Trump bashes Tester, touts policies at rally

President Donald Trump had all eyes in the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls riveted to him Thursday the second he walked out from behind the curtain, greeted by the applause and chanting of thousands of people attending his rally.

The crowd cheered, "U.S.A., U.S.A," even after Trump stood behind the podium.

Trump told the crowd he was proud to be standing in a room filled with, "proud, hard-working American patriots," adding that he wished he could bring screens and speakers for those who were still standing outside, unable to get in because of the number of supporters.

Trump was joined by his son Donald Trump Jr., U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., Republican Montana Auditor Matt Rosendale who is challenging U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., in his bid for a third term, and others during the rally.

Rosendale vs. Tester

Trump said they were there in support of Rosendale, who he said had run an "incredible" primary.

"He is going to be your next senator," Trump said.

Tester's campaign disagreed.

"Montanans want someone who will roll up their sleeves and go to work fighting for Montana," campaign spokesman Chris Meagher said in a release after the rally. "Jon's record is clear - if it's good for Montana, Jon works with anyone from either party to get things done. If it's bad for Montana, he'll stand up to anyone. East Coast developer Matt Rosendale is only looking out for himself and whatever out-of-state special interest group that is propping up his campaign with cash. We can't trust him to defend Montana."

Trump shook Rosendale's hand as he walked up on stage to address the cheering crowd.

"We have an incredible president," Rosendale said.

He added that Trump fights every day for the people of the nation and to bring businesses and industry back into the nation.

"(Trump) speaks for those whose voices can't be heard, including the unborn, and I will do the same," Rosendale said.  

Rosendale added what's good for the nation is good for Montana, and they "will make America great again."

Trump then took back the stage and said Rosendale is a "good man and loves the people of Montana" and, together, they will defeat Tester.

VA flap

Trump said Tester is two-faced.

"Jon Tester says one thing when he's in Montana, but I will tell you, I will attest to it, he does the exact opposite when he goes to Washington," Trump said. "A vote for Jon Tester is a vote for Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and the new leader of the Democrat Party, Maxine Waters.

"Tester doesn't share your values, Jon Tester showed his true colors with his shameful, dishonest attacks on a great man, a friend of mine," Trump said. "A man that I said, 'Why don't you run the VA, you'd be great,' Navy Admiral Ronny Jackson."

Trump said the Secret Service wrote a report saying that what Tester had said about Jackson was untrue, that the concerns Tester raised had never happened.

"They could've ruined a lesser man," Trump said.

He added that he felt guilty for getting Jackson involved in the world of politics and that Jackson would have been great. He said Jackson said had no real desire to run, but did it out of love of country and love of the president.

After Jackson was nominated, Tester and the VA Committee chair, Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., sent a letter to the White House asking about issues people who had worked with Jackson raised. When no reply to the letter was received, they delayed his confirmation hearing.

Tester then took the issues, including claims Jackson, who was physician to the president, drank on the job, over-prescribed medication and created a hostile work environment, to the press.

Shortly after, Jackson withdrew from the nomination.

Tester has stood by his decision to go to the press, saying he wanted answers from Jackson about the questions.

Isakson also has stood by the action.

Supporting veterans

Trump touted laws passed for veterans while he was president.

"We passed a landmark VA accountability law, that everybody said could not be passed ... has not been able to be passed for 45 years, and we just got it passed," Trump said.

Trump added that if doctors won't take care of U.S. veterans that they will be fired. He said the country was not taking care of them, that the waiting periods for patients at the VA were causing them more harm than good, and that he suggested that veterans just go to regular hospitals and doctors to receive care and treatment.

"I got it passed," he said.

The VA Accountability and Whistleblowers Protection Act and the VA MISSIONS Act which the president was talking about were pieces of legislation Tester sponsored.

Tester's votes

Trump said Tester was against the tax cut bill that passed last year, which he said has already helped Montana families greatly, as well as against eliminating the estate tax, which he said would allow families to pass down family properties and homesteads to the next generations.

Trump said Tester has also shown support for abortion and voted no on Kate's Law, which is legislation proposed after Kathryn Steinle was shot dead by an illegal immigrant. The legislation would increase penalties on violent illegal immigrants who re-enter the country.

Trump said Tester also voted against Trump's travel ban.

He added that Montana should vote for a man who has Montana values and votes accordingly, such as Rosendale.

