A sea of red “Make America Great Again” hats filled the outdoor space on the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport Friday night.
A crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump — young, old, white, Black — surrounded by a few rows of bleachers and 22 American flags, including a 25-foot American flag hanging from construction equipment.
Some 4,000 people gathered on an overcast Friday night to show their support for the president.
As people started to arrive at the venue, vendors flocked on the side of the road, yelling toward the Trump supporters, trying to entice them to buy Trump paraphernalia.
You name them, they sell them: Make America Great Again red baseball caps, Trump/Pence buttons, Trump scarfs, Trump flags and even Trump face masks.
“Don’t be a Democrat, buy yourself a Trump hat,” yells another vendor.
One of those vendors Dee Felts and her husband Pete, came from Richmond to sell their Trump ware.
“We’re on the Trump train,” Dee Felts said, adding she was absolutely going to vote for Trump again.
She, like several Trump supporters, believes it’s God’s will that Trump won the presidency — and she said she believes Trump will win a second term.
“I kind of look at Trump as God’s CEO,” Dee Felts said.
Most of those who attended the rally didn’t wear face masks — and it appeared the venue was set up not accounting for social distancing.
Attendees were packed, shoulder to shoulder.
“He’s the best of the best, he does everything for this country,” said Kwon Anninos, a senior citizen from Yorktown, wearing a Trump hat and a face mask. “We had to respect that and let him do the job.”
“I’ve see a lot of presidents, but not like him.”
Another woman from Newport News with a pink Women for Trump hat wanted to be at the rally to support the president.
“He has kept his promise,” she said through her mask. “He has done everything he said he was going to do.”
John Riggins, another local from Seaford, was hopeful Trump would win another election, adding “that would be awesome.”
“He does what he says he’s going to do,” Riggins said.
While he was wearing a face mask, Riggins was concerned about the coronavirus but just like other Trump supporters, did not social distance in the crowd.
Cheers and chants of “four more years” were plentiful, as attendees waved their MAGA hats.
The playlist ranged from Queen’s “We are the Champions” and The Village People’s “Macho Man” to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.”
The crowd seemed to enjoy the entertainment with some dancing to the tunes.
The rally kicked off with a prayer.
Republican Scott Taylor, who is running for Rep. Elaine Luria’s seat, spoke about the military and sacrifice for the county.
“I love the smell of America in the morning,” Taylor said.
After he spoke, there was an intermission of sorts, where music continued to play.
Vice President Mike Pence arrived in a limo and walked up to the podium amid cheers.
He spoke about Trump’s accomplishments amid cheers of “4 More Years” and “Fill that Seat.” The crowd held up signs that said “Veterans for Trump,” “Make America Great Again,” “4 More Years” and “Women for Trump.”
“It is great to be back in the Old Dominion state,” Pence said. “I’m here for one reason some reason only is that Virginia and America needs four more years of President Trump in the White House.”
He promised Trump would “back the blue” and said “burning businesses is not free speech” and definitely not a form of peaceful protest. Pence spoke about building a 300-mile fence on the southern border while the crowd chanted “build that wall.”
“Oh, we’re building it,” Pence said.
He waved to the crowd as he left the podium and even fist-pumped while Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody started to play.
Air Force One arrived behind the podium and the stage in front of the crowd as the people fell silent, holding up their cellphones, trying to get a glimpse of Trump.
Trump emerged to the background music, “I’m Proud to be An American.”
“This is the most important election in our history,” Trump said, adding he knew Newport News well.
He spoke for an hour.
He talked to the crowd about Gov. Ralph Northam and “sleepy Joe Biden” Trump said Biden would take away citizens’ 2nd Amendment Rights.
“You have a crazy governor,” Trump said. “You have a governor who thinks he’s Michael Jackson.”
National Anthem sang by Cathy Williams. #Trump pic.twitter.com/B0XAnkhI6t
— WYDaily (@WYDaily) September 25, 2020
He added Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, is “no Mike Pence.”
Trump added he would announce his nominee for the Supreme Court Saturday at 5 p.m. on the White House Lawn.
“The only thing I can tell you is that it will be a woman,” the president hinted.
Later he told the crowd, “everything we do, we are putting America first.”
“We’ve achieved more in 47 months than Joe Biden has achieved in 47 years,” Trump said, just before he left the podium with the song YMCA playing in the background.
“I love you people…I think we’re going to win, I think we’re going to win big.”
Crowd dances to "YMCA" as rally wraps up. #Trump #localnews #NewportNews pic.twitter.com/8R4MzHdeSn
— WYDaily (@WYDaily) September 26, 2020
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