A protester holds a ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ sign as the motorcade for President Joe Biden passes by Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre.
Evan Vucci | AP photo
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Pro-Trump demonstrators are seen in the parking lot where the former Hotel Sterling once stood in advance of President Joe Biden’s arrival in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.
Kevin Carroll | Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — Both sides wanted to talk about crowds.
According to Wilkes University officials, about 700 people attended President Joe Biden’s speech at the Marts Center on Tuesday.
Groups of protesters gathered in various spots in downtown Wilkes-Barre to show opposition to his visit — some with flags proclaiming that ex-President Donald Trump won the 2020 election.
The hottest debate wasn’t on the rain-slicked streets, but on social media, where commenters on the Times Leader’s Facebook page and website engaged in protracted battles.
Some proudly proclaimed that Trump will fill the Mohegan Sun Arena when he visits on Saturday — which he has done in past stops here. Others wanted to know why Biden didn’t arrive in an electric vehicle.
Some Trump supporters, meanwhile, took time out of their day to let us know that a president visiting Wilkes-Barre was “not news.”
Biden supporters fired back at lies about Trump winning in 2020.
Here is a selection of unedited comments from those wild posts, appearing as they did online.
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Ron Pritchyk: Welcome Joe ! Thanks for not stealing classified stuff !
Jody Scott: Still the worst President in the last 50 years!
Diane Lydia: Trump will be here on Saturday
Laura Kiselevach: Diane write that check, pops needs a defense fund IF he can find an attorney.
Jim Romanuski: Those are all electric vehicles ? Same with marine 1 and air force 1 . Come’on man get with the program and set the example Joey
Jim Saxe: The circus came to town!
Jeff Payne: Too bad there wasn’t a giant sink hole to drive into
Patricia Condito: First you complain about the crowds causing trouble for the kids getting out of school and then you complain because there are no crowds because it’s not a TV show it’s the president of the United States. If you don’t like it, take your own advice and move to another country.
A Pickup Man Junkologist: Times Leader , President is not arriving in Pa until Saturday. …. What you are reporting is some imposter.
Gene Marks: Wow. Keep in mind this IS the internet. So all that you post can be seen by just about anyone that cares to read the horribly misspelled, grammatically incorrect posts. The people in the US must think that this area has the dumbest mouth breathing people in Pa. So misinformed, so programmed in the cult. You pick on BIDEN about ‘complete sentences’ and his speaking?
Lisa Michele: How awesome! So proud of our great President truly working for the American people unlike Republicans that voted NO for extended benefits for veterans , NO on the anti gas price gouging bill and NO on a cap on insulin. FINALLY a President that gets things done. Let’s Go DARK BRANDON! Keep voting for Republicans that vote NO on bills that will help your family instead of educating yourselves. I’ll let you get back to your Trumper-Tantrum
Deidre Rae: Trump supporters will question Biden’s cognition but then believe Trump won
Craig Lesko: why is it so small? Trump will fill the arena and this bozo can’t fill a small college room
Deb Yeager: I hope all four people have a good time.
John Kosek: You mean Moronic motorcade. Nobody cares.
Harvey Dent: Who cares about him or any other president all of them are the same don’t care about the people it’s all about their gain and the worth we are all just pawns in the this chess game unless your rich then you good