Donald Trump Jr. arrives to Duluth later today, campaigning on behalf of his father, the president, at the height of the 2020 election season.
It's not something the Trump scion could have predicted in midsummer.
On a conference call in July, Donald Trump Jr. posited that Democratic governance in some states would try to "quash events, quash rallies" and do "whatever they could" to present obstacles for President Trump.
Instead, the Republican president's son will appear Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center — in spite of Democratic leadership atop the city, state and its House of Representatives.
Trump Jr. is slated to speak at 5 p.m. in an event capped at 250 people, including staff, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to abide by Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.
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During that conference call earlier this summer, Trump Jr. pitched "the biggest and baddest presidential ground game." He'll be arriving on the heels of Vice President Mike Pence's August visit in support of the GOP ticket to a Duluth shipping dock.
As the News Tribune participated in the call, Trump Jr. angled for workers' support, came across as tough on China, and took up the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
"I'm not sure what looting and burning down inner cities does to honor George Floyd," Trump Jr. said then.
The Trump-Pence ticket is vying for reelection Nov. 3 against Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris. Biden's wife, Jill, was expected to speak about education Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Prior Lake, Minnesota, to celebrate the start of the school year.
President Trump has often spoken publicly about gaining Minnesota after his near miss at the state in 2016. That year, he lost the state to Democrat Hillary Clinton by 44,765 votes, or 1.52%, his second-narrowest loss.
Trump himself later appeared to nearly 9,000 supporters at Amsoil Arena in Duluth in 2018.
Doors for Trump Jr.'s appearance will open at 4 p.m. for those who have registered in advance at events.donaldjtrump.com .
