BIRCH RUN, Mich. -- Crowds lined up in Birch Run to hear GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump take the stage in his first Michigan campaign appearance.
The event, which is actually a Lincoln Day fundraiser organized by the Genesee and Saginaw County Republican Party, was sold out with more 2,000 people were expected to attend the standing room only event. Trump took to the stage to give the keynote address inside the Birch Run Expo Center around 7:30 p.m.
Several dozen protesters, organized by the Michigan Democratic Party, rallied outside the event Tuesday afternoon. MDP chairman Brandon Dillon called on the Genesee and Saginaw County Republican Party to rescind Trumps invitation.
“A presidential campaign should be about ideas,but look at what’s going on in their (Republican) primary. Donald Trump leads the polls by insulting people," Dillon told a group of reporters. "On the Democratic side we have people talking about ideas."
Other protesters said Trump's recent comments about illegal immigration, veterans and FOX News host Megyn Kelly shouldn't be tolerated from someone who is running for president.
“I want to show people that while Trump might be leading in the polls and turning out 2,000 people, but not everyone in this state supports the hateful things he has to say," said Sam McNearny. "He’s not going to be my president and hopefully he won’t be the president of anything.”
Meanwhile, in a line stretching around the expo center Tuesday afternoon, supporters for Trump was easy to find. “I am so excited," said Christine Wofford, who held up her ticket with a smile on her face. "I love Donald Trump, I love his charisma, his excitement and his love for the United States of America."
Other supporters, like Michael McGrath, said he already had his mind made up and he'll be voting for Trump. “I mean, Donald Trump’s awesome, he speaks his mind and doesn’t care what anybody else thinks," McGrath said.
