GOP’s ‘Trump-a-Palooza’ Convention Off to Rocky Start With Long Lines, Empty Seats, and a Podium Malfunction
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The GOP’s “Trump-a-Palooza” midterm convention in Dallas got off to a rocky start on Wednesday as reporters clocked long lines in the heat waiting to get inside, many empty seats, and the “L” in “Dallas” fell off the podium at one point.
PBS White House Correspondent Liz Landers posted a clip of the American Airlines Center in Dallas captioned, “Republican midterm convention officially kicking off in Dallas.” The clip showed most of the arena’s seats to be largely empty, with a decent-sized crowd gathered on the floor and in the seats closer to the stage.
Critics were quick to share the clip and pounce on the crowd size. “Capacity-wise they could have held this in a high school gym,” wrote former House Democratic staffer Aaron Fritschner. The issue, however, may simply be that the crowd was stuck outside during a heat advisory.
Conservative pundit and political operative Alec Sears posted from outside the convention and noted the long lines. “I’m at the GOP Midterm Convention general admission rally point talking with all the folks not connected enough to be swiftly ushered into the arena,” Sears wrote, adding:
The check-in line is outdoors, and it’s currently 95°.
3 people have needed medical attention so far. Several have already gone home.
I must add the despite the wait and the heat, spirits are high among attendees.
The Texas Observer’s Steven Monacelli also reported on his journey getting inside the arena. “Today I’ll be reporting live from the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, TX, for @dmagazine, which applied for press access but never received a response. Consequently, I will have the general admission experience,” Monacelli wrote on X, adding:
An organizer announced to the snaking line of people waiting for tickets that they can go inside where there are open concessions if they feel faint, and asked everyone to save that space for people who truly feel faint. A heat advisory is in effect in Dallas-Fort Worth.
After nearly an hour of standing outside in the heat I finally reached a vendor cart about halfway through the line. I bought this for $7.
(picture of a Gatorade bottle)
I may have overestimated my progress through the line. I’m approaching hour two of waiting in what feels like 100+ heat and I still have not gotten a credential for the GOP midterm gathering in Dallas. One ambulance has already come and gone.
Monacelli did eventually get inside.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, who is the one who dubbed the event a “Trump-a-Palooza,” had the distinction of speaking as the “L” was missing from the podium. It was restored soon after. The GOP’s unprecedented convention has raised concern among party operatives in recent weeks as Trump’s poll numbers continue to dip into the low 30’s and House Republicans in tight races are skipping the event.
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