President Donald Trump hoped for a huge crowd in Tulsa as he restarts his 2020 presidential campaign after leaving the trail due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump’s campaign had bragged that over one million people had signed up for tickets and there were plans for Trump to address an overflow area outside as the campaign assumed they would fill the 19,000 seat BOK Center.

However, turnout appears to not be as high as anticipated.

Astead Westley of The New York Times posted a photo of light attendance inside the building.

I should add that the event isn't supposed to start for some time (90 mins ish). But this isn't a normal rally, there was overflow space and and a scheduled outdoor program. Even if arena fills up, those areas remain below expectations (which they heightened!)

— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) June 20, 2020

Outside was also quiet after the campaign began letting supporters inside, CNN’s Abby Phillip reported.

Update: outdoor area has completely emptied out. pic.twitter.com/XS8M0IJRFc

— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) June 20, 2020

Dave Weigel of The Washington Post reported that the Trump campaign had called off the president addressing the small group outside.

We’re told that Trump will not speak to the overflow crowd, as was originally expected. There is a full set-up there for him, complete with lectern and protective glass. pic.twitter.com/s8H15F0Mlv

— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) June 20, 2020

Rally programming starting now. Here’s the scene outside. pic.twitter.com/CRnV6b4LfY

— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) June 20, 2020

.@ryanobles confirms that President Trump and VP Pence will no longer speak at the “Outdoor Experience.” As of right now there are only a few dozen people there. https://t.co/CD6oQPypTG

— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) June 20, 2020

Trump’s campaign manager had bragged that Trump would need to speak to the overflow crowd.

The outdoor stage for @realDonaldTrump’s Rally in Tulsa being built.

This will be the 1st time that POTUS speaks to BOTH crowds in person – inside & outside.

If you come to the rally and don’t get into the BOK Center before it’s full, you can still see the President in person! pic.twitter.com/7hoLFgzvLA

— Brad Parscale (@parscale) June 20, 2020

The Trump campaign is blaming protesters for the poor turnout.

NEW: The Trump campaign is blaming tonight’s turnout which has fallen well short of their expectations to protestors “interfering with supporters” attempting to gain access to the Trump events.
FULL STATEMENT from @TimMurtaugh pic.twitter.com/Dm6TuI06da

— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) June 20, 2020

Enjoy good journalism?

… then let us make a small request. The COVID crisis has slashed advertising rates, and we need your help. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and legal efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. And unlike other news outlets, we’ve decided to make our original content free. But we need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. Unhinged from corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click to donate by check.

Value Raw Story?

… then let us make a small request. The COVID crisis has cut advertising rates in half, and we need your help. Like you, we believe in the power of progressive journalism — and we’re investing in investigative reporting as other publications give it the ax. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. We need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us in the future. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.