Former President Donald Trump hosted another “Save America” themed rally on Saturday, October 9. This one took place in Des Moines, Iowa. Read on to learn more about how many people attended Trump’s Iowa rally.
Trump’s rally took place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. His speech was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Central but it started about 40 minutes late. The rally itself began at 2 p.m. Fox News reported that a big part of this rally would involve supporting candidates in the 2022 midterm elections. Ashley Hinson, Sen. Chuck Grassley, and Gov. Kim Reynolds also shared the stage with Trump, CBS 2 reported.
About 20,000 Trump Supporters Attended the Rally, According to Local Media
GettyGuests arrive for a rally with former President Donald Trump at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on October 9, 2021.
David Amelotti of Iowa News Now reported on Twitter that thousands of Trump supporters were standing in line, waiting to get through the gates as they opened.
Thousands of Trump supporters stand in line. A select few gets a large crowd to start singing the national anthem. The gates have just opened. @iowasnewsnow
Amelotti later estimated that about 20,000 Trump supporters were attending the rally.
The sunset over Des Moines, Iowa as 20,000 Trump supporters sing Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind.” @iowasnewsnow
He did say that event staff wouldn’t comment on how many attended, but he was hearing estimates of as many as 20,000.
Event staff will not comment on attendance numbers. I’ve heard some estimates as many as 20,000 people are in Des Moines to hear Donald Trump speak. It’s 6:29 and people continue to pour in. Trump is supposed to speak at 7 PM. @iowasnewsnow
Trump wrote in an email before the rally: “Iowa is absolutely critical to our efforts to take back the House and Senate in 2022, and then the White House in 2024.”
GettyFormer President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Des Moines Register reported that their latest Iowa poll showed 53% of people had favorable feelings toward Trump, with 91% of local Republicans feeling favorable toward him.
This is the crowd behind the press area.
This was Trump’s first time in Iowa since the presidential election, KCCI reported. Before the rally began, early attendees watched the Iowa vs. Penn State football game on screens set up at the venue.
GettyGuests attend a rally with former President Donald Trump, including a person wearing a “Media is the enemy of the people” shirt.
Amelotti shared that at one point during the rally, Trump had the attendees turn around and yell “fake news!” at the press in attendance. He said it was unsettling, especially considering that they were invited to attend.
When a former President has 20,000 people turn to you and shout, “Fake news,” it’s unsettling. We were invited to cover this event.
Trump’s speech started about 40 minutes late.
Donald Trump had arrived in Iowa. 40 minutes later than scheduled.
While Trump has not announced if he’s running in 2024 or not, C-SPAN labeled its coverage of Trump’s rally as “Campaign 2024,” MSN reported.
This caused some criticism from people online who said the label was misleading since he hadn’t actually announced yet if he was going to be in the 2024 race.
Trump Rally opens its doors in Iowa
Christina Bobb of conservative outlet Newsmax shared the video above showing the crowd before Trump arrived.
Trump endorsed Sen. Grassley tonight. Earlier today some Iowans booed the senior senator when he addressed the crowd.
Trump endorsed Sen. Grassley during his speech.
Trump Has Held Multiple Rallies Since August
GettyFormer President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on October 9, 2021.
In August, Trump held two other rallies. One was in Wellington, Ohio, and the other was in Cullman, Alabama.
GettyFormer President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on October 9, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Trump held a September rally in Georgia. He also held a rally in Georgia on January 5, 2021. It was his first official rally of 2021 and took place at the Dalton Regional Airport.
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