Donald Trump says Tulsa should prepare for a wild evening at his rally

The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma is bracing for what promises to be a raucous, no-holds-barred rally after President Donald Trump promised a ‘wild evening’ where masks to slow the spread of coronavirus will be optional. 

Pressing ahead in a pandemic, Trump looked to reverse a decline in his political fortunes Saturday by returning to the rally format that has so often energized him and his loyal supporters.

The rally will be one of the biggest indoor events in the U.S. since large gatherings were shut down in March because of the pandemic, and on Saturday morning huge lines had already formed, with thousands camping overnight in a festive carnival atmosphere for a chance to attend.

‘We have to get back to living our lives’ Trump told Axios on Friday, adding ‘we’re going to have a wild evening tomorrow night at Oklahoma.’ 

The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma is bracing for a raucous rally after President Donald Trump promised a ‘wild evening’

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather to attend a campaign rally at the BOK Center Saturday in Tulsa

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather to attend a campaign rally at the BOK Center Saturday in Tulsa

Donald Trump is scheduled to host his first rally since the Covid 19 Pandemic began on Saturday in Tulsa

Donald Trump is scheduled to host his first rally since the Covid 19 Pandemic began on Saturday in Tulsa

Trump, who has been loath to appear publicly in a mask, said he has no intention of wearing a mask at the rally

Trump, who has been loath to appear publicly in a mask, said he has no intention of wearing a mask at the rally

Asked about whether people attending the rally should wear face coverings, as is now recommended by the CDC, Trump replied ‘I recommend people do what they want.’ 

Trump, who has been loath to appear publicly in a mask, said he has no intention of wearing a mask at the rally.

‘I don’t feel that I’m in danger,’ he said. ‘I’ve met a lot, a lot of people, and so far here I sit.’

‘You know, there was a time when people thought it was worse wearing a mask,’ he said, referring to earlier guidance from the CDC saying that the general public should not wear masks. ‘I let people make up their own decision.’ 

The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials and as COVID-19 cases spike in many states. The event was expected to draw crowds of protesters to the area as well.

It’s been more than three months since the nation last saw a Trump rally. 

Asked about whether people attending the rally should wear face coverings, as is now recommended by the CDC, Trump replied 'I recommend people do what they want'

Asked about whether people attending the rally should wear face coverings, as is now recommended by the CDC, Trump replied ‘I recommend people do what they want’

The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials and as COVID-19 cases spike in many states

The rally was scheduled over the protests of local health officials and as COVID-19 cases spike in many states

Trump understands the stakes and was determined to return to his signature campaign events

Trump understands the stakes and was determined to return to his signature campaign events

'Big crowds and lines already forming in Tulsa. My campaign hasn't started yet. It starts on Saturday night in Oklahoma!' Trump tweeted Friday

‘Big crowds and lines already forming in Tulsa. My campaign hasn’t started yet. It starts on Saturday night in Oklahoma!’ Trump tweeted Friday

On March 2, the last time Trump held a rally, the unemployment rate stood at about 3.5 percent. The number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. was estimated at 91. ‘Our country is stronger than ever before,’ Trump declared at the time.

Now, the unemployment rate stands at 13.3 percent, based on the most recent monthly report. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has soared to about 2.2 million. The number of deaths reported in the U.S. has surpassed 119,000. 

Outrage over the criminal justice system’s treatment of black people following the death of George Floyd and other African Americans has spawned protests around the nation. Only about a quarter of Americans say the country is headed in the right direction.

Trump understands the stakes and was determined to return to his signature campaign events. He dismissed complaints that bringing together throngs for an indoor rally risked spreading the coronavirus as nothing more than politics.

‘Big crowds and lines already forming in Tulsa. My campaign hasn’t started yet. It starts on Saturday night in Oklahoma!’ Trump tweeted Friday.

A metal bust of Donald Trump is on display outside of the Bok Center, where Trump will hold a rally on Saturday night

A metal bust of Donald Trump is on display outside of the Bok Center, where Trump will hold a rally on Saturday night

Buttons in support of Donald Trump are seen for sale outside of the Bok Center as his supporters gather there

Buttons in support of Donald Trump are seen for sale outside of the Bok Center as his supporters gather there

A Trump supporter is seen outside of the Bok Center on Friday ahead of a massive rally planned there

A Trump supporter is seen outside of the Bok Center on Friday ahead of a massive rally planned there

Trump’s visit has also raised fears of clashes between protesters and Trump supporters. 

