Inside the Blue Ribbon Pavilion on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, a building that is normally reserved for 4-H Livestock, Donald Trump called for Hoosiers to join him in a “historic movement” toward the presidency on Wednesday.
Numerous notable members of the Indiana Republican party introduced the controversial candidate at the campaign rally, including Rex Early, a former Marine and chairman of the Indiana Republican State Committee, Bob Morris, a State Representative of House District 84 and Jane Reiman, the mayor of Carmel, Ind. from 1980-87.
Half an hour after the scheduled start to the rally, Trump finally took the stage. Even so, he was welcomed with a gracious ovation of supporters who were chanting, “Build that wall.” Members of the crowd held signs that read “Silent Majority” and “Veterans for Trump,” while others adorned buttons that read “Hilary for Prison 2016” and “Bomb the Hell out of ISIS.”
Trump took the stage and addressed his commanding victory in the New York Primary the day before, when he gathered 60.4 percent of the vote and most of the 95 Republican delegates. He found considerable success in his home state while separating himself from “Lying Ted” and “Crooked Hilary.” Trump was keen to compare the working class New York values of the citizens of Long Island to that of hard working Hoosiers.
Trump spoke specifically about the state of Indiana and spared no expense at attacking the recent decision by Carrier, an air conditioning manufacture, to lay off 1,400 Hoosier employees and open a new plant in Mexico.
“We have leaders that are stupid people and leaders that are corrupt people,” he said, “and if I were in office right now, Carrier would not be leaving Indiana.” He specifically asked if anyone in the audience was part of the Carrier layoffs and an audience member announced he worked there for 17 years. Trump continued to denounce the decision and asserted that, 'Governor Pence is fighting hard for you.'"
While supporters were mostly of an older demographic, students from high schools and colleges came out in support of, and protest against, Trump. Protestors were readily escorted from the premises during the rally, although a fair amount of “Students against Trump” protestors greeted supporters.
Alex, a 21-year-old Trump supporter and student from Indiana State, said he supports Trump’s campaign because of Trump’s willingness to say whatever he wants to say.
“I support Trump because we’re living in a climate where people are scared of voicing their opinions,” Alex said. “Trump is able to speak his mind and point out the obvious.”
The rally consisted of what many have come to see as ‘typical Trump rhetoric,’ including references to bad trade, the need for a stricter immigration policy and modernization of the military. He appealed to potential voters by asking them to take a historic step forward with him to “Make America Great Again.”