Daily Inter Lake reporter Taylor Inman was at the Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell for President Donald Trump’s Wednesday, Oct. 14 rally, speaking with attendees as they waited in line for the doors to open.

The rally was one of several late campaign stops ahead of the 2026 midterm election, held in a county where about 65% of voters backed Trump in 2024. 

Republican Aaron Flint, who is facing Democrat Sam Forstag in a western Montana congressional race considered a toss-up, was the guest of honor. Gov. Greg Gianforte, Reps. Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke and Senate candidate Kurt Alme all spoke ahead of the president. 

Trump took the stage around 7:30 p.m., about an hour and a half behind schedule, and spoke for roughly an hour. He touched on Montana’s timber industry, the Colstrip power plant, a planned military testing range in the state, tariffs, inflation and the war with Iran. He closed by urging the crowd to vote in November. 

In this episode, hear from the people who came out to see it. 

Voting in Montana: the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your registration status, find your polling place and review ID requirements at https://votemt.gov/, the Montana Secretary of State’s official voter information site. For questions about late registration or absentee ballots, contact your county election office.

READ MORE:  

Trump expected to stump for Flint in Kalispell

Trump will touch down in Flathead Valley for campaign rally Wednesday

Trump first sitting president to visit Northwest Montana since Gerald Ford

Live updates: President Trump campaigns in Kalispell

PHOTOS: President Trump visits Kalispell for campaign rally

How Glacier Park International Airport handled President Trump’s visit

Trump packs Kalispell arena in campaign event to boost GOP candidates

Trump announces plans for ‘super range’ military testing site in Montana

Follow our News Now podcast for weekly Headlines and monthly Local Events. Find all the News Now episodes on DailyInterLake.com Watch and Subscribe to News Now podcast on You Tube or your favorite podcast app.