VIDEO: Blue, White & MAGA: Trump Fans Flood Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center for Rally

— Former president vows to slash energy costs, lift LNG pause and ‘frack, frack, frack’ —

The first presidential campaign visit of the 2024 election season arrived Saturday in Centre County, with thousands filling the Bryce Jordan Center for former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally.

It was the first time State College has hosted a major rally by a presidential candidate since Barack Obama came to town in March 2008.

“A very big hello to Pennsylvania. Thank you very much. We really give a very special hello to Penn State,” said Trump to kick off his remarks. “We love Penn State, and I’m thrilled to be here, the home of the Nittany Lions, with thousands of hardworking, American patriots.”

Watch: Trump rally in State College, Pa.

The program included remarks from U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga.

“The politicians will tell you only what they think you want to hear in order to get elected,” said Thompson, who represents Pennsylvania’s 15th congressional district, which includes much of central and northcentral Pennsylvania. “Does anyone truly believe (Harris) now supports fracking for energy production?”

Thompson is running against Democrat Zach Womer.

Republican firebrand Greene, who represents part of Georgia, told the crowd they can “swing the election.”

“We’re a swing state just like you are. And our Georgia votes are very important, and your votes are very important,” Greene said. “As a matter of fact, your votes — every single one of you in this room, all the students here at Penn State, all of you in this county and the borough of State College — you can swing the election.”

Photos: Inside former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in State College

Centre County Republican candidates for office also attended the rally.

Benner Township’s Therese Hollen is running to unseat Democrat Rep. Paul Takac in Dist. 82 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. And Republican challenger Marie Librizzi is looking to oust Democrat Rep. Scott Conklin in the 77^th District.

Incumbent Sen. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson) is looking to retain his seat in the Pennsylvania Senate’s 25th District. Dush, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was first elected in 2020. He is facing a challenge from Democrat Jodi Schwab.

About an hour into Trump’s speech, he invited 14 current and former Nittany Lion wrestlers in the audience to take the stage.

Former wrestler Zain Retherford stepped to the microphone as the crowd erupted in a “We Are” chant.

“It’s truly an honor to be here. Thank you for recognizing us,” said Retherford, a three-time NCAA champ and U.S. Olympian. “And Pennsylvania is a super important state, we need to win this election, and let’s Make America Great Again. Go vote.”

Trump later told the crowd, which was a mix of college students and community members, that he wants them to be excited about the future again.

“People aren’t excited about this country very much anymore with the people we have in there. We have the worst president in the history of our country; we have the worst vice president, a grossly incompetent person, in the history of our country,” Trump said. “I’m asking you to dream big again. You’re going to dream big, just like your wrestling team dreams big.”

Pennsylvania’s early-voting option is available until Tuesday, Oct. 29. This is the last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election. The Centre County Republican Committee is hosting a satellite mail-in registration office Monday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bellefonte’s Talleyrand Park. Volunteers will be on site to provide forms, answer questions and provide transportation to the elections office if needed.