Actor Dennis Quaid joins Trump at Coachella rally

Dennis Quaid speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Coachella, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

COACHELLA – Veteran actor Dennis Quaid joined former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Saturday at a rally in Coachella, California, known for being the home of the famed music festival.

Quaid, who recently starred in  the biopic “Reagan,” told Trump supporters that the 2024 presidential election is between TikTok and the US Constitution.

“I’m here to tell you that it’s time to pick a side,” said Quaid. “Are we going to be a nation that stands for the Constitution or for TikTok?”

Quaid, the ex-husband of actress Meg Ryan, is known for his roles in films like “The Parent Trap” and “Dragonheart.” He endorsed Trump in early September during his press tour for his movie “Reagan.”

Trump took the stage around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Soon into his speech, he complained about the heat, as the temperature was nearly 100 degrees. He then took a poll to determine if he should put on a hat — his signature red “Make America Great Again” ball cap — which he ultimately did.

He also complained about being called weird. He referred to his term in office, which included the COVID-19 pandemic, as the “greatest four years in our country’s history.”

Although he said he was told the economy was the most important issue, he said he considers the border the number-one issue.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Coachella, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Among the false claims he made was that Harris supported “an army of illegal alien criminals,” and that she “imported criminal gangs” into the country.

“If Kamala gets four more years, the country will become like the migrant camp of San Francisco and L.A.,” Trump said. “Kamala’s turning us into a third-world nation.”

He alleged that a study was taken a few years ago found that 1 in 4 students in Los Angeles County was from a family headed by someone here illegally, and that the number was much higher today.

Among his promises, he said, “On day one, I will close the border and stop the invasion.” He also said he would end sanctuary cities, support universal school choice and cut energy prices in half in his first year back in office. “We’re gonna frack, frack, frack.”

“We will secure our elections like they’ve never been secured before,” he said.

He threatened to withhold financial aid for California forest fires as a bargaining chip in advancing his political agenda.

He also pointed to the press and said, “That is a lot of fake news,” inciting the crowd to stand and give reporters thumbs down.

At one point, Trump had to pause while someone suffered some type of medical emergency. He called for a doctor to respond.

At 6:52 p.m., he stopped speaking, then danced to “YMCA” before leaving the stage.

Trump rarely makes appearances in Democrat-heavy California, mainly attending private fundraisers. Polling data amalgamated by FiveThirtyEight suggests that he trails Harris in the state by approximately 25 percentage points.

One Harris campaign staffer, Ammar Moussa, scoffed on X about Trump’s planned Saturday rally, writing, “Oh no. This is extremely concerning for our campaign. Please do not go to Coachella, CALIFORNIA, 24 days before the election.”

Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez released a statement Monday afternoon unfavorably comparing Trump’s planned rally to a 2020 primary campaign event held by Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom he said the city was “proud to welcome.”

“Trump’s attacks on immigrants, women, the LQBTQ community and the most vulnerable among us don’t align with the values of our community,” Hernandez said. “He has consistently expressed disdain for the type of diversity that helps define Coachella. We don’t know why Trump is visiting near Coachella, but we know he wasn’t invited by the people who live here. He ain’t  like us.”

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, whose district includes the rally site, echoed Hernandez’s sentiment in another statement Monday, calling the rally “yet another demonstration of his cluelessness and ignorance” and Trump himself “an affront to everything that makes the Coachella Valley a vibrant community.” (With CNS report)