Controversial Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (Ga) and Matt Gaetz (Fl) have moved their ‘America First’ rally out of Orange County because they were unable to find a location to host the event.
According to The Press Enterprise, Gaetz and Greene would not share the new location of the rally due to “security concerns.” But, Greene’s spokesman Nick Dyer said the rally was moved to Riverside.
Ted Weggeland, CEO of the company that runs the downtown Riverside Convention Center, confirmed Thursday afternoon that the rally “will be held Saturday night at the convention center.”
The change in venue comes after the Pacific Hills Banquet & Event Center in Laguna Hills, California canceled the July 17 rally after they found out who was behind the event.
“We just want to stay clear of that,” Javad Mirtavoosi, general manager of the Laguna Hills center said. “As soon as we found out who the speakers were we immediately canceled it,” he added.
Gaetz and Greene were still offering tickets to the event while they searched for a new venue willing to host them.
The Republican firebrands have been traveling the country since May co-hosting America First rallies and spreading the big lie that the election was stolen from Trump.
Gaetz and Greene have faced some problems of their own. Gaetz is under federal investigation for alleged sex trafficking of a minor and prostitution and Greene lost her House committee assignments after past comments resurfaced of her encouraging political violence against top Democratic officials.
Both were also linked to plans to create the ‘America First Caucus’ which calls for a “common respect for uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions” and pushes a series of conspiracy theories about election integrity. The caucus also pushed a nativist argument warning that “mass immigration” poses a threat to “the long-term existential future of America as a unique country with a unique culture and a unique identity.”
Plans to start the caucus were dropped after pushback from the public and some in the Republican party.
