Donald Trump landed in Harrington by helicopter Friday and was greeted by a crowd of about 2,000 people as he stumped for votes ahead of Delaware’s presidential primary next week.
Trump quickly mentioned how much money he pays to the First State each year by owning more than 375 corporate entities here.
He then moved to decrying the loss of American manufacturing jobs – including in Delaware – saying it has left shells of communities as gravestones to mark their former prosperity.
“You can see it was a thriving place 20 years ago, 10 years ago, 30 years ago and now it’s just been stripped. It’s been stripped and we’re not going to let it happen anymore, folks," Trump said.
Trump transitioned into his typical stump speech, urging the country to build a wall between Mexico and the U.S., bashing Washington politicians and criticizing the GOP nominating process, which could result in a nominee who didn't win the majority of primary contests.
Trump is grasping for every delegate he can to avoid a contested convention in Cleveland this summer, calling on his opponents, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich to leave the race.
“They should both get out. They should. They should both get out. They can’t win. And when they get out, when they get out, we will start with Hillary Clinton like nobody’s ever seen before,” he said.
Just a handful of protesters silently roamed the crowd, waving signs or wearing unflattering masks resembling Trump.
Earlier in the day, the line of people waiting to hear the New York businessman speak snaked around Quillen Arena, with some saying they had arrived just before 6 a.m to secure their spot when security screening began at noon.
“Our system is broken. Our tax system is broken and we need to fix all this stuff and I want somebody that knows that kind of business and Trump is that guy, as far as I’m concerned,” said Paul Yannucci, who drove to Harrington from Georgetown. He says Trump is the only candidate who can solve America’s economic, immigration and educational problems.
Denise Long from Magnolia says she backs his plan to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system by making insurance available across state lines and adding tax deductions for premiums.
“There’s too many people here getting things for free and they’re illegal and meanwhile, veterans and everybody else have to pay out the nose and it’s just not fair,” Long said.
Trump is the first presidential candidate to land in the First State, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders speaking at an event in Wilmington Saturday.
Trump has a strong lead in Delaware according to the only poll conducted ahead of Tuesday’s primary, meaning he could secure all 16 Republican delegates to widen his lead over Cruz.
