Videos circulated online of supporters leaving former President Donald Trump's rally in Traverse City, Michigan, after the Republican presidential nominee sent a video message announcing he would be hours late due to filming a podcast episode with Joe Rogan in Texas on Friday. This unexpected delay led to a notable number of attendees exiting the event, showcasing the impact of scheduling conflicts on political rallies. The situation highlights the precarious balance politicians must maintain between traditional campaigning and modern media engagements.
At approximately 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC News reporter Megan Lebowitz shared footage on X, formerly Twitter, depicting a "steady stream of people" leaving the venue. Originally, Trump was set to speak at 7:30 p.m., and the tardiness from the campaign reportedly disappointed many supporters. The visual evidence of departing fans raises questions about the effectiveness of such events when faced with unexpected changes.
CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe reported further details around 8:30 p.m. According to O'Keefe, Trump communicated through a video message from his airplane, explaining he needed "to spend more time with Rogan because he needs to win." This message also indicated that Trump’s plane was expected to land around 10 p.m. ET, adding to the confusion and frustration among rally attendees.
O'Keefe's coverage included clips of MAGA supporters exiting the venue, which attracted significant attention on social media. Additionally, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung posted on X at 7:19 p.m. ET, proclaiming, "EPIC: President Trump just wrapped a 3 HOUR episode of the Joe Rogan Podcast! We’re coming now, Michigan." This post, along with a photo of Trump boarding his plane, seemed to emphasize the commitment to engage with the electorate, despite the current hiccup.
Newsweek reached out to Trump’s campaign via email for additional information on Friday. The campaign confirmed that Trump was in Texas for an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, aiming to connect with younger voters through nontraditional media. Rogan’s platform attracts massive audiences, making it a strategic choice for political engagement.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris was reportedly in discussions for an interview with Rogan; however, her campaign announced that the scheduling conflicts during this election period prevented it from happening. This highlights the challenges faced by political figures in aligning their media strategies with campaign schedules.
Trump’s tendency to start rallies later than scheduled and deliver lengthy speeches has been a point of contention. The Harris campaign has previously mocked Trump over supporters leaving his events early. Recently, a social media post from Kamala HQ showcased a video that appeared to show attendees leaving an earlier Trump event in Detroit.
In a follow-up, the Kamala HQ account posted a video comparing Harris’s campaign in Houston to Trump’s rally in Michigan, emphasizing her rally's focus on reproductive rights and featuring a performance from Grammy Award-winning artist Beyoncé. This juxtaposition of events underscores the contrasting campaign styles and messaging strategies employed by both political figures.
As Trump announced on his Truth Social account around 9:45 p.m. ET that his plane was "maxed out speed wise" and expected to land shortly, he ended with a rallying cry for his supporters: "See you soon—MAGA2024!" This statement reflects his commitment to his base, even amid scheduling hiccups.
The upcoming political landscape in Michigan is tight, with both candidates neck and neck in the polls. According to FiveThirtyEight’s tracking, as of Friday, Harris leads by just 0.4 points on average. This data suggests that the state remains a key battleground in the upcoming elections.
Trump has another rally scheduled for Novi, Michigan, on Saturday, coinciding with the state’s early voting opening. Harris will also be in Michigan for a rally in Kalamazoo, joined by former First Lady Michelle Obama. On Monday, Harris and Walz are set to host an event in Ann Arbor, featuring singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers.
Update 10/25/24, 10:32 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.
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