Thousands gather in Anchorage for Trump rally

Jul. 10—Expand

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People gather ahead of a rally where former President Donald Trump was expected to speak in support of U.S. House candidate Sarah Palin, U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka and Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Thousands lined up outside the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday to get a chance to see former President Donald Trump speak at a rally in support of Republican candidates for office.

Trump is in Alaska to campaign and raise money for U.S. House candidate Sarah Palin and U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka, who is running against Republican incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Trump has also given a conditional endorsement to Gov. Mike Dunleavy — who is running for re-election — as long as Dunleavy doesn't support Murkowski.

Rallygoers began lining up in the early hours Saturday. Music, food trucks and vendors selling Trump merchandise lent the event an air of a festival rather than a political rally, and several attendees said they had arrived to see Trump rather than to support the Alaska candidates.

Many dismissed evidence that has emerged in recent weeks indicating that Trump knew his supporters were armed ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Several also repeated debunked claims questioning the validity of the 2020 presidential election.

The rally is scheduled to last for hours starting in the early afternoon, with Trump speaking after 4 p.m.

The rally drew prominent Republican state lawmakers — including House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton of Wasilla and Reps. Kevin McCabe of Big Lake and Sarah Vance of Homer — along with local officials, such as Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and Anchorage Public Library deputy director Judy Norton Eledge.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.