On Monday, President Trump held a campaign rally at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Ed Fry Arena, located about an hour east of Pittsburgh, which drew a large crowd of enthusiastic young people and students.
The event took place in the 6,000-seat arena within the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, where the venue was packed to capacity, with an additional thousand supporters gathered outside in an overflow area.
Earlier in the day, Trump made two stops in western Pennsylvania—first, a listening session with farmers, followed by a visit to a grocery store where he assisted a family with their purchases.
Reporter Salena Zito, who accompanied Trump throughout the day, shared that supporters greeted him along his 100-mile motorcade route, which traveled through country roads and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Before his rally in Indiana, PA, Trump will be visiting the Sprankles store in Kittanning, PA! Word started going around a few hours ago. This is the crowd around an hour ago! pic.twitter.com/if7RWsixRq
— Raymond (@Raymond1297025) September 23, 2024
The rally also featured a Trump Force 47 volunteer recruiting booth positioned at the entrance of the arena, part of the campaign’s broader effort to secure votes in Pennsylvania.
OANN’s Daniel Baldwin posted video footage of the packed arena, while TribLive’s Haley Daugherty captured the overflow crowd outside. Photos also showcased pre-show speakers, including Sean Parnell, Lee Zeldin, and Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).
Packed house in Pennsylvania.
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) September 23, 2024
The Trump Special. pic.twitter.com/LK0w19ir0Y
Spirits have remained high as supporters dance the “YMCA” in the parking lot of Trump’s rally. The former president is about 40 minutes late for his speech in Indiana, PA. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/SWsdvDzaHI
— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) September 23, 2024
President Trump took the stage about an hour after the scheduled 7 p.m. start time, receiving a rousing welcome from the crowd with chants of “USA! USA!” The event’s lighting, featuring a bank of red stage lights, added a colorful tone to Trump’s appearance.
Secret Service agents stood ready at the stage’s staircases, hands on the railings, prepared to act if necessary. During his speech, Trump called out Vice President Kamala Harris, exclaiming, “You’re fired!”
Trump is set to return to Pennsylvania on Sunday for a rally in Erie and will be back on October 5 in Butler, Pennsylvania, at the site of a July 13 assassination attempt that tragically killed supporter Corey Comperatore and severely injured David Dutch and James Copenhaver. Trump also has scheduled events in Michigan on Friday and Wisconsin on Saturday.