PHILADELPHIA, Pa.— Former President Donald Trump visited Philadelphia to speak at Sneaker Con on Saturday afternoon, surprising the shoe enthusiasts in attendance.
Sneaker Con, established in 2008, stands as the world’s premier sneaker show, featuring over 350 vendors. Its website calls it “The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth.”
During his address at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, President Trump held up a pair of his gold sneakers and said, “The Never Surrender High-Tops,” as he urged young people to vote.
“We have to go out and vote. We [have] got to get young people out to vote. And you’re going to vote and we’re gonna turn this thing around,” President Trump said. “We’re gonna remember the young people and we’re gonna remember Sneaker Con.”
President Trump invited a young lady from the audience, wearing a Trump 2024 sweatshirt, to join him at the podium. She expressed her excitement and tearfully encouraged everyone to vote for the former president.
“We need him. He’s a Christian. He’s a good, honest man. They are after him for no reason. Go out and vote for Trump. Vote Trump, no paper [mail-in ballot], go out and vote for Trump. He is a good man.”
The crowd responded with chants of “USA,” as some attendees held signs reading “Sneakerheads Love Trump.”
Several audience members shared their reactions to President Trump’s potential 2024 election and commented on a recent ruling that requires him and his company to collectively pay over $350 million.
Mortgage Professional: One of the Best Moments of Our Lives
Mortgage professional Art Mikhelson, 44, shared his surprise at President Trump’s presence at the show.“A huge surprise. Amazing. That was probably one of the best moments of our lives,” Mr. Mikhelson said. “Trump will win.”
Mr. Mikhelson, who originally came from Ukraine 34 years ago, said he appreciated President Trump’s policies on the economy and illegal immigration and opposed what he described as “this funny stuff at school that they’re teaching and no pronouns.” He said, “I came to America with a promise for my child and myself to make a life out of it. I don’t see it right now, but with Trump back in the White House, we will.”
Mr. Mikhelson described Friday’s ruling as a joke. “All that stuff is a joke. It’s all a sideshow. It'll be rebutted in court. Nobody’s gonna get any percentage of that money. It’s all a show, just like everything else for the Democrats,” he said.
Finance Professional: America Is Fed Up With Corruption
Michael Tama, a finance professional in the audience, expressed his support for President Trump in the 2024 election, citing him as the only one who can save the country from corruption.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump spoke to the crowd of sneaker enthusiasts at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Feb. 17, 2024. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)
“Trump is the only one who could save America right now,” Mr. Tama said. “It’s a corrupt country ... And he’s the only one that’s been calling it out. That’s why they hate him so much. That’s why they go after [him] so much. So, it’s our job as Americans to support the one man that can save our country ... [If] they don’t cheat like they did back in 2020, Trump will win in a landslide.
Art Mikhelson and his son Daniel Mikhelson at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, Pa., on Feb. 17, 2024. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)
“America is fed up with all the corruption, the open border, the crime, all the endless wars and money that’s going out the doors. Washington is a swamp. He’s the one that called him out on it, and he’s the only one that they’re going after now because they hate him because he’s onto their game. So I’m hoping he wins in 2024 and could save America.”
He dismissed the recent ruling against President Trump as a hoax, comparing it to tactics used by communist regimes.
Michael Tama at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, Pa., on Feb. 17, 2024. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)
“It’s a hoax. It’s a Soviet hoax. It’s as bad as any communist country due to their opposition,” Mr. Tama said. “New York is a banana republic. D.C. is a banana republic. Chicago is a banana republic. And they’re going after Trump. Just like Stalin went after his enemies, Hitler went after his enemies, Mao after their enemies. It’s the same playbook.”
Shoe Retailer Henry Hill: Trump Is My Hero
Shoe retailer Henry Hill described Trump as a hero he’s admired since he was young.
Shoes retailer Henry Hill at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, Pa., on Feb. 17, 2024. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)
“I just admire that man up there ... Since I was young, he’s been my hero,” Mr. Hill said. “I was shaking in my boots over here. I was sweating. I couldn’t even believe it. I just saw him on stage and I actually burst into tears.
“I wish my dad was here to see (President Trump). He’s at home right now, he’s not doing so well. But my dad would love to see [him]. I did this for him. Really.”
Luxury Watch Dealer: Trump Is the Truth
Luxury watch dealer Kevin Voyca, a big sneaker lover and a strong supporter of President Trump, believes the former president’s visit to Philadelphia was significant for the city.
Luxury watch dealer Kevin Voyca at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, Pa., on Feb. 17, 2024. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)
“I think he’s gonna win Philly, the state of Pennsylvania.” Mr. Voyca said.
“I think Trump wins automatically. I think people are awake now. And people realize that there’s been a lot of lies in the past. People are seeing the truth now. So I think it’s good now. People get to see it for what it is. And I think the lies have been exposed. And Donald Trump is the truth.”
Mr. Voyca praised Trump for speaking openly.
“I like Trump because he speaks his mind. I think honestly, somebody [needs to] tell the truth and [be] honest. We need a businessman. We need a good negotiator. We need somebody that’s gonna tell it how it is. And the country deserves the truth. So, I think he gets the job done.”
Mr. Voyca viewed the recent ruling as an attempt to interfere with the election.
“They’re gonna do everything they can to try to interfere with the election. They’re gonna try to spend all that money to try to get supporters and sway them, they use all the celebrities,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter because again, you can see through that, so it’s fine. It is what it is. If you can’t win fair, you gotta cheat. That’s usually what happens.”
Sneaker Retailer: The Only Way to Fix Economy Is Trump 2024
Sneaker retailer John Paulus, a five-year attendee of Sneaker Con, declared his full support for President Trump, attributing the previous economic success to his presidency.
Sneaker retailer John Paulus at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, Pa., on Feb. 17, 2024. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)
“He’s just the best president. When he got elected into office, he had the economy booming bigger than ever. And [after] he gets out of office … economy is in a dump right now. We’re practically in recession, that I think the only way to fix that is Trump 2024,” Mr. Paulus said.
He dismissed the legal challenges against President Trump as political propaganda.
“All the lawsuits and everything, I think it’s just propaganda. It’s a political year,” he said. “So they’re trying everything and because they know they don’t got a fighting chance against Trump. Trump is gonna win the election with glowing numbers this year. The Democrats aren’t stealing it again.”
