Political Tribune

2024, Donald Trump, Opinion, Politics

Trump Brags About Not Having Empty Seats As Cameraman Goes Rogue And Fact-Checks His Rally Size In Real Time

The headlines practically write themselves.

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At a rally in Greensboro, North Carolina yesterday, former President Donald Trump took to the stage to talk up one of his favorite topics: the massive size of his crowds. As he boasted in a very low energy voice about not having “any seats that are empty,” a surprising turn of events unfolded. Unbeknownst to Trump, a cameraman in the press pool zoomed out, capturing the crowd—and revealing sections that were notably less full than he claimed as well as people actively walking out of his speech while he was speaking. In typical Trump fashion, the former president doubled down on his claims, even as real-time footage challenged his narrative.

Trump’s Self-Proclaimed “Record-Breaking” Rally Attendance

Trump didn’t hold back when talking about the supposed unmatched size of his rallies, describing his crowds as the “biggest rallies in history of any country.” He highlighted this rally, claiming it could’ve “filled that place up 20 times” and cited a recent Virginia rally with Governor Glenn Youngkin that, according to him, also had an “incredible” crowd. But as the rally continued, it became clear to viewers at home that Trump’s portrayal might not match reality.

“You don’t have any seats that are empty. You don’t have anything yet. I mean, the one we had today, you missed our beauty,” Trump declared to the crowd.

His commentary on rally sizes and crowd enthusiasm is nothing new. Trump frequently claims his rallies are unmatched in popularity, often invoking nostalgia for the 2016 election, where he insists he drew larger, more passionate crowds than Hillary Clinton.

“We went to Iowa and I had 48,000 people, and she had about 300 people… I kept saying, why are we gonna lose?” he recounted, drawing cheers from his audience.

However, with the cameraman’s hilariously timed zoom-out capturing visible empty seats, this event may go down as one of the few times a real-time “fact-check” challenged his narrative about crowd size.

Polling Shockwaves in Iowa: Harris Leads Trump in the Latest Iowa Poll

While Trump boasted about his rally size, a new poll might be more concerning to his campaign than empty seats. According to a recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted by Selzer & Co., considered one of the most reliable polling firms in the nation, Vice President Kamala Harris is leading Trump in Iowa—a traditionally red state where he’s been favored.

The Selzer poll, with a reputation for accuracy and precision, has raised eyebrows, given Iowa’s critical role in predicting broader electoral trends. Political analysts consider Iowa a key early indicator, and this poll showing Harris ahead could signal trouble for Trump across other battleground states.

Ann Selzer, the pollster behind the survey, shared her insights on the findings: “The numbers reflect a shift in sentiment… a sign that voters may not be as firm on Trump as the campaign believes.”

Many see this as a significant red flag, suggesting that if Trump’s support in a state like Iowa is waning, it could have ripple effects on other swing states. Polling analysts are closely watching Selzer’s methodology, with some pointing out that a Harris lead in Iowa could redefine campaign strategies for both parties.

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Selzer Polling Expert Analysis and Trump’s Response

In response to the unexpected poll numbers, Selzer emphasized the importance of accurately measuring sentiment and the rigor involved in polling to capture real voter perspectives HERE.

“This is not the sort of fluctuation we usually see at this stage,” Selzer explained. “It’s reflective of genuine movement within the voter base that could have a substantial impact on how campaigns approach key issues.”

Trump’s response to the poll has been dismissive, brushing off the results as an outlier. Yet, with Selzer’s reputation for accuracy, even some in his inner circle are reportedly concerned. A misstep in Iowa could foreshadow challenges in other must-win states, underscoring the strategic importance of maintaining momentum here.

Trump’s Complicated Relationship with the Media and Crowd Sizes

Throughout the rally, Trump kept up his ongoing feud with the press, which he frequently refers to as “fake news.” Although he briefly mentioned a newfound “lightness” in his relationship with the media, his rally remarks showed that his distrust remains intact.

“There they are. That’s a lot of fake news. That’s a hell of a lot of fake news. The fakers, I call them now. I’m sort of lightening up,” Trump joked to the crowd.

Despite his harsh words, Trump’s relationship with media coverage has played a pivotal role in his rise to fame and influence. He has used media attention to amplify his messages, even when the coverage is critical, drawing energy from his portrayal as a media outsider. His followers often rally behind him, citing his willingness to call out the press as one of the reasons they find him appealing.

Social Media Reactions

Here’s how people responded on social media to Trump’s low energy rally video:

Related Stories from Polinews on Trump’s Crowd Size Obsession

  1. Trump Falsely Claims Record-Breaking Rally Turnout Amid Growing Questions on Campaign’s Strategy
    This article examines Trump’s exaggerated claims regarding rally sizes, especially as concerns grow about his campaign’s ability to connect with voters on key issues.
  2. Trump Continues to Brag About ‘Largest Crowds’ While Campaign Struggles in Battleground States
    This Polinews story dives into Trump’s ongoing focus on crowd sizes, despite his campaign lagging in critical battleground polling.
  3. Crowds and Controversy: Trump’s Obsession With Rally Sizes Exposes Campaign Weaknesses
    The article analyzes Trump’s preoccupation with crowd size, which some strategists say could be distracting his campaign from addressing the issues most pressing to voters.

The Big Picture: Will Empty Seats and Polls Derail Trump’s 2024 Bid?

Trump’s persistent fixation on crowd sizes, combined with unexpected polling setbacks, could have serious implications for his 2024 strategy. As the campaign progresses, addressing polling and voter concerns may become more crucial than rally turnout. The Iowa Poll is an early sign that voters may be leaning away from the former president, and with a close eye on his response, analysts are wondering if Trump’s rallies can keep up with the realities of the shifting political landscape.

Featured image via screengrab

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Shay Maz

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Shay Maz has been a political writer for many years. This is a pseudonym for writing; if you need to contact her - you may do so here: https://x.com/SheilaGouldman

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