President Donald Trump spoke to a sparsely attended rally at The Mitchell Center in Mobile, Alabama, where many seats behind him were empty. He recalled a larger 2015 event and repeated a disputed claim about his margin in Alabama, while urging support for GOP candidates. The program included Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Rep. Barry Moore and congressional hopefuls Jerry Carl and Rhett Marques; Trump also reiterated a $5,000 "Trump dividend" pledge if Republicans control Congress.
Trump Draws Sparse Crowd in Alabama — Empty Seats Highlight Weaker Turnout
Entire rows were empty behind President Donald Trump during his speech at The Mitchell Center at the University of South Alabama. / Jessica Koscielniak / REUTERS
President Donald Trump appeared before a noticeably sparse crowd Friday at The Mitchell Center on the University of South Alabama campus in Mobile, where rows of empty seats were visible behind the podium as he campaigned for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections.
Donald Trump said he traveled to Alabama to thank his supporters there for voting for him in all three elections. / Jessica Koscielniak / REUTERS
The Mitchell Center seats 10,041 people; photographs from the event showed large empty sections even as Trump, 80, delivered an hour-long address to the less-than-full arena.
Republican Senate candidate Barry Moore on stage with President Donald Trump during Friday’s rally. Moore is running to replace Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who opted to run for governor instead of seeking re-election. / Jessica Koscielniak / REUTERS
Claims, Context And Companions
Opening his remarks by recalling a 2015 rally in Mobile, Trump boasted that he once had more supporters than local venues could hold. During the speech he also said he had carried Alabama by 55 points — a figure that contrasts with a roughly 30-point margin reflected in 2024 results.
Seats were sparse on the second level for Trump on Friday night, particularly in the corners behind him. / Jessica Koscielniak / REUTERS
"They said, 'Why are you going to Alabama? Why are you going to Oklahoma? Why are you going to Texas?' ... I'm here to say hello. I love you, and I'm coming really as a sign of respect," Trump said.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment about the empty seats behind the president.
President Donald Trump’s rally was not full, but his No. 1 sycophant, Laura Loomer, 33, attended after hitching a ride from Washington with the president. / Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
Other speakers at the event included Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor; Rep. Barry Moore, who is seeking the Senate seat Tuberville is vacating; and congressional hopefuls Jerry Carl and Rhett Marques. Marques is locked in a tight contest in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, a seat the state GOP recently redrew to favor Republican candidates.
Supporters, Pledges And Reactions
Photographs showed Trump leaving the White House for Alabama accompanied by his close aide Natalie Harp and activist Laura Loomer. During the rally, Trump singled out Loomer and praised her before reiterating a campaign promise to issue a $5,000 "Trump dividend" to every American if Republicans regain and retain control of both chambers of Congress.
Analysts and commentators have questioned the feasibility and political likelihood of such a payout, and some observers noted that the visible empty seats underscored challenges in maintaining momentum as Election Day approaches.
Despite the turnout, Trump and other GOP figures used the event to rally supporters and emphasize the stakes for the upcoming midterms.
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