President Donald Trump returned to one of his strongest political strongholds Friday night, but the scene inside a Mobile arena was noticeably different from the massive crowds that helped fuel his rise a decade ago.
Trump addressed thousands of supporters at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Center on Oct. 2 as Republicans scramble to protect their congressional majorities in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Despite Alabama’s overwhelming support for Trump in three presidential elections, photographs from the rally showed conspicuous stretches of empty seats, including rows in the upper level and sections directly behind the president.
The Mitchell Center can accommodate roughly 10,000 people depending on the event configuration.
The less-than-capacity crowd created an awkward backdrop for Trump, who opened his appearance by reminiscing about the enormous rally he held in Mobile during his first presidential campaign in 2015.
That event drew tens of thousands of supporters to Ladd-Peebles Stadium and became an early symbol of the enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s insurgent campaign.
“It sort of all began here,” Trump told supporters Friday.
More than a decade later, Trump is no longer the political outsider promising to shake up Washington. He is a second-term president asking his supporters to help Republicans maintain control of Congress — and the visible gaps inside the arena underscored the challenge of turning his personal following into enthusiasm for candidates whose names are actually on the ballot.
Trump insisted his trip to Alabama was primarily about thanking voters.
“They said, ‘Why are you going to Alabama? Why are you going to Oklahoma? Why are you going to Texas?’” Trump said.
“In the case of Oklahoma and Alabama, I’m here to say hello. I love you, and I’m coming really as a sign of respect.”
But Trump also overstated the size of his victory in the state.
The president told the audience he had carried Alabama by 55 points in 2024.
Official election results show Trump received about 64.6% of the vote compared with approximately 34.1% for Democrat Kamala Harris — a landslide victory, but a margin of roughly 30.5 percentage points rather than 55.
Trump repeatedly urged supporters to vote Republican in November even though his own name will not appear on the ballot.
“Pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he told the crowd.
That request highlights one of the GOP’s biggest challenges heading into the midterms: whether voters motivated by Trump will show up with the same intensity when he is not personally running.
Several Alabama Republicans joined Trump at the rally, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor, and Rep. Barry Moore, who is seeking the Senate seat Tuberville is giving up.
Trump also promoted Republican state Rep. Rhett Marques, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.
The district is being closely watched nationally because Republicans view it as a possible pickup in their battle for control of the House.
Figures won the seat for Democrats in 2024 after years of litigation over Alabama’s congressional map resulted in the creation of a second district where Black voters had a meaningful opportunity to elect their preferred candidate.
Trump also used his speech to revive his promise of a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if Republicans keep control of Congress.
“With your support for a Republican House and Republican Senate on Nov. 3, here is what we are all going to do very quickly,” Trump said. “I will issue a Trump dividend of $5,000.”
No nationwide $5,000 payment has been approved by Congress, meaning the proposal remains a political promise rather than an established government benefit.
Trump also recognized conservative activist Laura Loomer, who traveled to Alabama with his entourage.
“A great Republican strategist, a great person, a killer when she’s angry at you,” Trump said while acknowledging Loomer from the stage.
The Alabama appearance is part of an increasingly aggressive campaign push from Trump as Republicans try to avoid the historical pattern in which the president’s party loses congressional seats during midterm elections.
And while Trump remains overwhelmingly popular among Alabama Republicans, Friday night provided a striking visual reminder that enthusiasm surrounding his political movement may not look quite the same as it did during his dramatic rise in 2015.
For Republicans, the real test will come Nov. 3.
Trump has already proven he can turn out Alabama voters for himself. Now he is asking them to do the same for his party when his own name is nowhere on the ballot.
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