Multiple attendees at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday required medical attention as soaring temperatures and insufficient amenities created dangerous conditions.
The event, held at the Butler Farm Show grounds, drew thousands of Trump supporters who braved extreme heat to hear the Republican presidential candidate speak. According to Accuweather, temperatures in Butler reached 91 degrees Fahrenheit, with a real feel of 101 degrees due to high humidity. Despite a UV index of 10, which is considered to be very high, and a real feel shade temperature of 92 degrees, the rally reportedly provided a lack of shaded areas for attendees.
Scott MacFarlane, a CBS News congressional correspondent who was present at the rally, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday afternoon that there were “medical emergencies left and right.” He also noted the absence of shaded areas for the audience and described “the small pallets of bottled water” as insufficient.
MacFarlane also recounted hearing multiple calls for medical assistance, with shouts of “medic, medic, medic” emanating from various points within the crowd.
Medical emergencies left and right at the Trump rally here in Butler County, PA. They’ve offered no shaded areas in audience .. and the small pallets of bottled water aren’t sufficient
Several calls of “medic, medic, medic” amid crowd
We’re here for @CBSEveningNews pic.twitter.com/rCtNMGpIAm
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 13, 2024
TribLIVE.com reporter Ryan Deto emphasized in an X post the severity of the sweltering heat and the lack of protective measures for attendees. “It is really hot out here,” Deto wrote. “No shade provided for supporters. Several people have passed out.”
Deto witnessed firsthand the severe gravity of the situation, observing medics transporting at least one person away on a cart. He added on X that the event’s photographer had seen multiple individuals “pass out” due to the conditions.
The Trump campaign has not yet released an official statement regarding the medical incidents at the rally. It remains unclear how many individuals were affected or required hospitalization due to heat-related illnesses.
Newsweek has contacted Trump’s campaign for comment via email on Saturday.
It is really hot out here. Temperatures are above 90 with heat index of 94. No shade provided for supporters. Several people have passed out. I saw medics come and take a person away on a cart. Our Photographer saw multiple people pass out. pic.twitter.com/yvrytYAiNW
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) July 13, 2024
The rally, occurring just two days before the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, was part of Trump’s strategy to build momentum for his official nomination. It also served as a platform to critique the Biden administration, with a video playing for the crowd that highlighted President Joe Biden‘s gaffes and questioned his fitness for office, eliciting loud boos from attendees.
Trump, 78, is only three years younger than Biden and has also faced scrutiny about his age and cognitive ability.
The rally’s timing is particularly significant given the recent turmoil within the Democratic Party following last month’s presidential debate that was widely considered to have been won by Trump. Growing speculation and pressure for Biden to drop out of the race have emerged after his lackluster debate performance, though the president has vowed to stay in the race.
Butler County and rural southwestern Pennsylvania, where the rally took place, are crucial for Trump’s election chances. The greater Pittsburgh region is home to the most Republican voters in the state, making this appearance strategically important for the former president’s campaign.
The rally in Pennsylvania comes after Trump has kept a relatively low profile in recent weeks. With the RNC quickly approaching, the former president has been building anticipation around his potential vice-presidential pick, comparing the selection process to “a highly sophisticated version of The Apprentice” in a recent radio interview.
While speculation had arisen about possible appearances by rumored VP contenders such as Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, or North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, sources familiar with the event schedule indicated that none of these individuals were expected to attend the rally.
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