President Trump’s return to the campaign trail Saturday is finding a smaller-than-advertised crowd in Tulsa, Okla. — and his aides are pointing fingers.
“Sadly, protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally,” campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said about an hour before Trump was set to take the stage at the 19,000-seat BOK Center.
Campaign manager Brad Parscale had touted more than a million ticket requests for the rally, but said he expected about 100,000 to actually show up.
An outdoor stage was set to accommodate entertainment for an expected overflow crowd — but Trump’s speech there was called off when the masses never materialized.
“Radical protesters coupled with relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the President’s supporters,” Murtaugh said. “We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out.”
Local health officials in Tulsa have opposed Trump’s decision to hold the rally in their city while the coronavirus pandemic continues.