Trump’s rally crowds appear to be shrinking as election draws to a close

In Pennsylvania and Georgia, Trump faces smaller audiences with some venues only half-filled


News Desk November 05, 2024
Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump speaks as he participates in a town hall presented by Spanish-language network Univision, in Doral, Florida, US on October 16, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS

As Election Day neared, former President Donald Trump’s rally crowds appeared to be shrinking, with several recent events showing fewer attendees than usual. In rallies across swing states like North Carolina,

Pennsylvania, and Georgia, Trump has faced noticeably smaller audiences, with some venues only half-filled and supporters leaving during his speeches.

Trump, who has built his political brand on drawing massive crowds, has often prided himself on the enthusiasm and size of his rallies, even exaggerating their numbers at times.

Historically, his events have attracted large, passionate crowds, with thousands of supporters often unable to fit inside venues.

However, in the past week, this trend seems to have shifted.

At a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, for example, the arena was only about 70% full, and at his subsequent rallies in Pennsylvania and Georgia, empty seats were visible throughout the events.

In some cases, people started leaving while Trump was still speaking.

This dip in crowd size is notable given that Trump has typically drawn huge numbers, even in remote areas. His rallies have been a core component of his campaign strategy, providing a platform to energize his base and project strength.

However, as Election Day draws closer, some observers have questioned whether these smaller crowds reflect a loss of momentum for the campaign.

Trump’s campaign has downplayed the significance of the smaller crowds, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissing reports of dwindling attendance as "pathetic" attempts by the media to undermine his movement.

Trump himself has refused to acknowledge the reduced turnout, continuing to claim that his rallies are "full" despite the evidence to the contrary.

The decline in crowd size may stem from several factors. For one, many of Trump’s core supporters may have already cast their ballots through early voting, reducing the need to attend rallies.

Additionally, Trump has visited some of the same venues multiple times, and frequent visits might have lessened the novelty and excitement for some attendees.

Despite the smaller crowds, Trump’s team remains confident, citing high turnout in rural areas and pointing to the success of his endorsements, including one from popular podcaster Joe Rogan.

Despite the dip in crowd sizes, Trump remains steadfast in his focus on rallying his base, with several more planned stops before Election Day.

On the other hand, Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic rival, has focused on contrasting her message of unity and change with Trump’s divisive rhetoric.

Harris and President Joe Biden’s campaign has seen a rise in early voting among key demographics such as young voters and African Americans, with polls showing a tight race in battleground states.

Trump’s recent rallies have continued to feature his familiar themes: harsh criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of immigration and the economy, and promises to restore what he calls American greatness.

In contrast, Harris has emphasized a vision for the future, promising to uphold democratic values and prioritize policies that benefit all Americans.

With Election Day just days away, both campaigns are making a final push to rally voters and solidify their support in crucial swing states, where every vote could prove decisive.

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