Former President Donald Trump rallied supporters for about 90 minutes Monday evening in Indiana, Pa.

He covered familiar topics, namely critiques of his opponent Vice President Kamala Harris, the border situation, migrants and his plan to enact tariffs on imported goods.

A capacity crowd of 5,000 packed the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex during the rally that was the third stop of yet another day spent in Western Pennsylvania.

“If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing,” Trump said during his rally here in Indiana, PA. “It’s that simple.” @TribLIVE

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Trump starts his speech by complaining about Oprah and her interview with Harris.

He also has pointed to himself on the big screen twice and said “look at how handsome that man is”

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 24, 2024

Former President Donald Trump takes the stage in Indiana, PA around 7:45 pm. To USA USA USA chants pic.twitter.com/Ad3uqOBnGu

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 23, 2024

Trump claims that he is up in Pennsylvania polls. Trump is up in some recent polls, but Kamala Harris is up in more. He said the polls can’t be trusted anyway. “Polls are fake, just like these people fake news” gesturing the the media and the crowd booed

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 23, 2024

“Your guns are under siege” — Trump during his rally in Indiana, PA @TribLIVE

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

“I am the candidate of the American worker,” Trump said moments before he mentioned U.S. Steel, which is headquartered in Pittsburgh and could be sold to Japanese steelmaker Nippon.

“We are going to keep U.S. Steel right here in America,” Trump said. “We have to make U.S. Steel great again.”

Trump also mentioned Charleroi again, and what he characterized as a 1,000% increase in immigration to the Washington County borough.

The Haitian immigrants live in Charleroi legally and community leaders and school officials have pushed back against Trump’s claims.

But Trump engaged in a back-and-forth with a rally attendee who said the town was drastically changed.

Outside the rally, people set up lawn chairs to watch the rally outside as dusk fell on the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus and people waited for Trump to take the stage.

Inside, a medley of songs that included AC/DC, Dolly Parton, Elvis and Lynyrd Skynyrd filled the air in between speakers at the rally.

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

People are gathered in the parking lot of the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex to watch Trump’s speech on the big screen. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/Wbce4NBuk6

— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) September 23, 2024

Some waved black-and-gold Trump towels that mimicked the ones used by Pittsburgh Steelers fans.

Some of the “Trump Towels” made it into the arena @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/ZIPD0BNMGs

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Earlier, hundreds of people gathered outside Sprankle’s Supermarket in Kittanning as former President Donald Trump stopped at the store on his way to the rally.

Here in Kittanning as a crowd at least 1,000 strong awaits Trump’s expected visit to Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market. More to come for @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/Va91NVREgT

— jack troy (@jacktroywrites) September 23, 2024

Trump arrived at the store around 5:50 p.m. and stayed for 20 minutes. Security was tight, and vehicles were repeatedly shuffled to obscure sight lines from behind barricades. Two snipers kept watch from atop a school bus parked by the front entrance.

About 50 people, including employees and media, were allowed in the supermarket.

Trump is the first presidential candidate to visit Kittanning since Bill Clinton, according to several residents. John F. Kennedy also visited the borough, they said.

Robert Gill, 40, of Ford City came to the gathering with a bullhorn. He used it a few times, including an attempt to lead the crowd in a prayer for Trump’s protection, he said.

“These are dark times, ” he said, wearing a shirt depicting Trump after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler County.

Not everyone there was all-in on Trump, though. Tim Shafer, a Kittanning resident who calls himself the bravest Democrat in Armstrong County, brought a sign that read “Trump go to prison 2024.”

“I believe in democracy. I believe in the democratic process,” he said. “I don’t like Russian tools.”

Earlier Monday, Trump spent about 90 minutes meeting with Pennsylvania farmers during a stop Monday afternoon near Smithton.

The tour comes as Trump has fallen slightly behind in Pennsylvania polls against his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, though experts still forecast an extremely tight race for Pennsylvania’s key 19 Electoral College votes.

