A Trump rally in Grand Rapids had a festival-like atmosphere with people tailgating, selling merchandise, and celebrating. However, the event had heightened security following a recent assassination attempt on Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. Many shirts sold depicted the now-famous image of a bloodied Trump being rushed offstage by Secret Service agents. Despite the increased security measures, attendees like Cindy Anderson and Ron Picard felt safe attending the rally to support Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. The event had a large police presence, with approximately 150 officers patrolling the area. County law enforcement also assisted with security, and attendees were screened by Secret Service agents and TSA officers using metal detectors and wands. While the atmosphere inside the arena felt familiar to commercial events, with vendors selling food and conservative television broadcasters promoting Trump, the presence of security was a reminder of the recent violent incident. Attendees like Sue Hayes remained focused on Trump’s policies on inflation and immigration, expressing faith in the protection measures in place. Despite the recent shooting, supporters gathered in Grand Rapids with a mix of celebration, caution, and trust in the security measures surrounding them.
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