world

Trump unleashes grievances at rally; suggests virus testing should slow down

70 Comments
By Kevin Freking and Jonathan Lemire

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

70 Comments

Comments have been disabled You can no longer respond to this thread.

There were suppose to be an overflow of 20,000 rabid fans but they could not fill up the BOK. There are no obstructions to enter the BOK. Trump is still blathering on

15 ( +22 / -7 )

trump said:

'Too many people were testing positive, I told them to slow down the testing.'

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Watch the "Trump is responsible for a rise in COVID infections due to his rally" comments.

Sorry the shelf life on that has already expired. During the peaceful riots, you conveniently forgot to mention COVID, mask up, shelter in place, order ventilators. Of course we know alt righters were responsible for the burning and looting also; you used that one during the peaceful riots, so we get it.

Time to throw out that and try a new one. Boltons book will be out soon, you can try that one.

What about the damages done to cities, the survey of that and cost, and the related infections? Havent seen anything on that.....still waiting..)

-21 ( +6 / -27 )

Trump rally in Tulsa features empty seats, staff infections

Gee, who could have predicted that....

Ignoring health warnings, Trump went through with his first rally in 110 days in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 120,000 Americans, put 40 million out of work and upended Trump's reelection bid.

"Upended" is probably a little mild - more like "buried"...

“We begin our campaign," Trump thundered as he took the stage. “The silent majority is stronger than ever before."

Must be the silent majority in all those empty seats...

Onstage, Trump unleashed months of pent-up grievances, accusing the media of favoring his Democratic opponent Joe Biden and defending his handling of the pandemic, which he dubbed the “Kung flu," a term for the virus that many consider to be racist.

My, my - his BFF Xi won't be happy with that - Trump will have to "take a knee" and plead with him again...just like Bolton said...

Trump also spent more than 10 minutes — with the crowd laughing along — trying to explain away a pair of odd images from his speech last weekend at West Point, blaming his slippery leather-soled shoes for video of him walking awkwardly down a ramp as he left the podium. And then he declared that he used two hands to drink a cup of water — another image that went viral — because he didn't want to spill water on his tie.

The fact that he brought these up just goes to show how much they get under his skin - and they should, he looked like a feeble old man...

“I don’t think it’s anything worse than the flu,” said Brian Bernard, 54, a retired IT worker from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who sported a Trump 2020 hat. “I haven’t caught a cold or a flu in probably 15 years, and if I haven’t caught a cold or flu yet, I don’t think I’m gonna catch COVID."

I'm sure the six Trump staffers who are now infected said the same thing...

14 ( +20 / -6 )

trump will either demand another rally, or he will whine on Twitter about fake news and CNN.

Then he will start having random press conferences again about health or some new change, but he will only talk about the rally and that so many people showed up.

16 ( +21 / -5 )

The campaign handed out masks and hand sanitizer, but there was no requirement that participants use them. Participants also underwent a temperature check.

But no bricks on pallets to throw at windows or people?

-13 ( +6 / -19 )

all this mocking from people who support a guy who can’t get 200 people to show up to hear him “speak”.

good event for the first one back.

-26 ( +5 / -31 )

TheLongTermerToday  10:47 am JST

Watch the "Trump is responsible for a rise in COVID infections due to his rally" comments.

I don't think we'll be seeing many of those kinds of comments, as hardly anyone seems to have gone to his stupid rally.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

@Long

But no bricks on pallets to throw at windows or people?

There would be too many wasted bricks left on the pallet because the turn out sucked!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

@Black

all this mocking from people who support a guy who can’t get 200 people to show up to hear him “speak”.

good event for the first one back.

The article is about trump's pathetic rally turn out.

Stay on topic please!

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Nothing pathetic about the turnout. Its a political speech, not a concert or a football game.

-22 ( +4 / -26 )

Bye bye Trump. Worst speech ever.

14 ( +19 / -5 )

Trump doesn't have much left. A broken record, playing the same insults and themes, over and over again. He's out of ideas, and out of his league. Much of the rest of America is waking up to this, although there will be many diehards who will hold on to the bitter end.

20 ( +24 / -4 )

story now: "literally no one went!"

story next 2 weeks: "The large rally attendance caused coronavirus cases to increase 10x as many!"

-17 ( +4 / -21 )

There's no way to categorize this other than a complete and utter disaster...

Trump, who obsesses about ratings and crowd size, was confronted with a half-empty arena...in his words, very bad optics...

Six of his staffers have become infected with the virus - something that Dr Fauci, Dr Brix, and his Surgeon General all said was likely to occur, and recommended against any large indoor events...

