President Donald Trump returned to Ohio on Monday for his second rally in the state in 10 days, touting the size of the crowd as he campaigned for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.
An energetic and lively audience filled the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, with local outlets reporting that rally-goers began lining up hours before doors opened. Some empty seats were also visible in footage from inside the venue.
Hours before the rally, Trump said that a “big crowd” was expected in Ohio.
“Tremendous Response to Radical Left Socialists, Communists, and Lunatics trying to take over our Country. See you later, Ohio!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden introduced Trump, who took the stage for approximately 80 minutes—and was joined by Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted, gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul.
Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno spoke at the rally before Trump’s appearance.
Embattled Ohio Republican Representative Max Miller was also in attendance, receiving a shoutout from Trump during his remarks. “Thank you, Max, for coming,” the president said.
Trump's Monday appearance followed a rally in Vandalia on October 3. With Election Day just 22 days away, Ohio is a key battleground in the fight for control of the Senate and House. Husted is facing Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown in a closely watched Senate race.
What Videos and Pictures Show
Videos from Monday's rally showed supporters gathered inside the Covelli Centre, with guests frequently responding to Trump's remarks with cheers and chants.
The crowd repeatedly chanted "deport" during Trump's comments about immigration and Somali immigrants. Protesters who interrupted the president's speech also drew jeers from the audience.
Several empty seats were visible in the venue. Videos and images provided a snapshot of the crowd and atmosphere but an official attendance figure has not been released. The Covelli Centre can accommodate up to 7,000 people, according to its website.
Trump Targets Ilhan Omar and Somali Immigrants
Trump repeatedly brought up Minnesota during his Ohio rally, directing criticism at Representative Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, and the state's Somali community while discussing immigration and allegations of fraud. His remarks came several hours after federal agents searched Omar's home in Washington, D.C.
The president addressed the search during the rally, distancing himself from the operation before criticizing the congresswoman. "I don't know what they're doing with it, but I can tell you this: She's a disaster," Trump said of Omar.
Trump also attacked Somalia, where Omar was born, describing it as "one of the worst countries anywhere on the planet." He then turned his criticism toward Somali immigrants, prompting rally-goers to chant "deport" multiple times.
Newsweek reached out to Omar's office for comment via email Monday night.
Earlier Monday, Omar’s office condemned the raid as an “outrageous abuse of power.”
“The Congresswoman has done nothing wrong. No president should be able to use the power of the federal government to intimidate his political enemies,” her office wrote in a statement.
The president has repeatedly invoked Minnesota in his criticism of alleged fraud involving members of the state's Somali community. The allegations have become a recurring feature of his broader attacks on immigration and Democratic-led states.
Trump also invoked Minnesota as a warning to Ohio voters, arguing that Republicans must prevent their state from being "plundered, ransacked and destroyed like Minnesota."
He urged voters to support Husted and Ramaswamy in next month's midterm elections.
Protesters Interrupt Trump
Protesters halted Trump's speech at multiple points, prompting boos from the crowd and angry responses from the president.
As he has at previous rallies, Trump said the protesters were paid by the left. As one person was being escorted out, Trump told him to "go back home to mom" and called him a "fat guy."
Trump also responded to another interruption by asking the crowd about the flag carried by a protester, wondering if it was Palestinian.
Toward the end of his remarks, Trump brought up Paul, who grew up in Cleveland.
“The protesters, do they not have jobs?” Paul said. “That's all they do—carry signs around while we do the work.”
Trump is scheduled to continue his midterm campaign push Tuesday with a rally in Wasilla, Alaska, before holding rallies in Bullhead City, Arizona, and Kalispell, Montana, on Wednesday. He is also scheduled to campaign in Dalton, Georgia, on Friday.
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Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander and Edward T. Cummins