Former President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., took the stage on Sunday at a “Protecting Freedom” event in Montana, rallying support for leading Republican candidates and advocating for a conservative agenda aimed at securing victories up and down the ballot in November.
Hosted by the newly formed Montana Association of Conservatives (MAC-PAC), the event featured speeches from prominent figures including U.S. Senate hopeful Tim Sheehy, U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, Governor Greg Gianforte, and conservative commentator Alex Bruesewitz.
Addressing a crowd of approximately 300 attendees at the University of Montana, speakers criticized the Biden administration, congressional Democrats, Montana Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester, and the media. They emphasized contentious issues they viewed as threats to America and Montana’s future, such as transgender acceptance, diversity initiatives, and immigration policies.
“It’s not just your American dream that’s being crushed. It’s everyone’s,” remarked Trump Jr. “We have the ability to fight back politically with this team. So we need everyone out there for the governor, for Tim, for Ryan.” He urged support for conservative candidates in legislative and school board races.
The event marked a significant fundraiser for MAC-PAC, a Missoula-based political action committee founded by Cameo Flood, Alan Ault, and Tori Fort to back conservative candidates statewide. Notably absent from the speaker lineup were Republicans vying for the open U.S. House district representing eastern Montana.
While the Montana candidates at the event are leading in their respective races, they face primary challengers, with some candidates disinvited from the event in recent days. Most speeches centered on defeating Democrats in November, reclaiming the U.S. Senate, and securing Trump’s return to the White House, all to counter liberal policies and values.
“America is at a crossroads. We are at a crossroads as a nation,” declared Sheehy, a Navy Seal veteran running for Senate. “Are we going to choose tyranny, control, government? Or are we going to choose freedom and liberty and thought and enlightenment?”
Sheehy, who has faced controversy over remarks belittling transgender identities, emphasized cultural conservatism in his address.
Other speakers linked cultural opposition to defeating Democrats, stressing the importance of ousting Senator Tester to regain Republican control of the U.S. Senate.
“[T]his seat will determine whether we control the Senate for the next decade or not. That’s how important this is,” Sheehy asserted.
Reflecting Montana’s conservative tilt, Trump won the state by 20 percentage points in 2016 and by 16 points in 2020. Tester prevailed in 2018 by a narrower margin over Republican challenger Matt Rosendale.
Bruesewitz branded Tester “a fraud” and castigated him for perceived political moderation.
Responding to Republican attacks, Tester’s campaign characterized outside influences attempting to sway Montana’s race.
Zinke and Gianforte highlighted their records in office, with Zinke emphasizing fiscal restraint and Gianforte promoting economic development, particularly in firearms manufacturing.
The speakers urged attendees to engage in grassroots campaigning to counter liberal spending and media coverage.
“If you love your country, which I know you do, because you’re here, volunteer. Make some calls,” Zinke urged. “Our country is worth fighting for.”
