Thousands attend President Trump’s rally at Bojangles’ Coliseum

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Trump returned to Charlotte Monday ahead of Super Tuesday.

Trump told his supporters at the Bojangles’ Coliseum if former Vice President Joe Biden gets the nomination, “he is not going to run it, they are going to put him in a home and other people are going to be running it. He’s going to be put in a home and watching television.”

As you plan for your Monday, don’t forget about the impact increased traffic may have on your commute due to the Presidential visit in the areas surrounding @CLTAirport and @TheBOplex. Follow @QCTrafficAlerts for live updates on traffic. #clttraffic #clt #cltnews pic.twitter.com/rrwKI1VTVY
— CMPD News (@CMPD) March 2, 2020

Sen. Lindsay Graham attended the rally and told the crowd that Trump is the best commander-in-chief since Ronald Reagan.

Sen. Thom Tillis was also at the coliseum and Trump said he is “a champion for the people of North Carolina.”

Trump also said, “Thom, I don’t think anybody wants to run against you Thom... We don’t even know who is running against him.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said people should expect delays and road closures from 4 to 9 p.m. They said roads between and around the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Bojangles’ Coliseum were closed, including Independence Boulevard between Interstate 277 and Albemarle Road.

ALSO READ: Super Tuesday: What is it, when is it, how many delegates are up for grabs

Channel 9 reporter Anthony Kustura was at Bojangles’ Coliseum before dawn Monday and spoke with dozens who had braved the cold to grab a seat hours before Trump’s arrival.

One woman said she had been waiting since Thursday night for an opportunity to see the president.

Supporters gather ahead of @realDonaldTrump rally at @Bojangles Arena #CLT #POTUS #SuperTuesdayEve pic.twitter.com/rzkT26b56W
— Chopper 9 (@WSOCChopper9) March 2, 2020

A lot of the folks who’ve come out already know they’ll vote for Trump for a second term, but they’re hoping he can convince people who may be on the fence.

The president’s supporters are looking forward to hearing him talk about the economy and job security. When we spoke to the president last month during a visit to Charlotte he said he’d be in the Carolinas a lot this election cycle.

“He’s so pro-America,” said Angela Dever, a supporter. “He just loves this country and loves the people in this country.”

POTUS VISIT: CMPD says expect road closures & significant delays from the airport to Bojangles' Coliseum approx 5:45 PM-8:45 PM tonight. #cltraffic #clttraffic #clt pic.twitter.com/14PnsR0eob
— Traffic Team 9 (@TrafficTeam9) March 2, 2020

North Carolina will join 13 other states holding primary elections on Tuesday. That means a third of the total delegates will be up for grabs Tuesday.

New poll numbers show Super Tuesday could be closer than anticipated. Currently, Biden is focusing on southern states following a big win in Saturday’s South Carolina primary.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is all but certain to win in California -- the largest delegate prize.

Pete Buttigieg is OUT. All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden. Great timing. This is the REAL beginning of the Dems taking Bernie out of play - NO NOMINATION, AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2020

This comes on the heels of Pete Buttigieg suspending his presidential campaign. Trump tweeted that Buttigieg’s Super Tuesday votes will go to Joe Biden and thinks the Democrats are trying to take Sanders out of the race.

President Trump is expected to formally accept the GOP’s nomination for his re-election bid at the Republican National Convention in Charlotte this August.