This is cnn newsroom. It was controversial before it even began, but Donald Trumps reelection rally in tulsa, oklahoma, was marked by some stunning moments. First, the crowd size. Substantial, but as you can see, not packed to the rafters as the president promised. In just two hours he defended confederate monuments in a city that saw a massacre of black americans, and he tried to position himself as the champion of minorities versus his probable opponent in november. America should not take lectures on Racial Justice from joe biden, sleepy joe. A man who praised and partnered with segregationists, shipped millions of black american jobs overseas. Virtually every policy that has hurt black americans for half a century joe biden has supported or enacted. Ive done more for the black community in four years than joe biden has done in 47 years. Mr. Trump also said he told officials to slow down coronavirus testing so theyd find fewer cases. Later an Administration Official said he was kidd
Have White House Reporter jonathan lemire, columnist and editor of the Washington Post, msnbc political analyst euGene Robinson. Nbc news correspondent and host, kasie hunt. And historian john meacham. The author of the forthcoming biography of john lewis, entitled his truth is marching on, which accomplishes in october. We look forward to that. We have a lot going on this morning. The president leaves for arizona this morning. Jonathan lemire will be traveling with the president. He can tell us what to expect. Senator Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell is planning to hold a vote for a gop Police Reform bill this week. But democrats may try to block the measure and House Democrats looking to subpoena attorney general bill barr, kasie hunt will be reporting on those stories and much more. An emotional seen at talladega as nascar drivers and crews rally behind Bubba Wallace one day after a noose was found in his garage stall. Look at that. Beautiful moment well be talking about that as well
As previously announced, all attendees are given temperature checks before going through security at which they are given wristbands, face masks and Hand Sanitizer. From our experience coming into the arena, we did get those temperature checks. We were given wristbands. Heres mine here. In addition to that, there was the offering of Hand Sanitizers and masks but once you get inside this arena, those masks are optional, and there are very few people who are here as rally goers that are actually wearing those masks. We did spot one person wearing a mask connected to the Trump Campaign, and that is Campaign Manager brad. He did a quick run through the arena not too long ago. He was wearing a mask. However, the president s son, eric trump, was also up here. He did a few local media interviews. He was not wearing a mask. So, its very hit and miss depending on who youre talking to and depending who those folks are. Most folks here in the press area are wearing masks, but we have to keep in m
For it, which the Supreme Court ruled is a protected action by the u. S. Constitution. Perhaps his most stunning comments had to do with the coronavirus in which he used a racist slur to describe. Have a listen to what he said also about testing for the virus. You know, testing is a double edged sword. Weve tested now 25 Million People. Its probably 20 Million People more than anybody else. Germany has done a lot. South korea has done a lot. They called me. They said the job youre doing. Heres the bad part. When you do testing to that extent youre going to find more people. Youre going to find more cases. So i said to my people, slow the testing down, please. Mr. Trump there revealing that in the face of the pandemic that has killed 120,000 americans he told officials to slow down coronavirus testing. A white house official did later tell cnn the president was, quote, obviously kidding as if that was something to kid about. Mr. Trump also barbed protests that have been going on nationw
Since the event was announced it has been marred by controversy. The rally will be one of the largest indoor gatherings in the country since the covid19 pandemic began. The cdc guidelines classified this kind of event where people are traveling from all over as high risk. However, masks will not be required tonight and no social distancing measures will be in place. The rally was originally scheduled for yesterday juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The date was moved to today. But the location was also controversial. This bok center is less than a mile away from the citys greenwood historic district. It was once known as black wall street before it was destroyed in 1921 by a white mob in one of the worst cases of racial violence in american history. Priscilla thompson is in the greenwood section of tulsa today. Priscilla, what are residents and Business Owners telling you about the president holding his rally there today . Reporter well, alicia, eve