Playlist: Scenes from Donald Trump rally in Jacksonville, August 2016. Videos by Berit Ollestad
By Berit Ollestad
Donald Trump flogged a familiar theme this week, singling out a journalist–NBC’s Katy Tur–for derision at a campaign rally.
Being hectored by thousands of riled-up Trump fans is scary, to say the least. I know. I experienced it first-hand in Jacksonville, FL, on a scorching day in August.
Whether you love Trump or despise him, there’s no denying he is a fascinating entertainer and a unique phenomenon in American politics.
Curious about why so many people flock to a man whose incendiary comments would sink any other candidate, I jumped at the chance to cover this rally, changing my flight plans to spend an extra day in the Sunshine State.
Within a few hundred feet of Veterans Memorial Arena, it became evident that this was going to be a memorable event. The energy was palpable, suggesting a religious revival.
Many in the sea of camouflage and American flags had simmered for hours in 95-degree heat hoping to glimpse their hero. Some said Trump had given them a voice for the first time.
“We’re tired of the political correctness and people talking about how they’re going to improve the country, and then once we elect them nothing changes,” said Darrell Turner, who drove over an hour from Brunswick, GA.
Tim Engles of Charlotte, N.C. said “Trump is something different. We’re tired of the same old —-. He’s even fighting within his own party. We love that!”
Another supporter said Trump would have an advantage in foreign policy matters, because he owns properties around the world.
One woman near the arena entrance was selling Confederate flags adorned with Trump’s name and 2016. If I purchased one, the vendor said, “Mr. Trump will gladly autograph it after the rally.”
She had stockpiled 400 of them at the beginning of the campaign and now only a handful remained.
The thought of owning a Confederate flag autographed by a potential president was too outrageous to pass up.
I forked over my $30.
The Rebel colors were no problem. But my Diet Coke and Poland Springs bottles were. Only “Trump Water” was permitted into the arena media area, I was informed.
“There are some things about Trump that I disagree with. But he’s still my guy,” said Elaine Conley of Orange Park, FL.
I never had tasted “freedom in a bottle” before. I purchased two Trump Waters and headed inside.
A Trump spokesperson alerted the crowd that since Mr. Trump was hosting this large gala himself, he would not tolerate any rude and disruptive individuals at his event.
Therefore, the audience was instructed to surround protesters, place campaign signs high in the air, and loudly chant Trump! Trump! Trump! Security then would kindly escort these individuals from the arena.
[See video 3 in playlist above.]
“He’s not politically correct. He says what everyone else is thinking. He doesn’t even need this job. I’ll take someone who doesn’t have a filter over someone who lies any day,” said Cade Hoekwater, a Brunswick, GA, resident who at 16 only can cheer this time around.
‘THEY ARE REALLY BAD PEOPLE’
We in the media were corralled into an enclosure in the center of the arena; to venture from the pen would invite expulsion from the building.
“Oh, this is beautiful, what a crowd this is!” Trump began. “I wish the press would report the crowd like it is. There are thousands of people outside that can’t get in.”
Emphasizing that he would be a president without precedent, he declared:
“We’re going to have an amazing thing happen in November! However, our biggest obstacle is the press. They are so dishonest.
“Honestly, they’re all really bad. These are really bad people. The New York Times is really disgusting. The good news is they are failing and they’ll be out of business in a few years.”
Trump kept coming back to his unfair treatment by the media. The crowd responded. Many of us started to feel uneasy and nervous; it appeared that the rowdier the audience became, the more the candidate tried to instigate it.
He brought up the Purple Heart controversy as yet another example of how the media twisted the story into something ugly. Veterans groups had criticized his acceptance of a veteran’s combat medal; Katy Tur tweeted that the medal was a replica.
The reality TV star who has demeaned women, blacks, Mexicans, Muslims and the disabled cried foul.
“They [journalists] never fail to cheapen things,” Trump said. “You know they cover me constantly, story after story after story. I mean mostly bad. The media should be grateful I’m running. They’d be so bored if they only had Hillary to cover.”
Giddily, Trump predicted a string of victories starting on Nov. 8.
“We are going to knock the hell out of ISIS. We are going to win on trade. We are going to win at the border. We are gonna be smart. If people rip us off they are going to suffer the consequences. It’s not gonna happen anymore!
“Folks, we are gonna win so much, you’re gonna get sick and tired of winning. Your gonna beg me, you’re gonna say, Mr. President, Sir, please please we can’t take it. We’re winning so much. We don’t want to win this much in Jacksonville. We liked things the way they were…”
Then he turned solemn.
“We’re gonna win again, folks. You’re gonna be so proud of your country and your president. We’re going to put America first. We’re going to make our country great again!”
The crowd exploded.
Only after Trump exited the arena were the media allowed to leave. Trump likes to stay and sign autographs at the side of the stage. But it was clear he wanted to keep the press as far away as possible, and not risk having to answer any pesky questions.
So now I’m stuck with this unsigned Dixie flag.
Wonder if Mike Pence is speaking around here over the next couple of days?
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‘Tump will defend the First Amendment’
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Gun interview at Trump rally
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Protester removed from Trump rally
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Trump cites backing by NRA, evangelicals
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Trump: ‘We’re always losing …we’re going to win again, folks’
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Jax arena, Trump rally
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Crowd awaits Trump arrival in Jacksonville
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View from the media pen at Trump rally
Would anyone have ever heard about Trump if the media hadn’t given every outrageous thing he said so much free publicity. I hope the people tell Trump tomorrow , “YOU’RE FIRED”