Former President Donald Trump will host a campaign rally at the Liacouras Center on Temple University’s campus on Saturday, June 22 at 7:00pm. Doors will open at 3:00pm, according to Trump’s website.
The presumptive Republican nominee will highlight how Joe Biden’s presidency is “devastating American families” and how “life is more expensive with Biden in office,” according to event organizers.
On May 31, Trump became the first former president convicted of a felony when he was charged on all 34 counts in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to an adult film actor.
The Temple community shared similar stances following Trump’s felony charges, with most agreeing that Trump is unfit to run for President of the United States, The Temple News reported.
From Temple University President Richard Englert’s announcement on Saturday:
To the Temple community,
In a presidential election year, it is common for political campaigns to hold large-scale events on college campuses. As a public university, Temple has a policy of making appropriate spaces available for rent to third-party organizations for these events regardless of their political party or stance.
You may already be aware that the campaign of former President Donald Trump will be holding an event at the Liacouras Center on Saturday, June 22. The Liacouras Center is managed and operated by a third-party firm for the university, and Temple is not covering any costs associated with this event.
Temple is committed to protecting the First Amendment including freedom of speech and assembly. This means that Temple fosters an environment open to a diversity of thought, opinion and peaceful expression.
The presence of any speaker on campus is not an endorsement from Temple University, just as the views expressed by any speaker do not necessarily reflect those of the university’s administration, faculty, staff, or students. Temple will continue to be a space for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas integral to the election process.
Joe Biden won the state’s 20 electoral votes during the 2020 election. Trump rarely visited Philadelphia during that campaign.
“The great people of Pennsylvania are feeling the effects of Biden’s failed policies where it hurts the most — their wallets. Not only are the people of Pennsylvania hurting financially, but Biden’s pro-criminal and open birder [sic] polices are putting families in harms way,” Trump’s campaign said in a statement Friday.
The Biden campaign responded with a statement from Kellan White, senior adviser for the Pennsylvania Democratic Coordinated Campaign: “Donald Trump is a convicted felon and failed president who spent years running racist campaigns, implementing a racist agenda, and hurting Black communities in Pennsylvania every chance he got.”
For tickets to the rally, you can click here. To watch a live feed of the event, you can click here.
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Screengrab: Right Side Broadcasting Network