Now one wonders how many other attendees, staffers, even Trump himself, will test positive over the next two weeks. And there's no minimizing this virus - yesterday the CDC reported the highest number of infections, 30K, since May 1.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/20/us-reports-his-number-of-daily-coronavirus-cases-since-may-1.html

After this humiliating failure, Trump will be slinking back to the bunker...

14 ( +18 / -4 )

That West Point story was hilarious and amazing. Great story teller!

-24 ( +3 / -27 )

I've heard that hospitals in Tulsa have ordered thousands of ventilators as a huge Covid-19 spike is expected in the next few weeks.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

but no "literally no one" was at the rally, why the huge spike?

as a huge Covid-19 spike is expected in the next few weeks.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

Entirely predictable. He couldn't even fill a 20,000 seat venue. That's one seat for every lie he's told in the past 3 years.

Hardly, wait for the official numbers to come out and remember, we still have an pandemic going on. So not everyone wants to go out, especially the elderly, but once it's safe again, that'll go up and remember, if Trump were that bad in political shape he wouldn't be hovering so high when it comes to trust and the economy. But we know the liberal press would never admit to that.

-19 ( +3 / -22 )

luckily, rally attendance is not a prerequisite for voting for Trump. Some of the at risk people decided to stay home and watch on TV instead, but still enjoyed the rally and will come out to vote.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

News of the infections came just a short time before Trump departed for Oklahoma, and the president raged to aides that the information had been made public, according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.

Don't like the truth eh trumpy boy!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

There's no way to categorize this other than a complete and utter disaster...

How?

Trump, who obsesses about ratings and crowd size, was confronted with a half-empty arena...in his words, very bad optics...

This is the first rally after an ongoing pandemic, don't worry, more to come.

Six of his staffers have become infected with the virus - something that Dr Fauci, Dr Brix, and his Surgeon General all said was likely to occur, and recommended against any large indoor events...

That means many, many more protesters will become infected....oh, that's right, the numbers do seem to be rising.

Now one wonders how many other attendees, staffers, even Trump himself, will test positive over the next two weeks. And there's no minimizing this virus - yesterday the CDC reported the highest number of infections, 30K, since May 1.

I wonder how many more in Seattle will become infected....Portland as well. Scary!

After this humiliating failure, Trump will be slinking back to the bunker...

With Joe?

-21 ( +2 / -23 )

Love how liberals talk about the bunker, when Trump was there for like 45 minutes and Biden has been there permanently for pretty much the entirety of 2020, and is still there.

-20 ( +2 / -22 )

The turnout is hardly the important thing to take away from this rally, whether it's a million people or a single bored stoner attracted by the pretty lights. All you need to know is that the most powerful man in the country announced that doing less testing results in less infections. At that point all political divisions, interests and sympathies fade into nothingness; nobody should tolerate that kind of dribbling stupidity.

25 ( +26 / -1 )

I was really impressed when he drank a glass of water, from one hand!!!!

16 ( +19 / -3 )

There's no way to categorize this other than a complete and utter disaster...

How?

It helps if you read the article before commenting...

Trump, who obsesses about ratings and crowd size, was confronted with a half-empty arena...in his words, very bad optics...

This is the first rally after an ongoing pandemic, don't worry, more to come.

Trump's worrying...half-empty - very bad optics....

Six of his staffers have become infected with the virus - something that Dr Fauci, Dr Brix, and his Surgeon General all said was likely to occur, and recommended against any large indoor events...

That means many, many more protesters will become infected....oh, that's right, the numbers do seem to be rising.

They were outside - the attendees were inside...may want to do a little more research....

Now one wonders how many other attendees, staffers, even Trump himself, will test positive over the next two weeks. And there's no minimizing this virus - yesterday the CDC reported the highest number of infections, 30K, since May 1.

I wonder how many more in Seattle will become infected....Portland as well. Scary!

Next Trump rally will be held in Chernobyl...radiation suits optional...

After this humiliating failure, Trump will be slinking back to the bunker...

With Joe?

Trump is going to invite Joe to his WH bunker? If you say so...

9 ( +12 / -3 )

WH was quick to clarify that trump’s statement about less testing was a joke.

It sure wasn’t a joke for trump, so he’ll not be happy.

I think WH should focus on the fact that he could drink water with one wobbly hand!!

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Oh Antifa just showed up outside the rally to attack the peaceful attendees on their way home. but the media is calling them Black Lives Matter protesters.

-24 ( +3 / -27 )

@Black

Oh Antifa just showed up outside the rally to attack the peaceful attendees on their way home. but the media is calling them Black Lives Matter protesters.

