Trump fans defy virus warnings at rally, even as staffers test positive

by Laurent Banguet

Donald Trump arrived in Tulsa Saturday for his first rally in months as supporters dismissed coronavirus fears to hear the US president — but several staffers on his advance team tested positive for COVID-19 and crowds appeared smaller than promised.

Thousands filed into an indoor arena where Trump aims to revive his election fortunes after several bruising weeks, and despite the rally emerging as a flashpoint in the pandemic era.

Many rally-goers wore red “Make America Great Again” hats or T-shirts, but very few wore masks and there was little social distancing, even though coronavirus cases have recently been skyrocketing in Oklahoma.

The president has downplayed the risk that the evening rally — with thousands of shouting, cheering attendees — might trigger a coronavirus outbreak, ignoring danger warnings by Tulsa health and municipal officials.

But the narrative of a trouble-free campaign event was punctured Saturday when the campaign announced that six members of its Tulsa advance team tested positive for coronavirus.

“Quarantine procedures were immediately implemented,” campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. “No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today’s rally.”

With the White House promising massive crowds in Tulsa, the president was scheduled to address an outdoor “overflow” gathering next to the arena before headlining the indoor rally at 7:00 pm (0000 GMT).

The Tulsa crowds “are unbelievable,” Trump boasted as he left the White House bound for Oklahoma.

The comment was premature. With many upper deck arena seats empty, and no crowd materializing outside, the overflow speech was scrapped.

“The last time I saw a crowd this small was Trump’s Inauguration,” tweeted Brendan Boyle, a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania.

In a rare concession the Trump campaign too acknowledged attendance fell short of expectations. Murtaugh quickly blamed “radical protestors” and the media for seeking to “frighten off the president’s supporters.”

The stakes Saturday could not be higher — both for the health of thousands spending hours at the arena and Trump’s political fortunes five months before an election in which he trails in the polls.

“The last time I saw a crowd this small was Trump’s Inauguration,” tweeted Brendan Boyle, a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania.

In a rare concession the Trump campaign too acknowledged attendance fell short of expectations. Murtaugh quickly blamed “radical protestors” and the media for seeking to “frighten off the president’s supporters.”

The stakes Saturday could not be higher — both for the health of thousands spending hours at the arena and Trump’s political fortunes five months before an election in which he trails in the polls. (AFP)