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After weeks of boasting stratospheric reservation numbers for President Donald Trump's first rally after a months long pandemic-induced hiatus, the President and his campaign staff are scrambling to spin a turnout of only 6,200 in the 19,000 seat arena.
In addition to the venue being less than a third full, a second address planned by the Trump campaign to the overflow crowd was canceled after the area remained empty.
The campaign is blaming protesters, whom they allege blocked the entrance of would-be attendees. Reports, video and photos from the ground dispute this. Trump himself tweeted the presence of protesters wasn't tolerated.
That may be why Fox News' Chris Wallace was skeptical when Trump campaign advisor Mercedes Schlapp appeared on his show to assure that the rally was, in fact, a success.
Watch a clip of the interview below.
Fox News anchor Chris Wallace was not in the mood for Trump campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp's spin on Trump's poor rally attendance numbers.
"Please don't filibuster... frankly, it makes you guys look silly when you deny the reality of what happened." pic.twitter.com/SAXAzEy2tR
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 21, 2020
Despite fact checks from Wallace, Schlapp insisted that protesters did indeed block and intimidate people from entering:
"I'm telling you there were people and families that couldn't bring their children cause of concerns of the protesters.
"But let me make this clear, Joe Biden has an event with empty folded chairs and painted circles on the floor."
"I'd love to see a Joe Biden rally. Let's bring it on, cause there is no comparison."
Schlapp was referring to a recent speech by Biden which complied with social distancing guidelines and was by no means a rally.
Wallace held her feet to the fire:
"Mercedes, please don't filibuster. Mercedes, please don't filibuster. We're showing pictures here and it shows big, empty areas. Frankly, it makes you guys look silly when you deny the reality of what happened."
Schlapp pivoted yet again to Joe Biden rather than comment on the facts being presented.
Schlapp's husband even tried to defend her claims that families were intimidated from attending.
Really bummed my Mom, sister and nephew canceled their trip to the Tulsa rally at the last minute due to all the concerns of violence. Clearly good people are worried about safety. It's beyond time for America to think about who will reestablish security in our neighborhoods
— Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) June 21, 2020
But after watching her interview with Wallace, people weren't buying it.
"denying reality" is all they got
— RealMoldyWarp (@MoldyWarp) June 21, 2020
She is performing for an audience of one. Trump
— Erik Brock (@EBrock1972) June 21, 2020
Ugh. She sounds like the opposite of intelligent and informative. I'm just grossed out and I suspect Wallace is tired of the lack of knowledge and skill n
— Koko (@KokoHoneyPie) June 21, 2020
yep, her responses were like a meltdown.
— T. Lawrence Larkin (@TLawrenceLarki1) June 21, 2020
@mercedesschlapp You've lost all credibility. Go home and rethink your future!
— Michael N. Marks (@OriginalMNMDet) June 21, 2020
People weren't buying her pivots to Biden either.
🤣🤣🤣 "but Joe Biden, but Joe Biden"
— Johnny Dangerously (@Jfgg81Juan) June 21, 2020
Joe Biden practices social distancing when he talks to "groups" He knows Covid-19 is real and killing Americans.
— Jane Hudson ✌️☮️🕊️🌊😷 (@Janiemart) June 21, 2020
“But Joe Biden" doesn't really explain why the arena was only 2/3 full after trump bragged about how this would be the biggest crowd ever.
— DonnaLou (@d_reynolds) June 21, 2020
Joe Biden would never put lives in danger at any rally.
We have a pandemic..covid 19
This rally should have never happened...
Shouldnt this be called domestic terrorism..
He knowing scheduled this rally...WHY...knowing he put lives in danger
— sally jimenez (@Sjd53Sally) June 21, 2020
The President is expected to speak at a Teens for Trump event of 3 thousand in Arizona tomorrow.