Waving Trump signs beneath Trump flags that snapped in brisk winds, hundreds of supporters of Donald Trump lined a Newtown Township street to greet the former president and 2024 candidate Saturday afternoon.
Trump, likely the GOP nominee in the November General Election, was hosted at the Newtown Athletic Club, where $2,500 got you in, but $25,000 for a photo-op with the ex-commander-in-chief could not be confirmed.
About 300 people were inside the NAC's Training Facility to hear the ex-prez speak, said Jim Worthington, the NAC's owner.
"He raised millions," he said.
The crowd was a mix.
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"Accountants, building contractors, lawyers and school teachers," Worthington said.
Trump spoke about the border, illegal immigration and price inflation under incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden.
“He (also) talked about how Putin would never have invaded Ukraine if he were president, because they would pay a price. He said the same thing about President Xi of China -- he would never invade Taiwan if (Trump) was president because there would be hell to pay," he said.
Trump may return to Bucks County in October for a public rally, but it's unlikely the NAC will host.
"He'd likely want to find a farm so thousands of people could come," he said.
Outside, about a dozen rally-goers interviewed cited one reason above others for supporting Trump: inflation. It’s killing their household budgets.
“Supermarket prices, that’s what different today,” said Brian Land of Warwick, when asked what had changed since Trump left office four years ago.
Also, they worry that college, cars and a house in the suburbs, classic symbols of the American Dream, are becoming unaffordable for middle-class people. Most identified themselves as working class or blue-collar middle-class families.
“I was making a lot more money under Trump than Biden,” said Matt Russo, of Langhorne. Russo, a union worker, was there with his girlfriend, Jessica Iannucci, and their five children.
“What I like about Trump is that he’s not a politician,” said Ianucci, an eight-year Marine veteran. For her, Trump is “relatable.” As for President Joe Biden? She sighed.
“Is he really the president?” she said, frustrated. “I mean, half the time it seems like he’s confused and doesn’t know where he is or what he’s supposed to say.”
Behind the line of street ralliers was Mike Domanico, who opened a Trump merchandise store in Bensalem in 2020. He parked a portable version on a nearby lawn.
Trump flags and any kind of hat — but especially the signature red “Make America Great Again” hat — are consistently top sellers, he said. Another top seller is Joe Biden toilet paper, bearing the president’s face.
“I keep selling out of these,” he said, pointing to a stack of rolls going quickly.
Audrey Strein, a conservative Republican who quickly organized the street rally with an email last week, said she doesn’t want the Trump campaign to give up on the 1st Congressional District in Bucks County, where Trump has lost twice.
“I wanted to show him that we have a ground game ready in Bucks County,” she said. She added that she has bumped heads with the county’s moderate GOP leadership, which is lukewarm on Trump.
“Our leadership told us (in 2020) that Bucks County is not Trump country,” she said, “but look around.”
Not all were there to cheer the former president.
Ann Perry of Morrisville, wearing a “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt, and holding a sign referring to Trump’s upcoming hush money trial with a p*rn actress, spoke two words to Trump supporters that made some cringe.
“Joe Biden,” she said to a group of ralliers. “They hate when you say his name.”
Another man, who wouldn't give his name, antagonized Trumpers by calling them cultists, and then engaged in rants so angry and vulgar that two police officers had to warn him twice to knock it off, since there were small children within earshot. It was the only tense moment of the afternoon. Otherwise, a happy crowd.
Trump’s flashing, motorcycle-led motorcade rolled in just before 3 p.m. The reaction from the crowd was that of die-hard fans of a rock star on a comeback tour.
Trump was due in Schnecksville in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, at 7 p.m. Saturday. The White House said President Biden will visit Scranton and Pittsburgh next week, prior to the April 23 primary election, cementing the importance of Pennsylvania in the November election even though the Pa. primary will have little impact on the nominees.
JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.
