Politically divided crowd greets President Biden at Lehigh Valley International Airport
Written by Victoria Scialfa on July 29, 2021
Politically divided crowd greets President Biden at Lehigh Valley International Airport
By Megan Frank
July 29, 2021
About a dozen people gathered to watch Air Force One land at Lehigh Valley International Airport on July 28.
Fifteen-year-old Kylie Axelband from Bethlehem attended with her dad. They arrived in a black pickup truck with a large, three-by-five “Trump” flag flying over the truck bed. She says she doesn’t support President Joe Biden.
“I don’t agree with him, but we still want to show him that we still support Trump,” Axelband said.
Biden supporters carried handmade signs and held small mini-flags in their hands. Allentown area resident Tim Gruber says he’s disappointed there were more Trump than Biden supporters there.
“I see that they’re waving a Trump flag. They may feel he’s a patriot. I say no. He only cares about himself,” Gruber said.
When Biden’s motorcade went by, the initially quiet Trump contingent erupted with jeers and a few profanities.
One of the people hollering was Doug Bird from Bath who said he’s a Trump supporter.
“I don’t believe in 90% of what Biden’s Administration is doing,” Bird said.
Some people say they attend all presidential visits, like Bethlehem resident Jonas Pierre who said he has watched the arrivals of every president dating back to the Clinton presidency.
Pierre said he’s a fan of the “Build Back Better” infrastructure and jobs policies that Biden came to talk about.
“Pushing the America-made, building-America, I think it’s great for the country, great for the Valley,” Pierre said.
Spectators cleared out within a few minutes after the motorcade passed by.
Sign up for our WLVR weekly newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news from the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania.
Music