Air Force One touched down in Omaha just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the motorcade made its way to the Republican rally already in progress at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.
Mid-America Center is getting packed. Very lively crowd. We saw a signage wave in crowd earlier, dancing, and a lot of energy. People anxiously waiting for @POTUS. 🇺🇸 @3NewsNowOmaha pic.twitter.com/BtWP87q3KI
— Maya Saenz - KMTV (@Maya_Reports) October 9, 2018
Trump mentioned both Iowa and Nebraska to see which state was loudest. He says he loves them both. “They both have a lot of farmers.” @3NewsNowOmaha pic.twitter.com/EHmi3QV4oR
— Maya Saenz - KMTV (@Maya_Reports) October 10, 2018
At the rally, President Donald Trump gave his endorsement to local Republicans running for re-election in the November midterms, bringing some of them up to the podium. He also spoke about today's announcement allowing the sale of E15 ethanol blends year-round.
15 minutes in, President has touched on economy, immigration, trade. Crowd erupts as he mentions “people of Nebraska”. Crowd responds Go Big Red
— Craig Nigrelli (@CraigNigrelli) October 9, 2018
President acknowledges fellow Republicans Bacon, Fortenberry, King in the House. Governor Pete Ricketts then turns podium over to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds
— Craig Nigrelli (@CraigNigrelli) October 10, 2018
Rep. Don Bacon, running for re-election as Nebraska's 2nd district Congressman, spoke ahead of the president's arrival at the Mid-America Center. Congressman David Young, running for re-election as Iowa's 3rd district representative, spoke after Bacon.
RELATED: Iowa Democrats rally in response to President Trump's visit
Protesters gathered outside ahead of the president's arrival. An altercation broke out a few minutes before Trump finished speaking. (WARNING: Video below contains explicit language.)
Entire video of altercation here: @3NewsNowOmaha @griswoldkmtv @CraigNigrelli pic.twitter.com/ky1T1SrUqP
— Alex McLoon (@AlexMcLoon) October 10, 2018
Overall, supporters say they loved what they heard from the President, who spoke on a variety of topics including Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the economy, his potential Democratic challengers in 2020, the border wall and the size of the crowd.
Air Force One departed Eppley within about an hour of the end of the rally.
Wheels up for Air Force One with @POTUS. Great team effort tonight by @SecretService @TrpAOmaha @OmahaPolice @NSP_LtSutter @NSP_CaptScott. pic.twitter.com/vqedzoOs7V
— NEStatePatrol (@NEStatePatrol) October 10, 2018
Watch video excerpts of the rally in the carousel above, or in the 3 News Now app for TV and mobile.
