Democratic lawmakers, celebrities and others mocked President TrumpDonald John TrumpProtesters tear down, burn statue of Confederate general in DCUS attorney in NYC who spearheaded probes of Trump allies refuses to leave as DOJ pushes ousterTrump to host 4th of July event despite pleas from lawmakers to cancelMORE after attendance appeared to be less than expected at his Saturday campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla.
Reporters at the rally shared photos and video of the crowd at the BOK Center in Tulsa before Vice President Pence addressed supporters ahead of the president’s speech.
Inside the arena, there were empty spots on the floor and in the upper levels.
As others are reporting, looks like attendance here in Tulsa is well below campaign’s expectations. Here’s the main floor at the arena currently pic.twitter.com/EASfSHL5nN
Steadman (@AsteadWesley) June 20, 2020
Update: outdoor area has completely emptied out. pic.twitter.com/XS8M0IJRFc
Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) June 20, 2020
The Trump campaign in a statement blamed the attendance on media and protesters in the area surrounding the arena.
“President Trump is rallying in Tulsa with thousands of energetic supporters, a stark contrast to the sleepy campaign being run by Joe BidenJoe BidenSusan Rice calls Trump administration ‘racist to its core,’ says Senate backers belong in ‘trash heap of history’Trump mocks Biden event that practiced social distancingTrump to visit Arizona, Wisconsin next weekMORE from his basement in Delaware,” communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement.
“Sadly, protestors interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally.”
The Trump campaign said that it had received more than 1 million ticket requests ahead of the rally. The campaign also canceled planned addresses from the president and Pence at a separate stage outside the arena ahead of the rally.
Many were quick to take to social media to jab the president over the event’s attendance following images and video captured on the ground.
Rep Ted LieuTed W. LieuHouse panel advances police reform billTed Lieu responds to viral video: ‘Costco has a right to require that customers wear a mask’Bipartisan Senate group offers new help to state, local governmentsMORE (D-Calif.) tweeted ahead of the event, Why so many empty seats at the #TrumpsCoronavirusRally? A. Seeing @POTUS is not worth dying B. @realDonaldTrumps base shrank so much they cant even fill an arena in a red state C. Campaign lied about how many people got tickets D. Knives Out is now available on Amazon Prime.
Why so many empty seats at the #TrumpsCoronavirusRally?
A. Seeing @POTUS is not worth dying
B. @realDonaldTrumps base shrank so much they cant even fill an arena in a red state
C. Campaign lied about how many people got tickets
D. Knives Out is now available on Amazon Prime https://t.co/R7juOjiNXn
Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) June 21, 2020
Lieu also mocked the presidents campaign after it canceled plans for Trump and Pence to address supporters in an overflow space outside of the arena.
I believe the correct word would be underflow. The small number of people at the #TrumpTulsaRally has now become a big embarrassment for @realDonaldTrump.
I believe the correct word would be underflow.
The small number of people at the #TrumpTulsaRally has now become a big embarrassment for @realDonaldTrump . https://t.co/VH9Xe1MeoM
Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) June 20, 2020
Rhode Island Rep. David CicillineDavid Nicola CicillineAmazon’s Jeff Bezos open to testifying before Congress Pragmatic, incremental approach is the best way to reform antitrust lawExclusive investigation on the coronavirus pandemic: Where was Congress? MORE (D) joked that This is President Trumps Fyre Fest, referencing failed 2017 music festival.
This is President Trumps Fyre Fest. pic.twitter.com/USYQ6e94gM
David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) June 20, 2020
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), joked that, The last time I saw a crowd this small was Trumps Inauguration.
The last time I saw a crowd this small was Trumps Inauguration https://t.co/iTxRdgnvdv
US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) June 20, 2020
Former White House press secretary Sean SpicerSean Michael SpicerMelania Trump is ‘behind-the-scenes’ but ‘unbelievably influential’: bookEast Wing rips book saying Melania Trump renegotiated prenup before moving to White HouseFederal plan to contain Washington protests employs 7,600 personnel: reportMOREtold reporters in 2017 that Trump’s inauguration had “the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe.”
The assertion has been widely refuted.
Veteran journalist Dan Rather shared Paging Sean Spicer for a crowd estimate in Tulsa.
Paging Sean Spicer for a crowd estimate in Tulsa
Dan Rather (@DanRather) June 20, 2020
Former Sen. Claire McCaskillClaire Conner McCaskillMissouri county issues travel advisory for Lake of the Ozarks after Memorial Day partiesSenate faces protracted floor fight over judges amid pandemic safety concernsAmash on eyeing presidential bid: ‘Millions of Americans’ want someone other than Trump, Biden MORE (D-Missouri) called the Trump campaigns statement blaming protesters and the media complete and total bullshit and the Trump campaign version of dog ate my homework.
Complete and total bullshit. https://t.co/IRFZuXiIGL
Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) June 20, 2020
Of course. It was the peaceful protesters who scared off the Trump supporters. Right. Oh, and the scary media.
Trump campaign version of dog ate my homework.
Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) June 20, 2020
Others also jabbed the Trump campaign over the size of the crowd.
Musitican P!nk tweeted, “I think I sold that same place out in five minutes.”
I think I sold that same place out in five minutes. #donkeyshowpic.twitter.com/JNOwjIQ3hB
P!nk (@Pink) June 21, 2020
This Trump rally is like a scene from Spinal Tap…. All that is missing is a tiny sculpture of Stonehenge. https://t.co/hsnjmWqsYc
Meghan McCainMeghan Marguerite McCain’Defund the police’ movement hits semantics roadblockMeghan McCain slams Cuomo, de Blasio as ‘an utter disgrace’ following another night of unrest in NYCCrowds flock to Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks over Memorial Day weekend MORE (@MeghanMcCain) June 20, 2020
Mom always said never plan a party for people who wont come. https://t.co/FgU9qPGY3r
Connie Schultz (@ConnieSchultz) June 20, 2020
pic.twitter.com/7V6x9j8odY
Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) June 20, 2020
The decision to hold the Tulsa rally has been viewed by some as controversial amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus cases have spiked in Oklahoma in recent days, and the Trump campaign confirmed Saturday that six staffers who traveled to Tulsa ahead of the rally had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Tulsa’s health director last week voiced concerns about the rally, saying that the indoor event produces a “huge risk” and that he wished “we could postpone this to a time when the virus isnt as large a concern as it is today.
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