— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Hans Madsen
One of Trump's supporters who attended the former president's rally Saturday at Fort Dodge Senior High cheers after one of his remarks.

FORT DODGE — In the middle of the long line of people waiting to hear former President Donald Trump Saturday morning in Fort Dodge was someone who at first glance looked like Trump himself.

Cameron Searcy, of Boone, came to the event wearing a blue suit, white shirt, red tie and a wig that mimicked Trump’s hairstyle.

“I like the attention,” he said. “That’s what it is.”

He said he has worn his Trump costume to the Iowa State Fair, the Iowa-Iowa State football game, a political rally in Sioux City and parades in the Des Moines metro area.

What kind of reaction does he get?

“Much of it is good,” he said.

The notable exception appears to be Secret Service agents.

“The Secret Service — I don’t think they like me,” he said.

Searcy said he likes Trump’s policies

“Let’s start with our military,” he said. “If we brought everyone back home and only sent them out when we have an issue than we would save billions, maybe trillions.”

Jolene Rosebeck and Kevin Arrowsmith were near the head of the line waiting to get in the back door of Fort Dodge Senior High. Both are from Waukee and were in line by 10 a.m., well before the doors were to open at 12:30 p.m.

“I like all his policies,” Rosebeck said. “He tells it like it is.”

“If Trump was president, we would not have all these illegal immigrants coming in,” she added.

Arrowsmith said he read Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal,” and considers him to be an excellent negotiator.

“I think right now the world needs his negotiating ability,” Arrowsmith said.

When the doors opened, the crowds were funneled through security checkpoints and into the gym.

The Trump campaign paid $2,530 to lease the gym, according to Lydia Schuur, communications and community relations specialist for the Fort Dodge Community School District.

Inside the gym, the timer on the scoreboard was set to 2024, the year of the presidential election.

The score was set at 45-47, an apparent reference to the fact that Trump was the 45th president and would be the 47th president if he is elected again.

A large banner behind the podium featured an outline of the state of Iowa with the words Trump Country printed over it.

There were some preliminary speakers. One of them was state Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, who is the leader of Farmers for Trump. He concluded his remarks by doing a verbal impersonation of the Star Wars character Yoda.

State Rep. Jeff Kauffman, R- Wilton, also spoke, During his brief remarks, he described anyone who kneels during the national anthem as a “disrespectful little s- – – -.”

Trump walked into the gym at 3 p.m. to the tune of “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood.

Trump Saturday morning in Fort Dodge was someone who at first glance looked like Trump himself.

Cameron Searcy, of Boone, came to the event wearing a blue suit, white shirt, red tie and a wig that mimicked Trump’s hairstyle.

“I like the attention,” he said. “That’s what it is.”

He said he has worn his Trump costume to the State Fair, the Iowa-Iowa State football game, a political rally in Sioux City and parades in the Des Moines metro area.

What kind of reaction does he get?

“Much of it is good,” he said.

The notable exception appears to be Secret Service agents.

“The Secret Service – I don’t think they like me,” he said.

Searcy said he likes Trump’s policies

“Let’s start with our military,” he said. “If we brought everyone back home and only sent them out when we have an issue than we would save billions, maybe trillions.”

Jolene Rosebeck and Kevin Arrowsmith were near the head of the line waiting to get in the back door of Fort Dodge Senior High School. Both are from Waukee and were in line by 10 a.m., well before the doors were to open at 12:30 p.m.

“I like all his policies,” Rosebeck said. “He tells it like it is.”

“If Trump was president, we would not have all these illegal immigrants coming in,” she added.

Arrowsmith said he read Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal,” and considers him to be an excellent negotiator.

“I think right now the world needs his negotiating ability,” Arrowsmith said.

When the doors opened, the crowds were funneled through security checkpoints and into the gym.

The Trump campaign paid $2,530 to lease the gym, according to Lydia Schuur, communications and community relations specialist for the Fort Dodge Community School District.

Inside the gym, the timer on the scoreboard was set to 2024, the year of the presidential election.

The score was set at 45-47, an apparent reference to the fact that Trump was the 45th president and would be the 47th president if he is elected again.

A large banner behind the podium featured an outline of the state of Iowa with the words Trump Country printed over it.

There were some preliminary speakers. One of them was state Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, who is the leader of Farmers for Trump. He concluded his remarks by doing a verbal impersonation of the Star Wars character Yoda.

State Rep. Jeff Kauffman, R- Wilton, also spoke, During his brief remarks, he described anyone who kneels during the national anthem as a “disrespectful little s- – – -.”

Trump walked into the gym at 3 p.m. to the tune of “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood.