Former President Donald J. Trump drew a crowd of thousands to the Santander Arena in Reading on Wednesday night as he made a return to the Keystone State just weeks ahead of the 2024 election. Inside the arena, Trump delivered a passionate speech to the audience, while outside, protesters from local activist groups gathered to denounce his message.
Trump’s speech, which lasted more than an hour and a half, focused on attacking Vice President Kamala Harris and the current administration’s handling of national issues. He emphasized that Pennsylvania would play a decisive role in the upcoming election. “We’re going to win Pennsylvania, and we’re going to make America great again,” Trump declared to a roaring crowd. His message resonated with supporters, many of whom echoed his calls for stricter immigration policies and criticized the economic direction of the country.
As the rally continued inside, outside the arena, groups like Make the Road Action PA and PA Stands Up held a counter-protest, gathering on Court St. before marching to Penn Street, where they voiced their opposition to Trump’s rhetoric.
Paula Contreras, a Pennsylvania voter and member leader of Make the Road Action in Pennsylvania, addressed the crowd, saying, “While Trump and MAGA republicans try to blame all our problems on people who bravely moved to this country for a better life, they’re dividing us and intend to give our tax money to their rich friends. Well, we’re on to them in Reading. This is a Latino-majority city and we’re voting out politicians who sow hate and fuel fear, and voting in candidates who implement real solutions so everyone can live in safety and peace.”
While the protest remained peaceful, the tension between the two groups highlighted the deep political divide in the city, which has a significant Latino population. Many protesters emphasized that Trump’s policies and statements have targeted immigrant communities, particularly Latinos, and that his return to Reading felt like an affront to their values.
Inside the arena, Trump encouraged his supporters to vote early, characterizing the upcoming election as “the most important in our country’s history.” He also reiterated claims that a victory in Pennsylvania would secure the overall election, telling his audience, “If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing.”
As early voting continues across the state, both sides are ramping up their efforts to mobilize voters. Trump’s campaign hopes that events like this rally will energize his base in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, while grassroots organizations like Make the Road Action PA aim to ensure that their voices are heard in opposition to his agenda.
During the rally, Trump also praised Senate candidate David McCormick, calling him a strong leader and encouraging voters to elect him to represent Pennsylvania. However, TaNisha Cameron, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, sharply criticized McCormick’s record. “As David McCormick continues to campaign with Donald Trump, he can’t escape Trump slamming him for ‘managing money for communist China.’ McCormick has invested millions in blacklisted Chinese military companies and he even invested in China’s largest fentanyl producer while thousands of Pennsylvanians suffered. His record is disqualifying,” Cameron said in a statement, further highlighting the contentious nature of McCormick’s candidacy.
With just under a month until the election, Pennsylvania remains a key battleground, and Wednesday night’s events in Reading underscored the high stakes and the passion on both sides of the political spectrum.
