WILDWOOD – Scores of people, most of whom knew they would not be able to enter the Wildwood Convention Center, were there for President Donald J. Trump’s Make America Great Again Campaign rally.
Some media sources estimated a crowd of around 175,000 came out to see Trump, although that number has not been confirmed. The convention center’s website says it can hold as many as 10,000 in all of its rooms.
Among those in the crowd who got to hear his hour-long speech included former Republican Governor Chris Christie and Second District Congressman Jeff Van Drew whose district includes Wildwood. Trump came out to support Van Drew who opposed the president’s impeachment and who switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican shortly afterward.
“Now you have a president that will stand up for you and New Jersey,” the president said during his speech. Many of his familiar catch phrases and topics emerged during the speech which was punctuated at times when he took a pause, by chants of “four more years” from the audience.
Finances was a big topic covered in his speech. “You’ve been losing your ass with 401Ks; now you are making a fortune. I have people coming up to me all the time, I had one man say to me thank you sir for making me look so smart. My wife never had any respect for me and now she thinks I’m a great investor.”
Trump told his supporters that “if you want your children to enjoy the blessings that generations have fought and died for to secure then we must devote everything we have to victory in 2020.”
Taking a swipe at former President Barack Obama, Trump said that medical research concerning the AIDS epidemic was progressing and that AIDS could be cured in the next decade. “We already started the process and it could have been started sooner but the last administration chose not to do it but I chose to do it.”
With your help we will lift millions of our citizens from welfare to work, from dependence to independence, and poverty to prosperity with that beautiful phrase ‘made in the USA.’ For decades we had politicians who that phrase didn’t mean anything to them,” Trump said.
He went on to say, “together we will elect a Republican congress to create a safe, sane and lawful system of immigration. We will defend privacy, free speech, religious liberty and the right to keep and bear arms.” The crowd interrupted the president with cheers of “USA, USA” during that remark.
“Our Second Amendment is under siege. In Virginia they want to take your guns away and that’s just the beginning. Never going to happen as long as I’m president of the United States,” Trump said.
“Above all we will never stop fighting for the sacred values that bind us together as one America. We support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. We stand by the incredible heroes of law enforcement,” Trump said.
Trump said “we believe in the dignity of work and the sanctity of life we believe that faith and family not government bureaucracy are the true American ways.”
“We believe that our children should be taught to love our country, honor our history and to always respect our great American flag. We shall always live by our national motto, ‘in God we trust,’” Trump added. The crowd then filled in his pause with shouts of “four more years, four more years.”
Trump praised the state, name-dropping communities from as north as Morristown to the west in Vineland as south as Camden all the way down to the Jersey shore in Ocean City and Sea Isle, “and right here in Wildwood, New Jersey.”
“This has always been the home of the proud, loyal and very incredible friends. I know them well. They are tough, they are smart, they are great people – they are called Jersey,” Trump said. He recalled some Garden State history noting it as a state that pioneered the boardwalk, diners and the motion picture and noted personalities such as inventor Thomas Edison and singer Frank Sinatra who he described as “a piece of work.”
“This is the state where farmers and factory workers helped build this country…and it will never be greater than what’s coming,” the president said. “Proud citizens like you helped build this country and together we are taking back our country. We are returning power to you, the American people.”
The campaign stop was held on the day that Trump’s legal defense team finished the first phase of their arguments in the ongoing Senate impeachment trial in Washington D.C.
Jersey Shore Online Facebook follower Rafael Adorno gave us permission to publish his photos from the big event. He said “we were seated three rows from the stage. It was awesome to be that close. It was an incredible and amazing experience for my son and I.”
Several news outlets live streamed the president’s speech and social media was filled with comments regarding his remarks. Some of these comments follow, but this newspaper is just publishing the writer’s initials rather than their full name.
BJS said on Jersey Shore Online’s Facebook page that she felt Trump “is doing a really good job even with all the resistance from the Democrats.” She wanted to go to the rally but was unable to as she is disabled.
GW responded asking her how she felt about his wanting to “take SS benefits away from some disabled folks?”
PG wasn’t as complimentary as Sommers. “Oh good, he can stick New Jersey with unpaid campaign bills too.”
“Hope the town of Wildwood knows they should get paid in advance. He doesn’t pay his tabs,” VFN said.
“The circus is in town! Get your tickets,” LL said.
In other social media, “He went there to lie? He could have said that from the White House like he usually does,” DG said.
“Thank you for finally thinking of our vets,” DM said.
“You mean the ones that have a headache but really have traumatic brain injury?” LIT responded.
JL posted two words in all capital letters. “Bone spurs.”
TMH said she had her tickets.
“North Korea meet North Wildwood,” was KC’s remark.
Trump’s speech concluded with his saying, “We will make America great again. Thank you, New Jersey.”