“Nobody’s done for farms what I’ve done,” Trump said at the South Huntingdon farm. The crowd cheered as he talked about a deal with China to sell $50 billion of American-grown products.

A close-up of probably only about 1/4 of the line to get in @TribLIVE @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/l75RrFQHOl

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

I’m at a South Huntingdon farm awaiting the start of an event featuring candidate Trump. There are about 60 chairs set up. There were dozens of Trump yard signs lining the road. https://t.co/IVbfcHUAOp pic.twitter.com/s6CjNE8J2K

— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) September 23, 2024

A mounted patrol unit from the Pennsylvania State Police, secure the perimeter of the Smith family farm in Smithton on September 23, 2024 for a visit by Former President Donald J. Trump. The visit will focus on the threat of Communist China to U.S. agriculture. pic.twitter.com/Onerxdyj0Y

— Sean Stipp (@SeanStipp) September 23, 2024

Farmers from Westmoreland and Fayette counties shared personal stories with Trump. One talked about how his family’s jobs in the energy field have helped maintain their 120-acre farm in Upper Tyrone, Fayette. “Natural gas development should not be a partisan issue,” he said.

Republican Dave McCormick, who is campaigning to unseat Sen. Bob Casey, the Democrat from Scranton, told Trump that royalties from gas wells on farmland have helped buoy family farms.

Many are struggling because of inflation costs, McCormick said. He assured Trump of the support of Pennsylvania farmers.

The former president has thrust this area into the national spotlight when he claimed recently that Charleroi — just 10 miles from Smithton — was being ruined by the town’s small but burgeoning Haitian community.

Trump left Smithton about 4:30 p.m. and was travelling to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for a rally.

People have set up lawn chairs outside of the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex after the doors to Trump’s rally were closed when the Ed Fry arena hit maximum capacity. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/917r09RBfB

— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) September 23, 2024

Security is high, as expected. Rally goers going through metal detectors. Local and state police dotted throughout the arena. I saw some police walking on the roof of the arena.

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 23, 2024

Made it through media security and am inside. Here’s a view of the security screening process for Trump rally attendees in Indiana, PA @TribLIVE @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/0kAnNWPa9z

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Rally draws supporters

from near and far

Among the people who attended the rally were 20-year-old Breanna Cribbs, an Indiana, Pa., native who stepped in line at 1:30 p.m..

She aligns with Trump’s platform for a few reasons, she said.

“I am very pro life,” she said. “That’s a big issue for me.”

She said she likes that Trump is supportive of lowering inflation and handling the “immigration crisis.”

Live view from the Ed Fry Arena on IUP’s campus — where former President @realDonaldTrump is set to hold a rally tonight.

We’re about three hours out. Stay tuned for more @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/UBJIaqBH2f

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

I’m here in Indiana, PA — where former President Donald Trump is set to host a rally tonight.

Line wraps down the street, and we’re still about four hours out from the event.

Follow along with me, @RyanDeto @halzdoc @Massoud151 @KristinaS_Trib for live coverage @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/vgQJmnLsOV

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Line for Trump rally at Indiana PA stretches well over a few hundred yards from the arena, down the block, and around the parking lot. The arena at IUP holds 5,000 with likely more in the floor pic.twitter.com/yJBbnlr1jM

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 23, 2024

Here in Indiana, PA at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex where former President Donald Trump is set to host a rally tonight.

Lines have started to move as doors open to let attendees into the venue.

Follow along at @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/vzjnFBsH39

— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) September 23, 2024

Sulam Jang is a 27-year-old from South Korea. He stationed himself across the street from the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex with a Trump flag.

“I’m not an American citizen,” he said. “I’m a South Korean and flew all the way from South Korea to be here to support (former) President Trump.”

He said he was there because during Biden’s presidency, there has been conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.

“I worry that if it’s keep escalating, there will be total war,” Jang said. “(Those) most likely to go to the front lines would be people like me. Men like me who are young and capable of going to the front lines.”