"You deserve a senator who doesn't just talk like he's from Montana, you deserve a senator who actually votes like he's from Montana," Trump said.

Border issues

Trump added that open borders will result in higher crime.

He said the state of Montana had worked on eliminating the methamphetamine made within the state and had been successful until the drug cartels saw an opening in the market and brought with them a rise in crime rates.

Trump said he will fight to protect ICE as well as Border Patrol, fire departments and law enforcement.

"They protect us; we will protect them," Trump said.

Trump added that last week the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of his travel ban and said it will help in keeping America safe.

Speakers support Trump, bash Tester

Debra Lamm, chair of the Montana Republican Party, said during the rally that 90 percent of Americans are receiving larger paychecks because of Trump's tax cut bill and that unemployment is at an 18 year low nationally. She added that Trump will be able to get the wall on the U.S.-Mexican border built and accomplish even more in the years to come despite the Democrats efforts to stop the Republican Party.

Lamm said Tester will be pushed out of office and that the party will do it with Rosendale, a man who stands with Trump and who will push the Trump agenda. She added that everyone should get out and support their candidates, knock on doors, make calls and aid in getting them elected.

Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton said people have to make sure the country and the state are safe for commerce and that trade is very important for Montana. He said he supported Trump renegotiating trade deals and that like Trump "we must dare to do great things."

He compared Trump to President Ronald Reagan and said Trump is taking on the big ideas. He added that we should all stand with Trump for more freedom and lower taxes.

Stapleton said Montana's job is not over, that the state needs to bring back money to schools and to keep working hard.

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox said Tester needs to be voted out of office. He said if Tester is a "part-time farmer," as he claims to be, he is a part-time senator and that is not who should be in office. Montana needs a senator that is fully committed to the position, he said.

Tester, who is a third-generation farmer on land west of Big Sandy, is the only active farmer in the Senate.

Fox said Trump has made promises and that he has kept promises. He added that Former President Barack Obama had abused his power of executive order and that Trump is working to correct all the damage done.

Donald Trump Jr., Daines and Gianforte spoke in support of Rosendale.

Trump Jr. said he has a long history of coming to the state for hunting, fishing and camping trips and loves Montana. He added that in Washington, Tester has the name of "Two-Face Tester," because he tells Montana one thing and goes to the capital and does another.

Daines said he thanks God that former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton didn't get into office and he thanks the people of Montana for "making America great again." He added that Gianforte has "drained the swamp" in the House and that he has protected Montana's way of life.

Gianforte said Trump has given this country hope again.

"God bless you and God bless this country," Gianforte said.

Trump Jr. said the country is winning for the first time in a long time and that President Trump puts America first. The country is better off today than 18 months ago., he added.

He said the Democrats cannot argue with the results and "hate is not a platform." Those who oppose Trump only do so because they don't like him personally and not what he actually does, Trump. Jr. said. He added that Tester has fought Trump on everything the president has been working for and is lying about Trump selling public lands. He said Republicans want to leave the next generation the American that people know today.

Montanans thrilled to see the president

People waiting to get into the rally said they were excited to see the president in person.

Great Falls residents Katherine and Joe Stark said they had been waiting to see him since 11:30 that morning and that their enthusiasm was still high. They said Tester blew it with trying to derail the president.

"Trump never loses," Joe Stark said.

Katherine Stark said Trump knows how to succeed.

"You don't get to be a successful businessman without doing what you say you're going to do," she said

Kalispell residents Mark and Stephanie Johnson said they were also excited to hear the president speak. Mark Johnson said Trump is doing a great job.

"It's an honor to see him and a great opportunity," he said.

Bob Wilson, Joshua Wilson, David Wilson and Wayne Brown were all standing in line together waiting to see Trump at the rally.

David and Joshua Wilson, former residents of Havre, said they appreciate a president who would come to Montana and let everyday citizens be able to come see him rather than just the elite.

"(I) support him because he supports the Second Amendment," Joshua Wilson said.

"God first, country next, liberty, and a big thank-you to President Trump for coming," they said.

They said they like Trump because he supports Christian beliefs and Christian policies.

Great Falls resident Wayne Brown said he supports Trump because he is bringing Christianity back into the White House.

"He is going to make this one nation under God," said Bob Wilson, also from Great Falls.