Hillsdale students attended Trump’s last campaign rally. Sarah Katherine Sisk | Collegian

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Now-president-elect Donald Trump hosted his final campaign rally Monday night, and some Hillsdale students went to witness the historic conclusion. 

Attendees stood in line for hours Monday afternoon but Trump didn’t arrive until 12:15 a.m. Tuesday. He spoke until after 2 a.m. and concluded his campaign in Grand Rapids for the third consecutive time. 

“It was a very typical Trump rally,” said sophomore Drew Bennet, a member of the College Republicans. “He started off talking about how he was kind of sad because it was his last rally. He was kind of emotional, I think, just recognizing, ‘This is it, no matter what.’” 

Michigan state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, who represents part of Hillsdale County, said he didn’t want to miss Trump’s last rally.

“I backed Trump for a long time,” Lindsey said. “Part of it’s because I believe he’s the only presidential candidate in a very long time who has represented a political movement that really is about returning the government to a role of serving the people rather than being this top-down monstrosity that is trying to run people’s lives.”

Ryan Wilder, a sophomore at Southern New Hampshire University, said he went because he thought it would be fun.

“You’re with people who share similar thoughts and ideas and beliefs,” Wilder said. “It’s nice to be around people like that. And I want to see Trump. That’s kind of cool, too.”

Wilder said he’s voting for Trump because he has the necessary qualities of a president.

“I think we need someone who can put their foot down,” Wilder said. “There’s a lot of conflict in the world right now. I think we need someone in charge who’s strong and is a leader. And I just don’t see that right now.”

Attendee Kevin Cunningham, head golf professional at Innsbrook Country Club, said he came to the rally because of how important the 2024 election is.

“If he doesn’t win the election, I don’t think Republicans are going to win an election for a long time,” Cunningham said. “So I just think supporting him, it’s important to be here.”

Cunningham said he admires Trump for his strength of character.

“I just love him,” Cunningham said. “He fights for what he believes in. He’s not afraid to stand up to all the big politicians who just want to control the country and power. He’s a strong figure, but I’m a big supporter.”

Lisa Hotstetler, a nurse at Three Rivers Health and candidate for Vicksburg’s school board, said she has been a Trump supporter since 2016 because he has upheld conservative Christian values.

“He’s against abortion,” Hotstetler said. “He’s pro-family. He’s pro-small business and he cares about people owning their own home. And he’s for the freedom of religion!”

Heather Grant and Jessica Singh headed to the rally immediately after their shifts at Kent County Sheriff’s Office. Singh said they wanted to come show their support for Trump.

“It was super last-minute,” Grant said. “We were at work and we were like, ‘Let’s go. Let’s try.’”

Grant said she is supporting Trump this election because of his strength as a leader.

“I like what he stands for and how he fights for his country, not just for certain groups,” Grant said. “Especially the assassination attempt — when he was shot, he got right back up and was yelling, ‘Fight!’ I feel like any other person would have ran.”

Sherri Hannah, now a nurse at Ascension Borgess, lost her job in November 2021 for refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Hannah said she supports Trump particularly because of the change he promises to bring to the medical field. 

“The fact that he’s bringing Bobby Kennedy up to tackle some of the Big Pharma and some of the immunizations dealing with autism and chronic disease — I think it’s awesome,” Hannah said. 

Hannah said she has voted for Trump in all three elections because he prioritizes what she considers the most important issues.

“I am so against abortion,” Hannah said. “I want my borders to be closed. I want safety for my girls — I have two girls — I don’t need them attacked by an illegal immigrant. I don’t want men in women’s sports. I could go on and on.”

Kassim Abduba, an international student from Kenya studying at Grand Valley State University, said he attended the rally to see the inner-workings of American politics.

“I think it’s cool that people are waiting for their president just to hear his goals and what he has to share,” Abduba said. “I can compare and contrast with my home culture. People here are so calm and civilized. People can say anything, they can be pro-Trump or not.”

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