GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Hundreds gathered in Grand Rapids early Saturday morning for a chance to see Former President Donald Trump's first rally since the assassination attempt.
13 ON YOUR SIDE spoke with supporters as they waited in line for hours, some even days.
Edward X. Young, a New Jersey native visiting Grand Rapids for the first time, spent the night in a folding chair outside Van Andel Arena.
"It was kind of cold at three in the morning, and I was dressed light, but it's worth it," Young said.
He came straight from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. This marks his 81st Trump rally.
"The humor is out of it now. This is very serious. This is the first rally since the attempt to kill him and we have to get here to show our support," Young said. "We didn't flinch. We didn't run and we're not going to stop coming to the rallies," Young said.
Not only is it one week after the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, but it's also the first rally with both Trump and his newly announced running mate JD Vance, a senator from Ohio.
Some supporters said this made this rally extra important, like Kathleen Smilie, who drove early from Shelby.
"We missed out on the last one in Muskegon, so we left early. We packed our snacks. We're here. We really want to see Trump and see Vance. We watched the movie," she said in reference to the "Hillbilly Elegy" movie based on Vance's memoir and life. "Good movie, so we're interested in Vance now."
Another supporter, Randy Ritsema, brought his kids from Grandville to see the event. He said Trump's handling of the assassination attempt may solidify his spot as the frontrunner.
"I think that's it makes him a shoo-in now, I really do," Ritsema said. "He's going to be the president. That's my opinion, but I think it's a wrap. I don't think Biden stands a chance."
This comes as the Washington Post reports First Lady Jill Biden has canceled tentative plans to campaign in Ann Arbor Sunday, amidst calls for President Joe Biden to step aside.
Doors open at 1 p.m. on Saturday for those who have a general admission ticket to the venue.
Trump is expected to touch on the economy and border policies, among other topics. 13 ON YOUR SIDE will livestream when it's slated to start at 5 p.m.
You can watch on our website, download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app, or on our streaming app available to download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire Stick and Apple TV.
