Supporters of presidential candidate Donald Trump — and protesters — gathered in the field across from the Medical Clinic today to greet the "Stump for Trump" campaign bus.
The bus was scheduled to stay on campus from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Most supporters left soon after receiving free t-shirts and signs from the campaign staff.
Tommy Shaw, campaign bus owner, said he likes "everything" Trump stands for.
He originally bought the bus for his two Maltese dogs. After the dogs' deaths, Shaw decided to use the bus to help candidates — even Gov. Robert Bentley used it during his campaign. Shaw's vehicle was recently commissioned as a Trump campaign bus for Alabama.
"I'm very proud of that," Shaw said. "I'm proud of what we're doing here."
Perry Hooper Jr., chairman of the Central Alabama Trump for President Campaign, said it was his idea to bring the campaign to "God's country." He doesn't know when, but he said the campaign will make another stop in Auburn.
"People love Trump in Alabama, but especially in Auburn," Hooper said. "They believe in a strong military, they believe in a strong economy, they have confidence in Donald Trump, and obviously the students love him."
Austin Phillips, senior in kinesiology, said he has been a Trump supporter since "day one." He's been to rallies for Newt Gingrich and Marco Rubio in the past, but prefers the atmosphere at Trump events.
"He's a different animal," Phillips said.
Both protesters and supporters remained civil throughout the event.
"The Trump campaign can come here, that's fine," said protester Blake Willoughby, senior in political science. "But we as students can't stand idly by and watch it happen if we don't agree with it. We're voicing our opinions the same way they are."
Other protesters think Trump's views do not represent Auburn students.
"Auburn is a family — black, white, Muslim, Hispanic, Asian, whatever — we're a family," said protester Nora Brown, senior in theatre. "Trump does not support that, and I don't like his campaign being on our campus."
Members of the New Age Conservatives, a new group of Auburn students, also peacefully protested the event.
"Our goal is to promote compassionate conservatism," said NAC member Jakob Geiger, freshman in political science. "We want to show people that not every Republican supports hate."
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