AUSTIN, Texas – Former President Donald Trump was in Austin on Saturday for the American Freedom Tour. It brought together conservative voices for a days worth of events at the Austin Convention Center.
Tickets ranged from $9 to $5,000. Some Texans paid the price, while others supported from outside or sold merchandise.
Joey McKeown drove up to Austin from San Antonio. He’s with a group called Bikers For Trump, which supports re-electing the former president to the highest office in 2024.
“I want to finally see him in person,” McKeown said. “I’m a big fan of his.”
But his support doesn’t come with doubts.
“Like Biden, [Trump’s] up in age,” McKeown said. “He may have all the strength right now, but you’re talking 2024, plus you add another four years, and add that on top of his age now. I love the guy, and I’ll support him if he does run, but I have concerns.”
Others aren’t so concerned. Meredith Langford of Belton, a city between Austin and Waco, said she bought a ticket to support conservatives and the former president.
“He supports our rights and backs up the American people and has our best interest at heart, for sure,” she said.
And if he were to run again in two years, Langford said she’d support him. Alanna Clair drove up from Kyle, a city south of Austin, to sell custom stickers. She didn’t buy a ticket and spent her morning trying to beat the heat.
Clair wants to see former President Trump run with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis or South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, instead of former Vice President Mike Pence. Former President Trump’s visit to Austin, which can be known to some as a more liberal city, doesn’t surprise her.
“There is still a huge red front here in Texas, no matter where they’re coming from,” she said. “Since the airport is close, I’m sure they’re flying in as well, so it’s great that we’re able to be in a state that he is.”
And whether the supporters were outside or paid to go inside, the sentiment was the same: They want to see POTUS 45 in the White House once again.
“Trump 2024, hopefully,” Langford said.