AF1 was wheels down at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport at 5:24 p.m. after a short and uneventful flight. A crowd of supporters, some wearing MAGA caps, was waiting on the tarmac.
POTUS deboarded the plane at 5:37 with Toomey and a couple others behind him. Per the White House, greeting the president were:
Lou Barletta
Former United States Representative from Pennsylvania
Tom Marino
Former United States Representative from Pennsylvania
POTUS waved at the supporters but didn’t go over to greet them. He entered the Beast and motorcade will be rolling shortly for the Scranton Cultural Center, where tonight’s town hall will be held.
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Motorcade arrived at the Scranton Cultural Center at 5:53 p.m. after a brief drive.
Motorcade passed a slew of protesters holding signs that read “Dump trump” and “Weld 2020.” A handful of protesters held miniature Trump baby balloons. One electronic sign read
“Scranton is Joe Biden country.” Closer to the event hall were some supporters holding a big Trump/Pence sign.
Pool now entering the event hall.
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Fox News’ Martha MacCallum took the stage at 6:23 and asked the audience to be respectful during the event. Bret Baier took the stage a few minutes later and again urged attendees to listen respectfully. “We want you to have fun, we want you to applaud, but this is different than a rally,” he said.
Potus took the stage at 6:32 to loud applause and a standing ovation. He is seated in a tall white chair across from Baier and MacCallum on a red-carpeted stage, with several dozen people seated behind them. He and Baier are both dressed in dark suits with red ties.
There are about 600 people here, we’re told. The hall is ornate, with large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and intricate wallpaper featuring drawings of lions, dragons and birds, and has a fairly intimate feeling.
Earlier, Kellyanne Conway and David Urban, who was a senior adviser to the Trump campaign in Pennsylvania in 2016, walked into the room and got a round of applause from the audience, most of whom stood to take photos. “Thanks for taking care of our president, Kellyanne,” one person shouted. From where pool is holding in a second floor balcony, we couldn’t see or hear what she responded. People lined up to take photos with her.
The town hall is airing live on Fox News.