Trump and O’Rourke’s simultaneous El Paso rallies couldn’t have been more different

O’Rourke gets a lift.
O’Rourke gets a lift.
Image: Reuters/Loren Elliott
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Donald Trump promoted his border wall at a rally with supporters a few blocks from the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas last night (Feb. 11). Opponents, including former US representative Beto O’Rourke, staged their own demonstration across the street.

Here’s a look at the contrasts:

A MAGA stage vs. opponents’ march

Trump held his campaign-style rally at an arena adorned with massive American flags and banners emblazoned with his latest slogan: “Finish the wall.”

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the El Paso County Coliseum, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019
Trump’s team set the stage for him.
Image: AP Photo/Eric Gay

His opponents’ affair was more low key. O’Rourke, who’s mulling whether to run as against Trump in 2020, spoke from a more makeshift open-air stage. Supporters had to hold the American flags.

Beto O'Rourke, the Democratic former Texas congressman, addresses supporters before an anti-Trump march in El Paso, Texas, U.S.
There was nowhere to hang flags at the outdoor rally O’Rourke attended.
Image: Reuters/Loren Elliott

Wall-to-wall division

Trump’s main talking point while in El Paso was the urgent need for his border wall, a time-tested crowd pleaser at his rallies.

A supporter holds a placard as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Trump supporters are on board with his new slogan.

Opponents responded with their own wall rhetoric: We don’t need it.

Demonstrators hold up signs as they take part in the 'March for Truth: Stop the Wall, Stop the Lies' during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to El Paso, Texas, U.S.Demonstrators hold up signs as they take part in the 'March for Truth: Stop the Wall, Stop the Lies' during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Anti-Trump demonstrators called their event “March for Truth: Stop the Wall, Stop the Lies.”
Image: Reuters/Jose Luis Gonzalez -

Fans express their devotion

Both rallies attracted throngs of enthusiastic supporters. At the Trump rally, most watched from afar.

People respond as President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in El Paso, Texas, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
A picture from at a distance.
Image: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Some fans at the other rally got a chance to get up close to O’Rourke.

Beto O'Rourke, the Democratic former Texas congressman, greets supporters following an anti-Trump march in El Paso, Texas, U.S., February 11, 2019.
A protester chats with O’Rourke after the anti-Trump march.
Image: Reuters/Loren Elliott