President Trump announced that his reelection campaign has received nearly 1 million requests for tickets to an upcoming rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this weekend.
“Almost One Million people request tickets for the Saturday Night Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma!” Trump tweeted Monday.
Almost One Million people request tickets for the Saturday Night Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2020
The campaign announced last week that it would begin holding rallies again after the often boisterous events were suspended for more than three months during the coronavirus pandemic.
The campaign said it would kick off a slew of rallies with an event in Tulsa on June 19, an announcement that was met with charges of insensitivity to black people.
June 19 is Juneteenth, a holiday honoring the end of slavery in America. It is also the anniversary of one of the largest massacres of black people in the history of the United States, which took place in Tulsa’s Greenwood district.
On Friday, Trump announced he would push the rally back by one day.
“Many of my African American friends and supporters have reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out … of respect for this Holiday, and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents,” Trump said. “I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday, June 20th, in order to honor their requests.”
…of respect for this Holiday, and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents. I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday, June 20th, in order to honor their requests…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2020
Tulsa City-County Health Department Director Bruce Dart told the Tulsa World that the city is still experiencing new cases of the coronavirus and encouraged Trump to postpone the event until after the pandemic completely subsides.
“I think it’s an honor for Tulsa to have a sitting president want to come and visit our community, but not during a pandemic,” Dart said. “I’m concerned about our ability to protect anyone who attends a large, indoor event, and I’m also concerned about our ability to ensure the president stays safe as well.”
The event is scheduled to take place at the city’s BOK Center, a venue that holds roughly 19,000 people. A disclaimer on the campaign’s website warns potential attendees about the danger of contracting coronavirus, which health experts say can be easily transmitted during close-quarter contact with other people.
“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury,” it reads.
On Monday, the campaign said it would give temperature checks, a face mask, and hand sanitizer to every rally attendee. The campaign also warned against fake Craigslist ads calling for people of color to pose with Trump signs at the president’s upcoming rallies.
Trump told reporters Monday afternoon that one of the reasons the campaign chose to hold a rally in Oklahoma was because of Gov. Ken Stitt’s work there combating the coronavirus.
“We’re going to talk about where we’re going, where we come from,” Trump said, according to a White House Press pool report. “We have hot spots, as I said you might. … We’ll take care of the hot spots.”
