DULUTH, Minn. — President Donald Trump pledged to open permits for copper-nickel mining on Minnesota’s Iron Range at an airport rally. He called the future of the Range a critical election issue. “Obama closed the Iron Range and I opened it,” Trump said. His point went over to thunderous applause from 3,000 supporters, even though it wasn’t true. Many closed mines reopened by the end of Obama’s term in 2016. Trump pledged also to allow mineral leases near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In jest, he said: “If I lose Minnesota, I’m never coming back.” The crowd roared.
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Site: Private airport hangar
Crowd estimate: 3,000
Max allowabl under COVID rules: 250
Speech: 45 minutes
Weather: Light rain