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Supporters of Donald Trump came out in droves Saturday to hear the former president speak at a campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, as the GOP front-runner faces ongoing trials in New York, D.C., Georgia, and Florida.
The rally was expected to draw more than 40,000 supporters. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., who spoke ahead of Trump, dubbed it the largest political rally in the state of New Jersey.
Many attendees who spoke to Fox News said they believe Trump could flip the Garden State in November, when he hopes to take back the White House for a second term.
People gather ahead of a campaign rally for former President Trump in Wildwood, New Jersey, Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Rod Delaine, an Amazon factory worker in Staten Island who lives in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital he drove nearly two-and-a-half hours to attend the rally.
People gather ahead of a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Trump in Wildwood, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A New Jersey schoolteacher who identified herself as Anna, said she was motivated to attend because of the state of the economy.
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A large crowd lines up prior to former President Trump’s campaign rally in Wildwood, Saturday. (Emma Colton/Fox News Digital)
Another supporter, who identified himself as Carlos, said he believed the country needed to go back to the way things were under the former president.
“I think this country needs to change — although, we already know what Trump’s all about. So, that change is just going to come right back to us because that’s what we need,” Carlos said. “We need Trump because I don’t think Biden is just getting the job done right now. Some of it’s his fault. Some of it is probably the people around him. But I think we need Trump back to get this country back to where it needs to be.”
People cheer ahead of a campaign rally for presidential candidate former President Trump in Wildwood, Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Asked about Trump’s prospect in November, Carlos pointed to the large crowd gathering and said: “Take a look.”
“There’s probably about six to 7,000 people waiting online and probably more. [The line] goes all the way back to the entrance. So, you’re looking at 35- to 40,000 people at this venue right now,” he said, noting that some people had been waiting since Thursday for the venue to open.”
Another attendee, who identified himself as “Frank from PA,” owns a small landscaping business. He told Fox News Digital his struggling business was a huge factor in supporting Trump.
Anthony Pahopin wears an oversized Donald Trump cap before the former president’s campaign in Wildwood, Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
“Finding help is hard. And the cost of fuel and everything has just been outrageous,” he said, adding that gas has gone up “exponentially” under the Biden administration.
“I’m looking forward to things turning around and getting better again,” he said. “The majority of people that I know in my industry are not fans of Biden, because they’re struggling just like I am.”
Another attendee, who identified herself as Lucille from Forked River, New Jersey, said she felt “hopeful” about the 2024 election. Asked what her biggest concern was this election season, she said: “Immigration” and “closing the borders.”
“Everything else will fall into place,” she said.
People gather ahead of a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Trump in Wildwood, Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Two other attendees – Ronnie Felino and Kate Statlin from New Jersey – told Fox News Digital, “we need him back.”
Felino said the border topped her list of concerns. She said she was “absolutely terrified” and “we need to get this under control.”
Another attendee named Lisa Stelling, who drove from Westcheester County, New York, described herself as a “convert,” despite having come from a long line of liberals in her family.
“It’s just like, something overnight shifted in the culture that I didn’t realize,” she said. “I was taking stuff at face value and the minute the walls came crumbling down, I just started [going] deep into everything.”
She argued that there many others like her whom she dubbed the “silent majority.”
“The secret to Donald Trump winning this year is that there are a whole bunch of silent majority Trump supporters who hiding in the shadows because of all the nonsense that happened,” she said. “They’re going to come out and they going to vote big time.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.