Where are the physical attacks by antifa? Please provide evidence!

16 ( +19 / -3 )

@Black

but no "literally no one" was at the rally, why the huge spike?

Another logic car crash as someone has said on another post. Those attendees will return home and share their corona gift strangers, friends and family along the way.

All out breaks start with patient zero. Now we have quite a few patient zeros. It is a pathetic number for an incumbent presidential rally but a "beautiful number" for a second wave of a pandemic!

9 ( +13 / -4 )

LOL! And the whining has begun!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Ha Trump, you suck. This has been national news for weeks, but despite all the free advertising you still can’t outdraw the attendance of a minor league baseball game.

Pathetic.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

After this humiliating failure, Trump will be slinking back to the bunker..

Now lets get all this straight....

COVID and the law took a break because combating white supremacy was more urgent, and all the rioting and

looting was done by white supremacist.

So that part, we got cleared.

Now Trump is holding peaceful rallies so I guess the law is no longer on break time; its in effect? And the low number turn out, means people are still wary of COVID, so COVID is no long on break either?

What is that you want? I mean they are trying out anarchy in CHAV/CHOP but its sizzling out. Im not hating on that group, seems peaceful at the moment but its losing momentum. Seems to be a temporary break.

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

Trump also floated the idea of a one-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of burning an American flag, an act of protest covered by the First Amendment.

What a loser! You’d have to be really insecure and weak-minded to think this is a good idea.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

“Coronavirus resting should slow down!”

What an ignoramus! Trump’s as bad as that guy who’s leading Brazil right now.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Blacklabel

good event for the first one back.

So Trump is just "out of shape", as demonstrated by his inability to walk down a ramp and drink from a bottle.

More than likely, even most of his supporters realized that attending this ego rally was dangerous.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

There gotta be a ROI on all the effort right? All the statues destroyed, property destroyed, COVID spikes,

Trump did give you a police reform bill, thats appreciated.

So what else do you want? Im trying to figure all this out...)

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

The only thing Trump's unleashing here is a massive wave of coronavirus infection from this ridiculous rally.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

After his disastrous mega-failure rally tonight, it wouldn't surprise me if Trump went back and started discussing resigning before Nov.

All of his closest business associates have said he can't stand the humiliation of losing - he'd quit first.

I bet McConnell has Nikki Haley on speed dial - asking her to be Pence's VP.

Just one problem with that - she's ambitious enough to think she should be at the top - Haley/Pence, not Pence/Haley....

And then we'll get to Round 2 of the Great Repub Civil War...

8 ( +11 / -3 )

The only thing Trump's unleashing here is a massive wave of coronavirus infection from this ridiculous rally.

I see, but the millions who were rioting....what happened to the virus? any accountability or stats from that?

We cant be jumping over to that yet, this over here isnt cleared yet

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Look at all those empty seats! Hahaha. THAT is going to hurt his feelings more than anything, and the best part is even though it's probably a knee-jerk reaction for him to want to cancel any further rallies in a big sulk, he simply cannot help himself, so he'll go ballistic and freak out as he knows the next rally will be just as bad, but can't cancel it.

Loser all the way, as are most of his followers.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Now trump blames protesters for keeping the attendees out.

Feel sorry for the trump supporters, they seem to lack courage!!!

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Well Im not supporting Trump, just trying to follow the logic

It was burn it all down, its all based on white supremacy. then we jumped to white supremacist are doing the burning, but no mention of COVID, because? to now....well its back to blame Trump for the COVID! he gonna get all them people at the rally infected.

Before we get back to ventilator or wash hands, shelter in place, mask up shut all the biz down...I need some credibility....following this pattern has become very bizaro! lol

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

@Longterm

Before we get back to ventilator or wash hands, shelter in place, mask up shut all the biz down...I need some credibility....following this pattern has become very bizaro! lol

It seems that Trump rally campaign didn't even have enough supplies for the small number in attendance.

Trump Rally Short on Masks and Supporters in Campaign Kickoff

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/thousands-flood-tulsa-trump-rally-175301468.html

Not only was the turnout pathetic, but they still didn't have enough supplies to ensure the audiences safety. No wonder he made attendees sign waivers.

This is primary example of Trump's poor leadership skills and hiring only the best. However, he did make sure that every attendee signed a waiver.

It was probably one of the reasons for the poor turn out. In trying to save himself, he scared people away!

12 ( +14 / -2 )

If the protesters scared the trump supporters away from the rally, they might do the same at elections.

So keeping in mind the safety of trump supporters, I recommend mail in ballots!!!

