In an event filled with unexpected twists, former President Donald Trump’s rally in California’s Coachella Valley left many of his supporters stranded for hours in sweltering conditions.
The Saturday rally, which took place at Calhoun Ranch, was marred by delays and confusion as attendees found themselves waiting for transport back to their vehicles. Reports from multiple sources suggest that some attendees were even asked to pay for return bus rides, though details on this remain unclear.
The event, which Trump claimed drew 100,000 supporters, was held under a permit from Riverside County that capped the attendance at 15,000. Despite these limits, supporters were bussed into the rally, situated roughly five miles from where they had parked.
However, after Trump concluded his 90-minute speech around 7 p.m., many attendees discovered that return buses were nowhere to be found. With temperatures soaring to 93°F, people expressed frustration over the situation on social media.
One attendee shared a video clip, stating, “Apparently the buses are no longer coming. There used to be like 20 buses when we were brought here, but now there are only three buses operating.” Another rally-goer mentioned that it was taking up to 30 minutes for each bus to make a single trip back to the parking area.
Police lights flashing in the background, social media videos showed disgruntled attendees, some of whom were elderly, visibly upset as they waited for hours.
The Tennessee Holler, a local news outlet, highlighted that many of those stranded were seniors, who were particularly vulnerable in the hot conditions.
Earlier in the event, a man was arrested outside the venue on suspicion of carrying a weapon and having multiple IDs. Law enforcement officials suggested that this individual might have posed a threat to Trump, marking it as the third assassination scare in recent months.
Additionally, Trump faced a heated encounter with a heckler during his speech, further adding to the tense atmosphere.
The rally has sparked a wave of criticism online, with some commentators questioning Trump’s organizational capabilities.
“He can’t run a rally, and you think he can run the country?” wrote podcaster Ryan Shead on social media. The Twitter account Republicans Against Trump also weighed in, highlighting how attendees were left in the lurch: “Thousands were stranded after the Trump rally. He provided buses to bring people in but didn’t make sure they could get back.”
As of now, Trump has not publicly addressed the transportation issues. However, he took to Truth Social to boast about the rally’s attendance, asserting his influence in a state where polls show he trails significantly behind current Vice President Kamala Harris.
While the Trump campaign has yet to clarify the situation, speculation over the handling of the event continues. The unconfirmed reports regarding potential charges for bus rides have only added to the growing scrutiny surrounding the rally.
Whether these were due to logistical oversights or financial demands remains unclear, leaving attendees and observers with more questions than answers.
