Replay: Live coverage of Donald Trump's rally Saturday at Erie Insurance Arena
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Former President Donald Trump put on a rally at Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday. The Erie Times-News provided live coverage throughout the day event:
What did Trump speak about?
Former President Donald J. Trump told supporters Saturday that the bellwether county is a "Trump stronghold," despite losing here in 2020, and that it will be key again in delivering him the GOP nomination for president in 2024 and to his efforts to unseat President Joe Biden.
Erie rally: Trump addresses immigration, attacks Biden and calls criminal probes 'election interference'
7:41 p.m. Trump exits the stage, rally concludes with applause
After almost two hours of speaking, Donald Trump leaves the stage to applause, waving and smiling at supporters.
7:00 p.m. Trump invites Meuser, Kelly and Keller to the stage
Trump invites Dan Meuser, Mike Kelly and Fred Keller to the stage, calling them "real warriors" and "incredible people." Kelly addressed the crowd, stating it is Trump country and Trump nation to large applause. Meuser called on the crowd to make America and the world great again by electing Trump as president.
6:44 p.m.: 'We're doing great' in the polls
Trump tells the crowd that he is leading the GOP presidential field, in various polls, by huge margins. He expects it to stay that way.
6:23 p.m.: Trump confident he can win in 2024
Trump told the audience — which drew big applause — "When this battle is over, I'll be back in the White House."
6:04 p.m.: Trump takes the stage, promises to save economy if elected
Donald Trump began addressing the crowd just after 6 p.m. His opening remarks included that, if elected, he will save the economy and purge the deep state.
4:25 p.m.: Carla Sands speaks, says 2020 election was rigged
Former Trump Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands is pushing 2020 election theft conspiracies: "You might even say it was rigged," she said, questioning how Joe Biden could receive 15 million more votes that Barack Obama, ignoring increases in both turnout as a percentage of the voting-age population and a raw increase in the voting-age population between 2008 and 2020.
Sands adds, "We're going to beat them at their own game" in 2024.
4:10 p.m.: Trump campaign video plays before speakers begin
A Trump campaign video plays from the jumbotron, with a reference to "Joe Biden's America" spurring a chorus of boos. Jason Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town" music video followed the video.
4 p.m.: Crowd dances ahead of rally starting
The crowd is becoming more animated. Several members of the crowd made a conga line around the arena floor, dancing to Michael Jackson "Can't Stop Till You Get Enough" and singing "MAGA" to the beat.
3:01 p.m.: Rally playlist includes Elton John, Queen and more
What's the soundtrack for a Trump rally? The musical selection has so far included songs ranging from classic rock and pop to modern country hits. Elton John's "Rocket Man" could be heard over the airwaves, other selections included "We Are the Champions" by Queen, "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, and "That's My Kind of Night" by Luke Bryan. Other choices included "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine Dion and Whitney Huston's "Higher Love."
3 p.m.: Arena floor seats almost full, some empty seats remain in the stands
An hour away from the first scheduled speaker and seats on the arena floor are virtually all full. Several empty seats remain in the stands.
1:38 p.m. : Spectators ready to attend Trump rally
The scene outside Erie Insurance Arena was full of spectators ready to see Trump, with cheers erupting from those waiting to enter the facility. Attendees were upbeat and enthusiastic. There was virtually no Trump opposition to be seen anywhere in the immediate vicinity of the arena. Chants of "Joe's Gotta Go" along with "USA" were popular with the crowd.
There were a bevy of vendors outside, selling Trump merchandise including hats, T-shirts, buttons and other items. At least a dozen vendors were working the area between East 7th and East 10th streets along French.
What was downtown Erie like before the rally began?
Edward Young believes in Donald Trump’s political comeback.
So much so that Young plans to watch it play out in person whenever he can.
Earlier reporting
Former President Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally Saturday at Erie Insurance Arena.
Trump heads to Erie after special council Jack Smith announced new charges against him that include an allegation Trump sought to delete surveillance video. A second Trump aide was also indicted for obstruction of justice.
Why is Trump returning to Erie?
Erie County Republican Committee Chair Tom Eddy is well aware of his community's historic role as a crystal ball.
"I look at Erie County as a microcosm of the entire state," he said, citing its diverse economy and demographics. "We mimic the entire state in a very small geographic area."
Can't attend the rally in Erie? Here's where you can watch it online
For anyone unable to attend former President Donald Trump's rally Saturday at the Erie Insurance Arena, there are multiple websites which will stream the event for the public to watch online. Local news stations will also be broadcasting the event.
Going to Trump's rally on Saturday? Here's where you can park
There are various downtown Erie parking options available Saturday for those planning to attend former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally at Erie Insurance Arena and other nearby events.
Kelly among speakers slated for Donald Trump's Erie rally
Donald Trump, the former president who's seeking a second term in 2024, is the main act for Saturday's rally at Erie Insurance Arena, but at least five other people will take the stage and address the crowd beforehand.
Starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, two hours before Trump is set to speak, a group of current and former elected and appointed officials will address supporters. Here's who's opening for Trump.
Weather forecast during the Trump rally in Erie
Those waiting in line to enter the arena might have to deal with some rain.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 3 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 79. The chance of rain? 100%, according to the weather service.
Find the latest forecast update and radar images from AccuWeather at GoErie.com/weather.
What attendees can take to the Trump rally in Erie
A number of items will not be allowed inside Erie Insurance Arena.
These include firearms or weapons of any kind, including pocket knives; selfie sticks; coolers; or bags larger than a clutch, to include camera bags, backpacks, briefcases or computer bags.
Erie Events Executive Director Gus Pine said the U.S. Secret Service will be the main security force at the rally. Arena security will augment them inside, outside and on the arena parking ramp.
"The most important thing is no bags," Pine said. "People will be asked to either throw them away or take them back to their vehicles. So to save time: no bags."
Here's the full list of prohibited items: Weapons, bags and selfie sticks prohibited at Trump rally in Erie
Donald Trump's most recent Erie appearance
Donald Trump last made a public stop in Erie in October 2020, on the eve of the election.
Thousands of people turned out to hear him speak for an hour at Erie International Airport.
What other presidents have been to Erie?
When then-President Trump held a rally in Erie in 2018, the Times-News took a look at 10 other times presidents had visited the area. It's not a comprehensive list but it is impressive:
Add Joe Biden. He visited in October 2020, weeks before winning Erie County, Pennsylvania and the presidency.
Key dates in Pennsylvania's 2023 election cycle
Aug. 1: Last day to for candidates to circulate and file nomination papers.
Aug. 8: Last day to file objections to nomination papers, and last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated by nomination papers.
Aug. 14: Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated at the primary.
Oct. 23: Last day to register to vote before the November election.
Oct. 31: Last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot.
Nov. 7: Municipal election. Last day for county boards of elections to receive voted mail-in and civilian absentee ballots (must be received by 8 p.m.).
Nov. 8: First day to register after November election.
Nov. 14: Last day for county boards of elections to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 p.m. Nov. 6).
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Donald Trump rally at Erie Insurance Arena
