Donald Trump turned a campaign rally in Pennsylvania into an impromptu dance party, extending his stage presence for nearly 40 minutes with a diverse soundtrack, even as the event was punctuated by two medical emergencies in the audience.
The rally, held in Oaks, Pennsylvania, with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, took an unexpected turn when an audience member fell ill, prompting a pause for medical attention. Amidst concerns about the venue’s heat, Mr. Trump requested music, specifically Ave Maria, to be played while paramedics assisted the individual. An instrumental version of the song filled the hall as the audience member was taken away on a stretcher, but not before raising a fist in the air, a moment captured in an image from the event.
A man raises his fist as he taken away on a stretcher
Shortly after resuming his speech, a second medical incident occurred, with shouts from the crowd emphasizing the sweltering conditions inside. Once again, Ave Maria echoed through the venue as help was provided. Mr. Trump acknowledged the heat, expressing a desire to open doors for ventilation but citing security restrictions. Despite the interruptions, both individuals received attention, and the rally continued. The venue later cited an unexpectedly large turnout and extensive lighting as contributing to the heat issues.
Following these incidents, instead of proceeding with further questions, Mr. Trump declared, “Let’s just listen to music,” and requested his “favorite chart” be displayed. This marked the start of an extended musical interlude. PBS News’s livestream captured Mr. Trump nodding and swaying to Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of Ave Maria. What followed was a 39-minute stretch where, according to an AFP report, Mr. Trump remained on stage for nine songs, alternating between dance moves and simply standing and observing the crowd.
The playlist spanned genres, including classical pieces like Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli’s “Time To Say Goodbye,” and even ventured into soul with James Brown and Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of “It’s a Man’s World.” Video footage widely shared on social media showed Mr. Trump’s swaying and movements, prompting commentary, particularly from political rivals. At one point, Kristi Noem joined in, briefly dancing alongside Mr. Trump as music played.
Kristi Noem and Donald Trump dance at election event
Even after his usual exit song, YMCA, played, Mr. Trump remained on stage, continuing his impromptu music session with tracks like Rufus Wainwright’s “Hallelujah,” Sinéad O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” and Elvis Presley’s “An American Trilogy.” Reports indicate he finally left the stage as Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” began, all while still engaging with the audience as music from Cats played. The diverse musical selection, ranging from pop and country to classical, underscored the unusual nature of the rally’s conclusion.
A close up of Donald Trump dancing at campaign event
While Mr. Trump and his campaign team lauded the event as a “lovefest” and “amazing evening,” the extended musical segment drew criticism from Kamala Harris’s campaign. They questioned Mr. Trump’s fitness for office, with the campaign’s social media account suggesting he appeared “lost, confused, and frozen.” Ms. Harris retweeted a video of Mr. Trump on stage, adding “hope he’s ok,” intensifying the focus on his health and mental acuity as the election approaches. This comes after Ms. Harris released a report declaring herself in “excellent health,” further highlighting the contrasting health narratives being presented by both campaigns. Mr. Trump dismissed Harris’s health report as “really bad” and asserted his own health was “perfect,” despite not releasing a comprehensive recent health report. The exchange underscores the growing scrutiny on the candidates’ health as the election draws nearer. The US election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th.
