GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —
Monday night, former president Donald Trump will end his campaign in West Michigan, something he has done before. People had been lining up, some as early as 4 a.m., to get a good seat for the presidential candidate.
Kent County has been a huge focus during the final months of this election cycle. In 2020, President Biden led Kent County by six points. But in 2016, Trump led by 3.
The focus on West Michigan makes Muskegon resident Mike Veltman feel special.
“Clearly, he's been a lot here, a lot. And then the day before an election, it just says what he really feels about the people in Michigan. Some people might say, well, it's just trying to get those swing state votes. But I think he likes it here,” Veltman said. “I think he likes the people here, and that makes you feel good. That makes you feel proud to be from Michigan that a former President supports this state so much.”
Veltman was in line around 9 a.m. Monday morning and this will be his first Trump rally.
He said no matter what happens tomorrow, people will have to come together.
“I think regardless, you know who the president is, who gets elected, you know, we still got to be good people. We still got to take care of our families and take care of them, and I think the President can only do so much so mean, if other people can just volunteer in the communities, get involved in different things, we all can make a difference. It doesn't just take one person in the White House to change a country. I think all of us do.”
Big Rapids resident Donnie Looi has been to a handful of Trump rallies, but ‘midnight rallies’ like Monday’s (which starts at 10:30 p.m.) are his favorite.
“It's exciting. The vibe from, like, a midnight rally is awesome. I love it,” Looi said. “That's the only reason why I come. They're a blast.”
John Russell traveled from Aurora, IL, to be second in line for the rally.
“Yeah, love Trump, so wherever he's at, I'm going.”
This is Russell’s 27th rally, and he said he loves talking and hanging out with his “fellow patriots.”
He said Trump visits like this one are important.
“It's vital, you know, we need the rust belt, you know, working-class citizens, you know. So, yeah, Michigan, Pennsylvania, he's all over there.” Adding, “I went to the rallies there too, you know.”
Thomas Stevens had been in line with his brother, David, and David’s wife, Carissa, since 4:30 a.m. Their drive was not short, they traveled 10.5 hours through the night from Minnesota to be there.
“We came out here today to support Donald Trump,” Thomas said. “We're from Minnesota, which is Walz country, and it's really fun to be here.”
They decided to make the drive on a whim during a Halloween party. Stevens said he was encouraged to see young voters coming out during the election.
“I think that, though, you know, we really wanted to take a step and really participate, more than just voting, but actually being energized and bringing people together and getting them out and getting them to these events,” Stevens said. “So I think it's really an exciting and amazing thing, and I'm really happy to see that people in our age range are getting out to vote and celebrating their candidate. And for us, it's Donald Trump.”
Stevens said he is cautiously optimistic. He believes the election will go the way he wants it to go, but he would be fine if it doesn’t.
“It's like finding out Santa Claus isn't real. But you know, you get over it, you grow up, and then you move on,” Stevens said. “But hopefully it goes our way this time so cautiously optimistic. How I describe it.”
"We just gotta wait and see,” his brother, David, added. “I know some of the states are gonna take a little bit longer to count their voting, and so we just gotta be patient. Gotta wait, but we're really excited. We got lots of energy, and we're hoping Donald Trump wins.”
Donald Trump is set to take the stage at 10:30 p.m. Monday at Van Andel Arena.