A cheering crowd listens as Pres. Trump speaks at his Thursday campaign rally. Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News

Thousands gathered at Pitt-Greenville Airport Thursday during an enthusiastic campaign rally for Pres. Donald Trump. 

Thursday’s event was Trump’s seventh visit to North Carolina during the 2020 presidential campaign. Though the president was not scheduled to speak until 1 pm, rally-goers began gathering on the tarmac much earlier, with the gates opening at 10 am. 

Precautions against the spread of COVID-19 were in evidence, as all attendees were subjected to temperature checks, and signs encouraged rally-goers to wear masks. 

The crowd had a longer than expected wait, but they greeted the president enthusiastically when his plane landed around 1:20 pm. 

Trump spoke for well over an hour, touching on familiar campaign refrains such as immigration, the economy and taxes. The president also touted his administration’s response to the pandemic, and criticized NC Gov. Roy Cooper for his coronavirus response, and encouraged residents of the state to express their opposition for continued shutdowns to the governor. 

“North Carolina, tell your governor ‘Open up this state, open up the schools,” Trump said. 

For Kinston residents Michael and Vickie Robinson, Thursday’s rally was a chance to see the president in person for the first time. Michael Robinson said he wanted to attend the rally due to what Trump has accomplished during his term in office.

“Trump’s done more in four years than others have done in eight years,” Michael Robinson said. “I think everybody needs to experience coming to one of his rallies and hearing what he’s got to say.”

Vickie Robinson said she was most impressed by Trump’s passion and his vitality following his hospitalization with COVID. 

“It shows that he’s resilient, he’s a man of his word. You may not always like how he presents himself, but you have to look past the person. Trump is not a politician. He’s a businessman who exudes so much common sense,” Vickie Robinson said. 

Following his remarks, Trump got back on board his plane, and was soon back in the air, heading toward Miami, FL for a televised town hall event. 

As attendees left the airport on shuttle buses to satellite parking sites, they saw dozens of protesters holding signs in opposition to the president.