3 Protesters for half full Billing Montant Trump rally

Trump Rallies in Billings After Securing Nomination

Trump traveled to Montana after delivering his first policy speech on energy in North Dakota

BY MATTHEW BROWN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
MAY 26, 2016

BILLINGS — A crowd of thousands, buoyed by word that Donald Trump had just locked down the Republican presidential nomination, gathered in a Billings arena Thursday to cheer the New York businessman and his unlikely ascent to the top of his party.

Trump traveled to Montana after delivering his first policy speech on energy in North Dakota.

He reached the number of delegates needed to clinch the Republican nomination for president earlier Thursday, adding to the excitement for supporters who waited in line as long as 20 hours for a chance to hear Trump speak.

“The fact that he secured it today makes being here worthwhile,” said Darin Dupree, a 53-year-old convenience store worker and military veteran from Billings.

Dupree arrived hours before Trump was scheduled to take the stage, joining throngs of Trump-backers waving signs and wearing caps emblazoned with the campaign’s motto, “Make America Great Again.”

“He’s going to make the jobs that need to be made and he’s going to help the everyday man,” Dupree added, shouting to be heard above the rock music blaring over the arena’s loudspeakers.

Trump spoke for about 50 minutes, opening by scanning the crowd for his son’s Montana hunting buddies before bashing Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama and the news media within the first three minutes of taking the stage.

Exemplifying the crowd’s enthusiasm was Bruce Bahm of Billings, who was first in line for entrance to the rally. Bahm spent the night in a folding chair in the parking lot, enduring a hail storm Wednesday evening. He said Trump would best represent the silent majority and cited the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court as a crucial issue that he didn’t want a Democrat to fill.

“I’ll do everything I can to get him elected,” Bahm said.

The arena was about half-full, while three people stood in the designated area for protesters outside as the rally began.

“I was surprised and amazed there weren’t more people who wanted to stand up and protest at a Trump rally,” said Rachel Rosin, one of the protesters.

Democrats took advantage of Trump’s visit to highlight his often-controversial remarks about women and immigrants as reasons to oppose other Republicans running for statewide office.

Montana Republicans, meanwhile, began to coalesce around Trump. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke endorsed Trump Wednesday and an announcement from U.S. Sen. Steve Daines was expected during the rally.

Some Republicans kept their distance. GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte did not attend the rally, citing a previously scheduled meeting with the Montana Mining Association near Butte. His campaign issued a statement in which Gianforte welcomed “yet another 2016 presidential candidate to Montana” but did not use Trump’s name.

If Montana voters select a Democrat for president in November, it would break more than two decades of domination by Republican candidates. The last Democrat to take the state was former President Bill Clinton in 1992.

http://flatheadbeacon.com/2016/05/26...ng-nomination/

Rally goers react to Trump, lack of protesters


Posted: May 26, 2016 6:03 PM PDT
Updated: May 26, 2016 6:03 PM PDT
By Samantha Harrelson, Reporter

http://kulr.images.worldnow.com/images/10651327_G.jpg

BILLINGS -Thousands of people waited in long lines to get into the Trump rally today. Some, waiting longer than others. The group at the front of the line got to Rimrock Auto Arena at 10 p.m. Wednesday night.

Ryan Parker was a part of that group, he is from Canada, and is not even sure he supports Trump, but wanted to be a part of the process.

"Canada is completely engaged in this American election just like the rest of the world. And if you can have an opportunity to see somebody in your back yard, to be a part of it, to understand what people are thinking, how they're feeling, and actually to just be a part of it, I think that it's a win win situation," said Parker.

While most at the rally were supporters, there were also many who are just curious about the presidential candidate and those who want to see what is a historical moment.

If anyone was concerned about protests, there have really been none to speak of.

"People of Billings and the surrounding areas in the state of Montana can be extremely proud of their respect of this potential president. There were no people in there protesting. They were all courteous. I think that's probably a first for Donald Trump. But that's Montana for you," said Sandy Petersen, who attended the rally today.

While there was a area for protesters to set up outside, there were only a few.

http://www.kulr8.com/story/32077932/...-of-protesters