Three presidential candidates addressed Republicans in Orange County on Friday. However, the day’s events took on the atmosphere of a rally for former President Donald Trump. MAGA hats were a common accessory and lines to purchase Trump-themed merchandise, including shirts featuring his mugshot with the phrase “Wanted for President,” weaved through the halls during the candidates’ speeches. Women even took photos kissing a cardboard cutout of the former president. Dueling demonstrations clashed outside the Anaheim hotel where the California GOP convention was taking place, each side focused on their support or opposition to Trump.
In terms of attendance, Trump drew the largest crowd for his lunchtime event. Around 1,500 people filled a ballroom, where they were served salads, chicken, and small cakes—making his speech the most expensive of the ticketed speeches. While his speech mainly consisted of conservative talking points without many specifics, Trump pledged to “solve the border problem in 24 hours” and strengthen California’s water supply. He commended California Republicans, such as former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon and Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland. However, he criticized the state for its immigration policies, homelessness, and what he referred to as “woke tech tyrants.”
The Anaheim Marriott, where the convention took place, was swarmed with hundreds of Trump supporters before he spoke. Photographs by Leonard Ortiz and Jeff Gritchen captured the scenes of the event, displaying attendees wearing Trump-related clothing and accessories.
Trump addressed the crowd at the Anaheim Marriott, referring to them as the “last line of defense” against anarchy in the state and assuring them that help was on the way. He promised to put an end to what he called the “desecration” of California and criticized the state for receiving criminals, terrorists, and mentally ill patients. While Trump opted out of the earlier debate in Simi Valley and seemed more focused on the general election rather than the primary, he generated laughter and applause with his jabs at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, claiming credit for turning Florida red.
DeSantis, who was holding his own rally at the Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal in Long Beach, responded to Trump’s attacks. He expressed his willingness to debate Trump one-on-one, stating that a lame-duck president would not be sufficient and that Trump needed to defend his record in person.
Another speaker at the convention was Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who engaged in a Q&A-style appearance alongside CAGOP Chair Jessica Millan Patterson. Scott’s speech took place in a smaller, quieter room and lasted only about 15 minutes, delayed by an hour due to Trump’s prolonged speech. Nevertheless, Scott was energetic and interacted more intimately with the Republicans in attendance. He relied on his faith and belief in personal responsibility, which is typical for him.
Scott began his address by expressing his excitement to be in California and stating that the audience represented the future of the Republican Party. The first day of the fall convention indicated that Republicans in California were unwaveringly supportive of…
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