This past Saturday in Florida, former President Donald Trump appeared in a discussion with right-wing television personality Bill O'Reilly as part of a speaking tour called the "Trump History Show."
Though O'Reilly boasted a "massive crowd" on Twitter ahead of the show, new reporting says the event was anything but packed.
According to the Florida Sun-Sentinel, the entire upper section of the FLA Live Arena, where the event was held, was cleared out, and Trump enthusiasts who bought seats in the section were "upgraded" in light of a widespread availability of unsold tickets.
To make things more awkward, Trump issued a statement through his spokeswoman, Liz Harrington, ahead of the show that read:
"See you in Sunrise, FL, in a little while and tomorrow, Orlando. Big crowds!"
Pictures from the event showed plenty of empty seats.
This should give you an idea- I don’t have an estimate. Each person paid $138 or more - some people paid thousands for VIP access. pic.twitter.com/i43Zr2FB5h
— Brittany Wallman (@BrittanyWallman) December 12, 2021
This should give you a better idea…
Empty Empty Empty pic.twitter.com/ySkgdfaBeO
— jeffrey bielak (@BielakJeffrey) December 12, 2021
Day two of empty seats for Trump and Bill O’Reilly’s “History Tour.” pic.twitter.com/ZIUcUklNJ7
— Zachary Petrizzo (@ZTPetrizzo) December 12, 2021
The pair's second stop on the tour, on Sunday at the Amway Center, also saw disappointing turnout. Reporting from days before that event found hundreds of tickets available on Ticketmaster.
Since the first days of his presidency, Trump's obsession with crowd size as validation has been readily apparent to the public.
That's why many of them didn't hesitate to gloat about the sparse turnout.
Y’all. There was a bigger crowd at my podunk Florida high school graduation. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #aretheywinningyet https://t.co/P1T58A60GH
— Queen O’ The Chaos (@MamaLalaSC) December 13, 2021
Lol looks pretty empty to me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/nusWkeyw1q
— just be nice! (@Carolan46193193) December 13, 2021
Ahh, still so much winning. What with the empty stadium and all. https://t.co/YXageFenBe
— Resistor in Chief (@RQDQ) December 13, 2021
Night one of the Trump-O’Rielly History Tour…
I’ve seen 3rd grade Christmas concerts more packed than this. https://t.co/s5etVEgBQT
— WEEKLEY5⃣8⃣ (@EveryDayWeekley) December 13, 2021
The latest Trump & Bill O'Reilly show in Sunrise, FL. Too bad Barnum & Bailey Circus closed down. https://t.co/Mic6Alsg2t
— Dominic Fruges (@DomFruges) December 13, 2021
😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/p5cCqb94gG
— Tell It (@PoeDameron31) December 13, 2021
Others were amazed that people would pay to hear Trump and O'Reilly speak in the first place.
Brainwash cult pays $138 a head to attend #Trump grift event with Bill O'Reilly.
Donald will hate the pictures of empty seats. #grifters https://t.co/40eApq9410
— Mark (@mark_melbin) December 12, 2021
What kind of insane person would pay $138+ to watch Trump Nd o'Reilly? https://t.co/X0Dx3oOGTe
— Dr Van Halen 🤘 (@Deputy_VanHalen) December 13, 2021
So many suckers... https://t.co/Z8AyXeZ4Cv
— Mad King Mike (2-10) (@KingM91) December 13, 2021
Trump's tour closes out in Texas next week, with two more performances.
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