Donald Trump held his third rally in a row Friday afternoon at the Las Vegas Convention Center – with a Trump-loving impersonator to keep the crowd entertained before the president spoke.
The president’s fans had lined up outside for hours- and in some cases since Thursday – in a relative winter chill to wait for the relatively rare appearance in a red state.
They were kept entertained not just by Trump Elvis – real name Jeff Stanulis, holding an Elvis-themed Donald Trump doll – but by a Kim Jong Un impersonator who shouted at waiting fans that the president is a ‘great dictator’ while brandishing an inflatable little rocket.
Elvis made it into the building, continuing the show outside the main convention center hall, but Kim did not.
The stop in Nevada was part of a rare four-day campaign swing through the west coast.
During the trip, the president held a fundraiser in California, participated in a prisoner graduation ceremony, and held a Phoenix rally on Wednesday, Colorado Springs rally Thursday and finally one in Las Vegas’ Convention Center.
The rally was held on the eve of the Nevada caucuses, only the third Democratic primary contest in the nation.
The president continued his momentum off his previous two rallies, railing against potential general election rivals and slamming Democrats and culture war enemies on a myriad of issues – including the Academy Awards bestowing Best Picture Oscar to South Korean film ‘Parasite.’
All shook up: Pro-Trump Elvis Presley impersonator Jeff Stanulis is part of the entertainment for the president’s rally crowd outside the Las Vegas Convention Center before a rare day-time rally
Little darlin: Elvis impersonator Jeff Stanulis brought his own mini-Donald Trump with an Elvis guitar as he offered a Las Vegas flavor to the crowd waiting for the president’s rally in the city
Good luck charm: As well as a Donald Trump doll with a guitar, Elvis impersonator Jeff Stanilus accessorized his rhinestone outfit with the presidential seal
Always on min mind: Elvis impersonator Jeff Stanislus’ loyalties to the King and the president are on display outside the Las Vagas Convention Center
Look who’s here too: Kim Jong Un impersonator ‘Howard X’ called Donald Trump ‘a great dictator’ as he entertained the president’s supporters outside the Las Vegas Convention Center
Not a Trump fan: An Andrew Yang supporter was happy to joke along with Little Rocket Man impersonator Howard X as the MAGA crowd waited to get into the Las Vegas Convention Center
Summit up quickly: ‘Howard X’ who impersonates Kim Jong Un professionally was in Sin City with the pro-Trump crowd waiting outside the president’s rally site
Here to show support: The president’s fans lined up in the sunshine and the relative winter chill – with Trump 2020 cowboy hats among the merchandise available
Ready for the rally: The crowd outside the president’s Las Vegas rally in line to get into the hall
Fired up: Supporters of the president make a four-more years sign as they chant their approval before he arrives
Who didn’t get the hat memo? MAGA merchandise was on display as the president’s supporters lined up for the Las Vegas rally
While the site of the rally location was more unconventional for the president, with makeshift risers brought into an open room in a convention center room rather than a sports or entertainment venue with a stadium-full of seats and bleachers.
Most of the area was standing-room only, and many attendees even gathered around and behind the press pen into an overflow area.
Trump lost Nevada in 2016 with 45.5 per cent of the vote to Hillary Clinton’s 47.9 per cent.
The only two counties that went blue, however, were the ones that encompass Las Vegas and Reno, the largest cities in the state.
The president is trying to gain those few percentage points to take Nevada’s six Electoral College votes in November.
Democrats are also vying for support in the state as they continue to campaign up until the caucuses Saturday.
Many of the eight remaining candidates arrived for the debate Wednesday and stayed through the weekend.
Some candidates especially are trying to gain back their energy in the state after less-than-satisfactory performances in the first two early primary contest states.
Joe Biden, who remained the national frontrunner throughout the primary campaign, walked away from Iowa in fourth place and came in a shocking fifth place in New Hampshire.
Moderates Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar performed surprisingly well in the two states.
But both Iowa and New Hampshire are more than 90 per cent white, and some candidates, like Joe Biden, claim they will do better in more diverse states like Nevada and South Carolina – the second primary election state, where voters will cast their ballots next Saturday.
Even though Trump is not facing any significant primary challenges, he has still touted his wins in Iowa and New Hamsphire, especially after Democrats struggled to get the Iowa results out following a malfunction in the app intended for reporting results.
Here for the president: Unusually for a Trump event, the rally was held in the city’s convention center rather than a sports venue, with temporary bleachers set up for those who wanted to sit
Fan club meeting: One religious followed of the president brought a ‘Trust God’ sign for the rally and brandished it while waiting to get in
Themed clothing: Trump supporter Blake Marnell, from San Diego, came in a border wall suit – he is a regular at the tallies in the outfit
Can’t Help Falling In Love With Q: Supporters of the bizarre Q-Anon conspiracy theory were among the crowd he took part in the Trump rally
No doubting their loyalty: Two Donald Trump supporters brought a flag to the rare daytime rally in Las Vegas
