Trump supporters spend the night outside Van Andel Arena for the first rally since the assassination

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Christena Kincaid of Flint said she had a front row seat to former President Donald Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Kincaid, wearing a red “TRUMP IS RIGHT” hat, was among a line of supporters outside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Friday, July 19, for his first rally since the shooting.

Related: Grand Rapids announces road closures and other details ahead of Trump’s visit

More than 50 supporters – some of whom showed up as early as 6 a.m. Friday – were lined up from 8:30 p.m., sitting on outdoor chairs with drinks, snacks and blankets, hoping to get some sleep overnight.

Others crowded around, waving Trump flags or selling bumper stickers for a dollar and buttons for five dollars.

“I was one of those people there last week,” Kincaid said. She said she had to attend the rally to “help him take back our country.”

Related: Former Secret Service agent: Expect an ‘unprecedented presence’ of officials at Trump’s Michigan rally

Elizabeth Bonoite of Greenville showed up at 10:30 a.m., fourth in line. Her husband, John, arrived later after finishing up some roofing work. Both are longtime, loyal Trump supporters.

“I believe God has a special place for him, and not just in politics,” said John Bonoite.

Like others there, he is convinced that the 2020 election was rigged.

Related: Trump visits Michigan at first public rally since assassination

They had participated in the rally on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC, which ended with the insurrection at the US Capitol. They stressed that Trump did not incite the crowd to violence.

After watching the rally on a big screen, his wife said they wanted to see Trump up close in person “to show our support.”

She and others expressed confidence that Trump can beat President Joe Biden – or any other Democrat if Biden decides not to run.

Biden’s poor performance in the June 27 presidential debate has reinforced that confidence, said Jeb Bordewyk, a Trump supporter from Rapid City, South Dakota.

He has attended 10 rallies. He has met others who have attended many more. He said it is “part of a movement, a very powerful movement, it is as simple as that. It is a powerful movement.”

He supported Trump before his first election – when Trump broke away from a large field of Republican candidates. He said he saw 16 politicians and Trump was the only one willing to fight the establishment.

He said Trump had gained support even after the assassination.

“He doesn’t give up. It’s only through the grace of God that he’s able to be here.”