ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Albuquerque just five days before the election. The rally was held at CSI Aviation Operation hangar near the Albuquerque International Sunport.
Thousands of Trump supporters waited hours in line to see the former president speak. Parking at the event opened up at 5 a.m., and shuttle busses started taking people to the event approximately 30 minutes later. Gates opened up at 8 a.m., and Trump was scheduled to speak at noon.
Thousands more were unable to get inside the venue, but watched on a screen outside. Many decided to camp outside the venue to be first in line to get in. Brandon Borman, a New Mexico Resident, was one of those who stayed overnight.
“This is my second rally I’ve been to, but this is the first time I’ve camped out,” Borman said. “I’ve been here since six last night.”
Before the rally got underway, a priest stepped onto the stage to lead the audience in multiple prayers. After the prayer, the audience was asked to join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Ash Soular, a Christian music artist from Las Cruces, then sang the National Anthem.
Hours before Trump’s arrival, Republican candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives, Nella Domenici and former Rep. Yvette Harrell, spoke briefly to the crowd to encourage them to vote and turn New Mexico red. New Mexico’s electoral votes have not gone to a Republican in more than 20 years.
State Chairman of the Republican Party and former Rep. Steve Pearce also spoke at the rally. Myron Lizer, former Vice President of the Navajo Nation, also spoke before Trump’s arrival. Lizer praised Trump’s leadership in 2019 when he signed the executive order that launched Operation Lady Justice. This executive order helped send resources to help find missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Toward the end of the former president’s speech, he brought out Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). Mullin talked about Trump’s fight and mentioned the assassination attempt in Butler, PA. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez was also in attendance but did not speak.
Trump’s airplane, called Trump Force One by the campaign, landed at the Albuquerque International Sunport at noon after his rally in a crucial battleground state in Green Bay, Wis. The former president did not exit the aircraft until 30 minutes after he landed. Trump’s speech lasted for about an hour and a half. He then immediately left Albuquerque for Henderson, Nev. This is another key battleground state in this year’s election.
Two medical emergencies occurred during the rally. During the first emergency, Trump stopped talking after hearing the crowd yell for a medic and made sure the person was okay. He tried communicating with the medic from the podium. While waiting, Trump asked event organizaers to play “God Bless the USA” and encouraged the audience to sing along. Later, another member of the audience needed a medic. Trump did not see or hear people yelling, but the attendee was able to get medical attention.
With Trump’s surprise visit to New Mexico, many supporters in attendance were hoping to hear his remark on the border and immigration.
“Shut that border down,” a rally attendee said.
Trump made remarks about his opponent Kamala Harris. He also made remarks on his plan for New Mexicans to help build back America and New Mexico.
“Fire Kamala (Harris) and we’re going to save America,” Trump said. “We will cut taxes, end inflation, slash your prices. We’re going to get those prices down, raise your wages and bring thousands of factories back to America and back to New Mexico. We will build American, we will buy American and we will hire American.
As the rally came to a close, the audience cheered for the former president as he was making his closing remarks. Trump was encouraging everyone in attendance to go out and vote. He then ended his rally by walking off the stage to “Y.M.C.A” as he boarded his plane for his next rally later that day.
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