Trump’s Tulsa Rally Was Not Safe

Misbar's investigation shows that US President Donald Trump’s campaign was initially put on hold through the pandemic. However, although Dr. Fauci and other public health officials recommended that all large group gatherings be avoided to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Trump campaign stated on June 10, 2020 that it would begin hosting rallies. The first rally is to be held at the Bank of Oklahoma Center, which seats nearly 20,000 people, on June 19, 2020. President Trump told reporters, “We’re going to start our rallies back up now. We’ve had a tremendous run at rallies… The first one, we believe, will be probably - we’re just starting to call up - will be in Oklahoma, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A beautiful, new venue, brand-new. And we’re looking forward to it. They’ve done a great job with COVID, as you know, in the state of Oklahoma.”

There was immediate backlash against the decision to hold the event on June 19, or Juneteenth, which marks the end of US slavery in 1865, in a city home to the Tulsa race massacre. As reported by Fox News, President Trump later tweeted that the campaign would move the rally until June 20.

However, the gathering still risked exposing its attendees to COVID-19. Reserving a seat required signing a waiver that reads: “By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.”

The waiver, combined with the many people who became sick with COVID-19 after the rally, shows that it was not safe to attend.