While people began lining up outside the University of Akron’s James A. Rhodes Arena to see Donald Trump as early as 2:30 p.m., sounds of an acoustic guitar cut through the chatter.
Kraig Moss, a musician from New York, played outside for the waiting crowd, singing original songs like Let’s Make America Great Again and Trump Train, some of many on his entire CD dedicated to the presidential candidate.
Moss has been seen at Trump’s events around the country this campaign season, entertaining people waiting in lines and telling them the story of his son, Rob, who died of a heroin overdose in 2014. He believes Trump’s deportation proposal will prevent illegal drug flow into the country.
“He gets it all. He sees the problems,” Moss said, answered by cheers from the crowd. “He will be the president of the U.S., I guarantee it.”
Moss was among many in the predominately white crowd of mixed ages, both male and female, who came expecting Trump to deliver on a variety of issues that resonated with their personal lives.
Things were peaceful throughout the day with the exception of a few quiet protesters outside the building once the doors opened up and people were allowed inside.
The crowd got worked up while waiting in line, though, when chants like “lock her [Hillary Clinton] up” and “build that wall” began.
A similar energy echoed into the building and throughout the night as the crowd erupted in “boos” whenever Clinton or President Barack Obama were mentioned.
Many were weary of the country’s current political and economic state and believed Trump would change things for the better, sharing a dislike for the alternative candidate.
“I like that he’s not a politician and I have a hope he won’t be a liar,” said Joann Drost from Oberlin.
Drost has three sons who were in the military, two of whom are disabled and one who is still on duty. She hopes Trump will make it easier for military veterans to receive their benefits.
“I do have firsthand experience with how long it’s taking to be on waiting lists for surgeries,” Drost said.
With her was her friend’s daughter, Elizabeth McDermott, a 19-year-old from Amherst.
McDermott plans to cast her first-ever presidential vote for Trump.
She’s already begun political activism, as she volunteered for the Republican National Convention in Cleveland back in July.
“He’s 100 percent better than the alternative,” McDermott said. “He cares about Americans and that’s the only reason he’s running.”
Another first-time voter at the rally was Roger Gibson from Strasburg.
Unlike McDermott, though, Gibson’s had plenty of opportunities to vote.
But the 70-year-old has been motivated to take the plunge this year, he said, because of Trump’s honesty and unconventional political tactics.
“This is the first time in my whole lifetime that we could actually elect a president who would change things and it not be rigged,” Gibson said.
Gibson says he likes many of Trump’s ideas, including those on border control, trade and health care.
He follows Trump loyally, watching Fox News from “morning till night.”
“I love the idea about vets going to whatever doctor they want,” said Gibson, a military veteran himself.
Many other attendees were military veterans or supporters, like Jim Murphy of Youngstown, who served in the U.S. Army for seven years.
He believes the “current administration dismantling the military is absolutely uncalled for.”
“I believe Trump will strengthen the military. He won’t do deep cuts like Obama,” Murphy said.
Alongside Murphy was Kenny Brantley, an African-American from Cleveland, who said his neighborhood has depleted since Obama’s time in office started. He believes Trump will build the economy back up, but more importantly for him, build the military back up.
“One of the first things Obama did was cut military funding,” said Brantley, who said much of his family was in the military. “One of the first things and one of the worst things.”
“I’ve heard him talk about a lot, and I agree with 100 percent of what he says,” said Steve Beale of Stow, another full-fledged Trump supporter, citing particularly his support of Second Amendment rights.
Beale was waiting in line with Kathryn Mumper and Joanne Gross, both of Stow. The three were fierce Hillary Clinton opponents, noting conspiracy theories that link the Clintons to the deaths of political figures.
“It’s kind of funny how nobody is reporting these things,” Gross said.
“All the jobs are going to leave the country. It’s fascism,” Mumper said. “Our country’s in serious trouble.”
As Trump delivered his remarks, he focused heavily on bringing jobs back to Ohio and trade deals, comments that were met with excited cheers from his supporters.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom.