BUFFALO — With a throng of protesters outside First Niagara Center Monday night, GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump told nearly 15,000 people inside the arena about “our police and our firemen down at 7-Eleven, down at the World Trade Center right after it came down. And I saw the greatest people I’ve ever seen in action.”
Trump also talked about NAFTA, the American/Chinese trade deficit, the wall he’d build on the U.S./Mexican border and Buffalo’s loss of industry in the past 20 years. But following the speech, the 7-Eleven gaffe was what was on people’s minds … and tongues.
Trump, a statistical lock in today’s New York State primary, did not correct the mistake — or even pause in his speech. He carried on with the point that the work of the police and fire departments on Sept. 11 — not the convenience store — was an example of real “New York values,” a dig at GOP challenger Ted Cruz — or “lyin’ Ted Cruz,” as Trump referred to him.
The mistake was immediately noted by international news outlets including NBC, CNN, the Mirror, Huffington Post and more.
Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan introduced Trump. Buffalo real estate developer Carl Paladino and Congressman Chris Collins also spoke. Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy emceed the event, working up the crowd prior to Collins and Paladino’s speeches.
Several protesters were removed from the event and six arrests were reported. Following the event, a peaceful protest walk marched north on Washington Street — away from the arena.
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