the line stretched over one and a half miles long.
“Lucky that the weather is nice, but rain or shine we would be here,” said Meghann Tuit of Hudsonville.
Every voter ABC12 spoke with said waiting in the line was worth it for the opportunity to see Trump. Many just wanted to see him speak in person, but some wanted to hear his policies.
“I love the fact that he is focusing on Michigan’s auto industry. That needs to be done. Biden really messed it up,” said Karla Lange of Gaines Township.
During the speech, Trump claimed that he more in four years for Michigan autoworkers and manufacturers than any other president in history.
The rally comes as there are questions floating around President Joe Biden,and many Democrats are calling on him to drop out of the race.
At one point in the rally, Trump asked the crowd if they would rather see him face the current president or his Vice President, Kamala Harris. They cheered louder for Biden.
But those ABC12 spoke to say it doesn’t matter who Trump faces in November.
“Donald Trump has already shown me everything I need to see to prove that he is the person fit for office,” said Evan Rose of Montrose.