Air Force One on the tarmac of Green Bay Austin Straubel Airport on June 25th, 2020. (WTAQ/Casey Nelson)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Supporters and protesters alike made their way to Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport as President Donald Trump arrived in town on Thursday.
Hours before the president likely even boarded Air Force One, there were supporters standing ready to greet him at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport. About 100 people were in line for the town hall with President Trump and Sean Hannity of Fox News at the Jet Air hangar. Roy Harris was one of the enthusiastic people at the front of the line.
“I’ve been up since 2:30 a.m. this morning, we got here at 6 a.m.,” said Roy Harris, “That whole atmosphere is just invigorating. It brings back hope and faith, and that’s what I’m looking for.”
Trump supporter Roy Harris speaks with media ahead of Thursday’s town hall. (WTAQ News/Casey Nelson)
Harris donned a Trump hat – along with a shirt designed with the Constitution and a bald eagle. He was surrounded by others wearing red, white and blue Trump attire – a few gentlemen in suits – and a cowboy.
US President Donald Trump speaks to the crowd at Marinette Marine on June 25th, 2020 (Screenshot/Facebook)
“I love Trump. I can’t wait to see him again. Trump 2020,” said Laura Benesh, “I’m extremely excited. It means the world for me to be here to see our president that I support fully.”
And while it was a first time seeing the President and Air Force One for some, veteran Robert Pointer recalled seeing every president since Bill Clinton make similar walks during his time in service.
“It never gets old. Seeing the plane and seeing the president come down those steps and seeing all of the pomp and circumstance that surrounds it – it’s absolutely a treat,” said Robert Pointer, “I’m glad he’s back in Wisconsin. I’m glad he’s going up to see our great shipyard.”
Pointer called Trump the ‘right guy for the job’ – but no everyone who showed up at the airport Thursday morning would agree. Tom Thurman said he’s voted for several Republican candidates over the years, but finds Trump unfit for the highest office in the land.
“I’ve voted for many Republican presidential candidates over the years, but the past four years have just been shocking. Another four years of Trump and Barr and McConnell, I find terrifying,” Thurman told WTAQ News, “He’s incredibly corrupt, incompetent, divisive – and just overall a pathetic person to be leading this country. And I hope Wisconsin isn’t fooled again.
A protester holds up a sign ahead of President Trump’s arrival to Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (WTAQ News/Casey Nelson)
But even being turned away didn’t deter many from lining the fences to await the arrival of the president.
Meanwhile – a larger group of protesters took to the gravel across from the Jet Air hangar to air out their grievances – demanding meaningful police reform, among other things.
Just minutes before 1:00 P.M. Thursday afternoon – the sky rumbled as Air Force One arrived at the airport, and cheers were heard as Trump exited the plane, and was escorted to the hangar.
A larger group of protesters assembled around the time Air Force One landed. Many of them called out similar rhetoric like “Donald Trump has got to go,” while also pushing for meaningful police reform.
After the town hall, Trump took the Marine One helicopter to address a new multi-billion dollar contract for Marinette Marine to build new frigates for the US Navy.
Trump spoke to a crowd of around 600, most of them shipyard workers, as he touted the shipyard’s recently awarded multi-billion dollar to develop a new class of guided missile frigate for the US Navy.
“It’s like a yacht with missiles on it, okay?” Trump said, “We’re here today to celebrate the resounding victory for all of you, for Wisconsin, for the United States military, and for our entire nation. Our nation is very proud of Wisconsin.”
Marinette Marine will develop the FFGX type frigate. The Littoral Combat Ships it’s been making since 2005 have been discontinued.
“It was looking bleak, you were down to 44 people, getting ready to close up. And a lot of good things came along,” Trump said, “You now have a lot of contracts because of the United States government. You’re going to be so busy. I know you went through a little bit of a hard time, but not anymore…Every single day you prove that American workers are the best in the world. And now you’re going to do things like you’ve never done before.”
Trump then flew back to – and Air Force One took off around 5:30 P.M. Thursday night.
WTAQ’s Casey Nelson and Rob Sussman contributed to this story. A full photo gallery can be found here.
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