I have never been to a political rally before, so when I found out President Trump would speak in Omaha I knew I had to go. My friend, EHS alum Kevin Stiles, and I arrived at the airport parking area at 5:00 and boarded a bus to take us to the rally about 15 minutes away. Outside the rally entrance were four or five stands selling Trump merch and a huge line to enter the rally.  We waited in line for about an hour and a half, but it wasn’t too cold yet so it was fine,  Once we reached the entrance it was about 6:50 and people were complaining because there was a list of things people couldn’t bring in like signs, outside food and drink, cigarettes/vapes, or lighters so they had to either throw them away or find a good hiding spot for them which made some people we were standing near kind of mad. Senior Amanda Miller said it was hectic getting into the rally. “We got there a little late, like 5:30 and it was very cold, and we waited in line for 2 hours,” Miller. 

Once we were in the rally area I was amazed to see it already packed with people. We were offered hand warmers and we tried to find a decent spot to stand. Governor Pete Rickets was speaking as we found our spot and we stood and listened to him before taking in the atmosphere and people around us. Music played to pump up the crowd and I was in awe as his plane landed and by this point seeing anything was difficult, I’m only 5’2 after all. The President eventually took the stage to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”  The crowd kept shifting in front of us, blocking our view, so we kept having to move, but at least we were able to hear what he had to say.

Miller said she arrived later and it took longer for her to get in to the rally. “We got there at like 5:30 and got in right as he landed at 8,” Miller said. “We couldn’t see him at all and my friend and I had to jump to try and see him. At one point these two random strangers lifted my friend up so she could see. It was very fun listening to him and being around a bunch of people that support him and have the same opinions and beliefs.”

Even though I was excited to see the President, I was a little uncomfortable because a lot of people weren’t wearing masks, but I wore one because I have a job and school and I don’t want to get anybody sick. 

Miller said she also wore a mask but said she respected the decision of those who chose not to. “I think it’s people’s choice if they wear a mask or not, but I do because I don’t want to get anyone sick,” Miller said. “People were in close proximity so I don’t think it was smart.” 

The President’s remarks about Democratic candidate Joe Biden and China left me in shock because it was information that the media isn’t covering, such as Biden and his son Hunter’s connections to China. Overall, Trumps remarks weren’t what I expected to hear but it left me with a better understanding of the situation.

Leaving the rally was an experience for sure. We waited for almost 2 hours, for the buses that were supposed to take us back to our cars. The wait was only supposed to be about 15 minutes. A lot of people started walking, including in the street, which backed up traffic and made it difficult for the buses to drive. Finally two buses made and one of them was going where we were parked. I was told if we didn’t get on that bus we would have to walk back, so I pushed our way onto the bus. For me personally it wasn’t that cold, but, at one point, I could barely feel my toes.

Miller said she was able to get out of the rally easier than others.

“We just ran,” Miller said. “We were in the back so we got out pretty easily. Once we saw all the people lined up for the buses we just ran our way to the back of the line and pushed our way onto the bus.” 

Overall, my first political rally was a great experience and I would definitely do it again. The people were extremely sweet and all seemed to have good intentions. It was an experience to remember.

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