This preview is for anyone deciding whether to go to Sioux City on Thursday. It covers logistics and takes no position on any candidate.

What it is and who is behind it

The official event page calls it a "Midterm Rally in Sioux City, Iowa featuring President Donald J. Trump." It is paid for by Trump 47 Committee, Inc. The page's text-message terms describe that group as a joint fundraising committee of Never Surrender, the Republican National Committee, the federal accounts of state Republican parties including Iowa's, and Save America. The page also says the event is "Not Authorized by any Candidate or Candidate's Committee."

As of Oct. 19, the event page lists no speakers other than Trump. Iowa Public Radio reported on Oct. 16 that speakers had not been announced.

In a Truth Social post quoted by The Gazette, Trump said he would be in Iowa on Oct. 22 and Nov. 1 to "get truly fantastic Warriors elected." He named Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, governor candidate Zach Lahn, and U.S. House candidates Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Joe Mitchell, Zach Nunn and Chris McGowan. Mitchell says he plans to attend and speak at both Iowa rallies. Other appearances are not confirmed.

Other candidates are on the Nov. 3 ballot in each of these races. The Iowa Secretary of State's candidate list has every name. For example, it also lists Democrat Josh Turek and Libertarian Thomas Laehn for U.S. Senate, and Democrat Rob Sand for governor.

When

Thursday, Oct. 22, Central time, per the event page:

  • Doors open: 2:30 p.m.
  • Program begins: 4:30 p.m.
  • Remarks begin: 6:00 p.m.

Plan for a long day. At the 2022 rally at the same airport, doors were set to open at 2 p.m. The event got started at 4 p.m., and Trump, scheduled for 7 p.m., arrived a little after 7:30.

Where

Sioux Gateway Airport, 2403 Aviation Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51111. Reports on Oct. 15 and 16 said no venue had been announced (WOWT, Iowa Public Radio). When we checked the event page on Oct. 18, the venue read "To Be Announced." KTIV reported on Oct. 19 that the RNC had named the airport. The event page does not say whether the rally will be in a hangar or on the tarmac.

How to get in

KTIV reports that an RSVP is required. The form asks for your name, email, mobile number, ZIP code and state, but no payment.

  • Up to four tickets per sign-up.
  • A confirmation text goes to your phone. The page says: "You will not be registered until you verify by phone."
  • The page does not say whether a ticket guarantees entry. In 2022, tickets for the airport rally were first come, first served.

Read the fine print. By giving your phone number, the page says, you consent to "calls and recurring SMS/MMS messages, including autodialed and automated calls and texts" from each committee in the group. It adds: "Donations may be solicited. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe." An "Opt-in" box on the form is optional, but the consent sentence is tied to the phone number, which is required.

Watch the address. As of Oct. 19, The Gazette's story printed "events.gov.com." The event's domain is events.gop.com.

What not to bring

No rally-specific list has been posted. The Secret Service keeps a general prohibited items list, though the page does not say which events it covers. It includes:

  • Firearms, ammunition, explosives, toy guns and weapons of any kind
  • Mace or pepper spray, aerosols and flammable liquids
  • Backpacks and bags larger than 18" by 13" by 7"
  • Coolers, packages, and glass, thermal or metal containers
  • Drones, laser pointers, selfie sticks and range finders
  • Signs larger than the posted size limit (the page lists 20' x 3' x 1/4")
  • Balloons, bicycles, structures, and supports for signs and placards
  • Recreational motorized mobility devices
  • Certain hacking devices, such as Flipper Zero, Pineapple Wi-Fi routers and Raspberry Pi enabled devices
  • Animals other than service or guide animals
  • Any other items deemed potential safety hazards

Parking and traffic: past visits

As of Oct. 19, we found no announced road closures, parking plans or shuttles for this rally. Two past visits offer clues, but they are not this year's plans.

  • Nov. 3, 2022, same airport. Save America paid the city $5,000 to use the airport parking lots.
  • Oct. 29, 2023, Orpheum Theatre downtown. Part of Pierce Street was set to close, and the MLK Ground Transportation Center was set to shut from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Secret Service's direction. Free parking was offered at three downtown ramps and the library lot.

Why Sioux City

The Gazette notes that Sioux City is the largest city in the 4th District, "by far the most Republican" of Iowa's four. Ballotpedia lists the district at Cook PVI R+15. The seat is open. The major-party nominees, Republican Chris McGowan and Democrat Dave Dawson, are running to replace Rep. Randy Feenstra, who sought the Republican nomination for governor and did not win it. Ballotpedia also lists independent write-in candidate Jermaine Decker. The Gazette's analysis is that the stop likely aims to raise Republican turnout for that race and statewide contests.

A second stop on Nov. 1

Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann said on Oct. 15: "He told me that he will be in Iowa on October 22 and November 1." Nov. 1 is a Sunday. As of Oct. 19, The Gazette's updated story said the Nov. 1 site "has not yet been announced." Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

About this preview

TFS News has no tie to any campaign, party or committee and takes no payment from them. No one paid for this post.