The lines started forming before noon Thursday, hours before President Donald Trump’s scheduled 4 p.m. arrival at Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls. As the temperature climbed, more and more red, white and blue-clad Trump enthusiasts milled around the fairgrounds, bearing the chants that would later echo throughout the arena: “Keep America Great” signs, “Lock Her Up” shirts, “Women for Trump” banners and the now trademark “Make America Great Again” hats.
Over the course of the afternoon, more than 6,600 people filled the arena to hear the president speak, along with appearances from his son Donald Trump Jr., U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont. Trump touted last year’s tax bill, military spending, immigration crackdowns and the American economy while decrying the Democratic Party, “crooked” media and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who is up for re-election in November.