Jang said he didn’t see the same violence during Trump’s presidency.

Although both of the former president’s visits were in areas filled with his supporters, a few Democrats came out to show their support for the Harris/Walz campaign.

Mitch McCoy, of Armstrong County, came to the rally with a Harris/Walz campaign sign and a shirt depicting Trump behind bars with the caption “make prison great again.”

“He doesn’t deserve to be here,” McCoy said. “He deserves to be in jail. He doesn’t deserve to be in this town.”

Opening speakers

Former congressional and Senate candidate Sean Parnell decried illegal immigration into the country. He cited an illegal immigrant who killed a motorcyclist this week in a hit and run.

Hundreds outside the Trump rally in Indiana PA not being let in. The arena is at capacity. It holds about 5,000. https://t.co/GS3FDGwZvS

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 23, 2024

Former congressional and Senate candidate Sean Parnell decries illegal immigration into the country. He cites an illegal immigrant who killed a motorcyclist this week in a hit and run. pic.twitter.com/aYj0xcPH0w

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 23, 2024

Meet Jeff Bertig, 66, of Indiana, who is volunteering for the first time at a Trump rally, which he said has been “fun” so far.

The arena holds roughly 5,000 people, and he said he was told over 8,000 people signed up for the rally today on IUP’s campus @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/ewiCgzBLdo

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Meet Kelly Davis, 50, of Altman, which is about a 10-minute drive away from the @realDonaldTrump rally on IUP’s campus.

She started waiting in line at 11 a.m. to attend the rally. Trump is set to speak here at 7 p.m. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/Yc30sIqT9d

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Dave McCormick takes the stage to a standing ovation. He said “you will not find more American-loving people than Western Pennsylvania.” pic.twitter.com/W45MCBWRfw

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 23, 2024

Meet Alex Leydic, 20, of Hillsdale, who works as an auto body tech.

He showed up to the Indiana, PA rally today wearing a flag featuring Trump post-attempted assassination. He said he didn’t want to miss the rally @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/yirl77lc7n

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Candidates zero in on region

Westmoreland County voted for Trump in 2020 with 63% of its vote, and 35% to President Joe Biden.

The IUP campus is about 65 miles east of Pittsburgh in Indiana County, a major stronghold for Trump. Indiana County voted 68% for Trump in 2020, while only giving about 30% of its vote to Biden.

The borough of Indiana, home to the university and about 14,000 residents, narrowly voted for Biden in 2020.

Trump has some catching up to do in the race. Harris has edged ahead of Trump in most national polls following the debate, and a Suffolk University/USA Today poll taken last week showed Harris up 49% to Trump’s 46% in the Keystone State.

Harris was also planning a return to the region this week. Reuters reported Sunday that she will deliver a speech in Pittsburgh about new economic policies to help Americans build wealth and provide incentives for small businesses.

Details about Harris’ visit have not yet been revealed.

Onotse Omyeni, spokeswoman for the Harris campaign, said Trump’s visit to Western Pennsylvania should not distract from his record as president which resulted in hundreds of thousands of lost jobs.

“There’s only one candidate in this race who will stand up for Pennsylvanian workers: Vice President Harris,” she said.

Trump inflatable on the way into Indiana for the rally @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/QjIYBDOxLY

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

A close-up of probably only about 1/4 of the line to get in @TribLIVE @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/l75RrFQHOl

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Rally fashion: convicted felon T-shirts are making a reappearance @TribLIVE @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/V0ZvnEowqa

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

Merchants stationed outside of former President Trump’s rally are selling a variety of unique merch@TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/rSXPQxg2u4

— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) September 23, 2024

On the menu here at the Trump rally:

Attendees can buy an assortment of foods, including meatball subs, hot sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, Italian hoagies, chips, nachos and cheese, as well as drink options of water and soda @TribLIVE ???????? pic.twitter.com/sDNUXa6xeJ

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) September 23, 2024

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