“Superspreader Event” Billboard Erected Next to Iowa Trump Rally Site
An anti-Donald Trump group is trying to warn his voters against attending his rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday by erecting a billboard to let them know exactly what they’re walking into. Rural America 2020, an organization that educates Americans on how policies affect rural America, announced on Twitter that they had paid for the billboard ahead of the rally to share a very simple message.
“We’re doing our part to warn Iowans that @realdonaldtrump is in town tomorrow,” Rural America tweeted. “This billboard is directly outside the Des Moines Airport where he will hold his hangar rally. #Superspreader #SuperspreaderTrump #covidiots”
Rural America 2020 is run by Christopher Gibbs, a former Republican Party Chair of Shelby County, Iowa, who has been highly critical of the president’s trade policies. Gibbs, who owns 560 acres of farmland, voted for Trump in 2016 but subsequently left the Republican party, claiming the GOP was no longer the voice of “compassionate conservatism.”
We’re doing our part to warn Iowans that @realdonaldtrump is in town tomorrow. This billboard is directly outside the Des Moines Airport where he will hold his hangar rally. #Superspreader #SuperspreaderTrump #covidiots pic.twitter.com/KtN9SebH4T
— Rural America 2020 (@RuralUSA2020) October 13, 2020
Trump has insisted on continuing to hold rallies despite his recent bout with the coronavirus, which he claims was a “blessing from God” while saying he is now “immune”. The White House’s approach is now one of pushing herd immunity rather than safer masking and distancing protocols. Trump’s team cannot confirm his last negative COVID19 test despite his physician clearing him for travel.
Trump’s GOP supporters are following his lead by turning a blind eye to COVID19 protocols. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds encouraged Trump supporters to register for free tickets for Wednesday’s rally. “Protect Iowa’s future, and show your support!” she tweeted.
Make sure to request your free tickets for the upcoming rally w/President @realDonaldTrump. It will be this Wednesday at 6:00 PM in Des Moines! Protect Iowa’s future, and show your support for President Trump! #Trump2020 https://t.co/x7fef4MLMa
— Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) October 12, 2020
The rally event was met by criticism from Twitter users who fully agree with the billboard’s sentiment.
There's a Trump rally in Iowa today and they reported over 7,500 new COVID cases in the last 7 days. At a population of 3 million, that would be equivalent to California having 100,000 new cases in a week. These people are anti-maskers. Trump is killing Americans.
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) October 14, 2020
Iowa has reported a record number of hospitalizations at 473 today, ahead of Pres Trump's MAGA rally tonight in Des Moines
— Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) October 14, 2020