Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be in Norman Saturday afternoon for a fundraiser just a few blocks from the University of Oklahoma campus.
Just leaving Miami for Houston, Oklahoma and Colorado. Miami crowd was fantastic!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2016
The campaign hasn't formally disclosed the location, but The Norman Transcript reports it will be held at the home of Kathy and Hunter Miller. Kathy Miller is the daughter of retired OU football coach Barry Switzer:
Details on traffic or road closures in the area have not been released. Sarah Jensen, public safety information officer with the Norman Police Department, said the U.S. Secret Service has requested assistance from NPD with security. According to Jensen, Trump’s visit won’t have an impact on traffic routes or parking.
Heading to Norman to cheer on the #Sooners? Travel info here: https://t.co/FfOj8pxGEn . Plan ahead. Arrive early. pic.twitter.com/ODvpqPdRvF
— Norman Police (@normanokpd) September 16, 2016
During a July press conference after the Republican National Convention, Trump credited Switzer with helping build a relationship with one of his key energy advisors – Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm.
“I guess he's Harold's best friend, or one of them. So he came up to my office and he's sitting there and says, 'You know Mr. Trump, Harold is one of the great energy tycoons, but more importantly from our standpoint, one of the people that really understands energy better than anybody else.'," Trump said.
Hamm has been helping Trump craft his energy policy, and spoke on his behalf during the RNC this summer.
"[Switzer] said, "You know Mr. Trump, that Harold Hamm, he's my friend, but these other companies they go out and they spend millions of dollars looking for oil. That guy takes a straw, puts in the ground and oil pours out of it.’," Trump said.
The energy magnate is one of the event chairs of tomorrow's event, which will also reportedly be attended by Gov. Mary Fallin and Hobby Lobby CEO David Green, according to an invitation obtained by The Oklahoman. The event is private, and not listed on Trump’s online itinerary.
It’s expected to start just a few hours before OU’s highly anticipated football game against the Ohio State University. There have been reports Trump will attend the game, although the 6:30 p.m. kickoff would conflict with other events on his schedule Saturday.
Sources Say Donald Trump Will Attend OU Game In Norman https://t.co/tQlEF8Hn3C #News9 pic.twitter.com/11gw7aMQSX
— News 9 (@NEWS9) September 16, 2016
The 4:30 p.m. fundraising event will be a quick turnaround for Trump. He has a rally scheduled in Houston at 1 p.m., followed by an event in Colorado Springs at 7:30 p.m.
Both supporters of Trump and protesters will likely be on hand near the intersection of Timberdell Road and Chautauqua Ave. Saturday afternoon.
A student's view on #Trump's decision to come to Norman, OK for the Ohio State vs Oklahoma game tomorrow. #Sooners pic.twitter.com/h1g6too1L0
— Devin Newsom (@DevinNewsom) September 16, 2016
The Facebook group Stop the Plains All American – Red River Pipeline is hosting a Dump Trump rally that will begin at 2 p.m. near the Lloyd Noble Center, with a march to the Miller residence at 3 p.m.
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