Clouds and sporadic rain didn’t stop supporters from flooding Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, for President-elect Donald Trump’s “USA Thank You Tour 2016” final stop.
“Rain is good luck,” Trump said. “I never liked this suit anyway, so we’ll throw it away.”
On his second visit to Mobile since running for president, Trump dedicated most of his time on stage to an extensive recount of his first time in Mobile, the night of the vote and those that were fairly involved with his race and eventual success. He referred to the first rally on Aug. 21, 2015 and Mobile as “the place where it all began,” - the beginning of a new conversation.
Trump spoke of the South, specifically Mobile very highly while present, saying that if he hadn’t come out of the election victorious he would have moved to the area. His decision to end the tour in Alabama was justified saying there was no better place to finish the celebration.
Trump didn’t stray from his well-known platform at the rally, speaking about immigration reform, trade reform, cooperate and income tax reform and ‘jobs, jobs, jobs.’
The president-elect won a surprisingly solid electoral college victory, racking up 306 votes-36 more than the required amount to win the presidency. Even though Trump won the electoral college in what he calls a “landslide vote,” Hillary Clinton walked away with the popular vote by nearly three million.
“Every graphic said ‘Road to 270,’ so we figured we would just get 306 just to have a little cushion,” Trump said.
Trump said even if he had lost the election, he was proud of the work he had done with the campaign.
“I don’t feel badly about this, because I worked as hard as you can work,” Trump said. “I worked as hard as you can work. I worked as much as you could possibly, physically do. I don’t think anyone has ever worked harder in the last month of a presidential campaign than I did.”
Alongside Trump were several high-ranking Alabama politicians showing their support for the campaign. The influential voices rallied the crowd, commending the supporters on their commitment to the President-elect.
The lineup consisted of Sen. Jeff Sessions, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, Rev. Franklin Graham, Alabama attorney general Luther Strange, ALGOP Chairwoman Terry Lathan and U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne.
Sessions, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, was introduced as Trump’s special guest, but his name was highly praised by many before his appearance.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange didn’t stray from the theme saying the laws would finally be enforced with Session’s appointment.
Speaking on Session’s future in office Strange said, “There will be no more sanctuary cities. There will be no more picking and choosing of laws we like and we don’t like.”
Strange has been identified as a leading contender to replace Jeff Sessions in the senate once his appointment as attorney general is finalized. Gov. Robert Bentley, who will appoint Session’s replacement was present at the rally, but did not speak.
Trump welcomed Sessions to join him on stage and the crowd roared as the Mobile-native waved and cheered along. Sessions said Mobile played a vital role in the election of Trump and Trump would honor the commitment with change and dedication to the people.
“Mr. President-elect, thank you so much for the opportunity to work with you, the opportunity to see you develop as a candidate, the opportunity to participate in a movement that I believe can help make America great again,” Sessions said.
Trump said Sessions would ensure “safety and justice” for the people.
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