The first official rally of the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance was held on Saturday in Grand Rapids.
The crowd filled the arena to full capacity of over 12,000 people, including thousands who were reportedly stuck outside without a seat.
Various local, state, and national representatives were brought up to speak first shortly after 3:00, including Chair of the Michigan Republican Party Pete Hoekstra, 1st District Congressional Representative Jack Bergman, 4th District Congressional Representative Bill Huizenga, 5th District Congressional Representative Tim Walberg, and 7th District Congressional Candidate Tom Barrett.
While their speeches had different perspectives, they all stressed one message: the party must win Michigan.
“The road to the White House runs through Michigan,” Huizenga said.
Bill Huizenga speaks to a large crowd at Van Andel Arena on Saturday, July 20. (Credit to Big Rapids Media)
Vance spoke shortly after for approximately 15 minutes, including topics like his discourse with Kamala Harris, security and drug traffic at the border, and how he wants to provide a better environment for the next generation to live in.
“I want your kids to have the same blessed life I did,” Vance said. “We’ve got an opportunity to do it.”
Following over 90 minutes of intermission, former President Trump stepped up to the podium for a near two-hour speech on a plethora of different topics. This included denial of his affiliation with Project 2025, endorsement from Elon Musk and his views on electric cars, pulling out of the North American Free Trade Agreement for a deal with Mexico and Canada, his relationship with foreign adversaries like President Xi, voting security follow the controversy of the 2020 Presidential election, and creating an “Iron Dome” to defend against large missile attacks.
“Less than four years we were a great nation, and we will soon be a great nation again.” Trump said. “With the right leadership, every disaster ‘Crooked’ Joe Biden has created can be fixed very quickly.”
About halfway through the speech, President Trump brought up U.S. Senate candidates Sandy Pensler and Mike Rogers. This led to Pensler to announce his withdrawal from the ballot and endorsement of Mike Rogers for the spot.
“My campaign was always about making America better,” Pensler said. “The best way to do that is to enact President Trump’s policies. To do that, we need control of the Senate. A divisive continued primary effort hurts the chances of that; so tonight, I am doing the right thing and seizing my Senate candidacy. President Trump endorsed Mike Rogers, so am I. Mike’s going to make the heck of a Senator.”
“I am honored to have (Pensler) stand with us and all Republicans to win the Senate,” Rogers said. “I have spent my career working to protect America as an army officer, an FBI agent, and the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. I have never seen such an unsafe America because of the Democrats over the past four years. Mr. President, we will make America safe again.”
Vance will make be making his first solo rally appearances on Monday in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio and in Radford, Virginia.
Photo credits to Brandon Wirth and Big Rapids Media.
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