Officials expect a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa. 

Trump will speak inside the BOK Center as well as at an outdoor stage. But his audience also will be voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida.

Republican strategist Alex Conant said the rally gives the president a chance to reset his campaign after a couple of tough months.

‘The Tulsa rally is trying to ignite some momentum in a campaign that´s been going nowhere,’ Conant said. ‘When you look at the polls and then you look at the calendar, you realize he has to do something to try to reframe the election.’

The events in Tulsa will go a long way to determining how the campaign plays out in coming months. 

A success lays the groundwork for Trump to take his show to states that will determine the presidential election. A spike in coronavirus cases coming out of Tulsa would make his reception in those states more contentious. 

The campaign said it will hand out masks and hand sanitizer, but there is no requirement that participants use them. Participants will also undergo a temperature check.

The president’s campaign views his rallies as critical to his success. They elevate the enthusiasm level of his supporters and often lead them to donate, knock on doors and make phone calls on the president’s behalf.

Trump will speak inside the BOK Center as well as at an outdoor stage at the rally on Saturday night

Trump will speak inside the BOK Center as well as at an outdoor stage at the rally on Saturday night 

Supporters of President Donald Trump gather to attend a campaign rally at the BOK Center on Saturday

Supporters of President Donald Trump gather to attend a campaign rally at the BOK Center on Saturday

President Trump is scheduled to hold his first political rally since the start of the coronavirus pandemic at the BOK Center on Saturday while infection rates in the state of Oklahoma continue to rise

President Trump is scheduled to hold his first political rally since the start of the coronavirus pandemic at the BOK Center on Saturday while infection rates in the state of Oklahoma continue to rise

Merchandise is peddled ahead of a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump at the BOK Center on Saturday

Merchandise is peddled ahead of a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump at the BOK Center on Saturday

Campaign officials said that Trump would focus on what they call the 'great American comeback'

Campaign officials said that Trump would focus on what they call the ‘great American comeback’

The rally was originally scheduled for Friday, but it was moved back a day following an uproar that it otherwise would have happened on Juneteenth, a newly prominent holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the US

The rally was originally scheduled for Friday, but it was moved back a day following an uproar that it otherwise would have happened on Juneteenth, a newly prominent holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the US 

Trump has generally held his campaign rallies in swing states or in Democratic-leaning states such as Colorado or New Mexico that he hopes to flip this November. 

Oklahoma, a Trump stronghold, fits none of those categories. The last Democratic candidate to emerge victorious there in a presidential election was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. 

Trump won the state with more than 65 percent of the vote in the 2016 election. The Republican stronghold gives Trump more assurance that he’ll face little resistance to his efforts from top state officials.

‘It’s going to be safe,’ said Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican. ‘We have to learn how to be safe and how to move on.’

Tulsa resident Sue Williams picked her place in line for the rally on Thursday afternoon. 

‘I’ve been praying, and I don’t believe I’m going to get the coronavirus,’ Williams, 72, said, adding that she signed a waiver on her ticket application about the risks involved in going inside.

Mark Kelleher, of Oklahoma City, dismissed the threat of the virus as ‘fear porn.’

‘I think it’s all a hoax, to tell you the truth,’ Kelleher said.

The rally was originally scheduled for Friday, but it was moved back a day following an uproar that it otherwise would have happened on Juneteenth, and in a city where a 1921 race riot left dozens if not hundreds of black residents dead.

Campaign officials said that Trump would focus on what they call the ‘great American comeback.’ 

White House officials continue to project strong growth numbers for the U.S. economy in the third and fourth quarters. 

They want to give Americans a reason for optimism. ‘We are back and we will be booming,’ press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Friday.

But Conant said he anticipates a lot of the speech will focus on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

‘Right now the election is a referendum on Trump, and he’s losing,’ Conant said. ‘I think he needs to make a very strong case for why Biden would be a worse president.’

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