9 ( +11 / -2 )

You know, for someone who likes to think of him self as a tough guy, Trump seems to spend an awful lot of time whining like a spoilt child.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

You know, for someone who likes to think of him self as a tough guy, Trump seems to spend an awful lot of time whining like a spoilt child.

And for a lot of supporters who say they like trump for "saying it like it is".

trump spends a lot of time denying everything!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Dear leader trump also spent a long time talking about his ramp sprint.

I have seen the video and was surprised at the sprint in the final few feet, felt like I was seeing Usain Bolt on that ramp.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

MAGA 2020 or DOA 2020 no brainer.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

I am sure he will be elected for President again

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

After the pathetic attendance at this Tulsa rally tonight, I'm sure Trump is looking at cities where he knows he can fill every seat.....

Expect the next Trump rally to be held in Moscow....

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Trump's twitter rant this week:

1) He will claim that it was a great success.

2) Then he will deny the low attendance then call it fake news.

****The last two in any order.**

3) Then he will claim some conspiracy theory that twitter will have to check.

4) Then he will attend the next press conference and avoid any conversation about pandemic and only talk about the rally.

5) When the press continue to ask important questions, he will leave abruptly.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

More facts about this pathetic rally:

Trump campaign told police to remove peaceful protester arrested outside Tulsa rally

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-campaign-told-police-remove-204110240.html

The Trump's campaign, a private organization, had the taxpayer funded local police arrest an individual on their behalf who had been screened, who had an admission ticket, who was not impeding foot traffic, and who was praying in silence. She was accused of "trespassing" but was clearly there legally and appropriately. Ms Buck was booked with "obstruction" even though the Tulsa police admitted she hadn't been obstructing anything, not foot traffic or access areas.

MAGA = Manhandling A Grandma Anti-Trumper.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Sorry, but I do not like this type of reporting. I am not a registered Democrat or Republican but this so called news was not news but a commentary. This is a sad piece of reporting or editing at best. Each red lettered words, phrase or clause probably was and is not necessary in a news report unless it was a "red" day such as declaration of war. The entire presentation if one reads the red lettered words emphasizes the negative and reeks of "bias" of the reporter and indicates it is an opinion piece of a commentator and not a news reporter. If one noticed... the POTUS was called "president" throughout the piece and not President with a capital "P" as is the standard used to show respect. Obviously the reporters did not respect Trump nor the US Presidency.

-17 ( +3 / -20 )

The virus: WON.

trump: A Big Fat Zero

5 ( +9 / -4 )

What a negative article about such a positive event. Who the hell wrote this... oh, AP.

The virus: WON.

trump: A Big Fat Zero

The virus: 0

Trump: 1

There, fixed it for you.

Amazing how it's OK for BLM protesters/rioters/looters to gather, but not Trump supporters.

Oh, the hypocrisy.

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

Well, we're getting our first response from the White House on this pitiful rally in Tulsa....

Trump skipped a planned appearance outside of the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., which Campaign Spokesman Tim Murtaugh blamed on "radical protestors, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media," who "attempted to frighten off the President’s supporters" with their warnings about the pandemic risk.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/20/trump-rally-tulsa-coronavirus-reset-2020-campaign-330248

Hmmmmm.....so the reason there were so many open seats was because peaceful protesters "scared away" the Trump supporters. OK, then these supporters must be pretty big wussies...scared off to flee to their basements and bunkers, just like their President...

They must not be too enthusiastic about their candidate if a few peaceful protesters made them run and hide...

Or maybe it was because they listened to Dr Fauci, Dr Brix, and the Surgeon General who said don't go to large indoor events - its dangerous...

Well, we'll find out in 10-14 days how many that did attend will be heading to the hospital - after infecting many of their family and co-workers...

7 ( +10 / -3 )

And that’s all you have, ignore the issue at hand and point at something else, as usual. Oh my, smh

I hope you are already getting your excuses and conspiracies ready for November.

Shake your head all you want. Just have your tissues ready for November. :D

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

The president’s campaign tried to point fingers elsewhere over the smaller-than-expected crowd, accusing protesters of blocking access to metal detectors and preventing people from entering the rally.

That is so fake news, if there ever is one. There have been no confirmed reports at all of anyone who has tried to block people from entering the rally. Of course, only Trump's loyal fan base would ever believe such a bold-faced lie.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Trump could've saved loads of money and just rented a local high school gym.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Trump said he thinks people should go to jail for a year for burning a US flag.

I’d say draft-dodging is far worse.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Trump could've saved loads of money and just rented a local high school gym.

You can't get 15,000 people into a high school gym.

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites