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Supporters of Donald Trump faced a cold and lengthy wait in Traverse City, Michigan, as the former president arrived hours late to his rally after recording a long podcast interview. Many attendees left before Trump even appeared due to the three-hour delay, which he attributed to an interview with Joe Rogan, a popular podcaster influential among younger male voters, a demographic Trump is keen to engage as he campaigns for the 2024 White House race.

Despite the delay, a segment of the crowd remained at the outdoor venue on the airport tarmac, enduring temperatures that dipped to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). When Trump finally arrived, he apologized for the delay, explaining that his prolonged conversation with Rogan had held him up. He assured those who stayed that they would have a good time that night.

Joe Rogan, known for his extensive interviews on "The Joe Rogan Experience," discussed a variety of topics with Trump, including familiar rally stories, UFOs, and controversial remarks about Taiwan and federal income taxes. Rogan's podcast is the most listened-to in the United States, as per Spotify's charts, making this interview a significant platform for Trump's campaign messages.

In a contrasting event in Texas, Democrat Kamala Harris joined superstar Beyoncé for a rally in Houston focused on the state's strict abortion laws, enacted after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Three of the justices who supported this decision were nominated by Trump, underscoring his lasting influence on the judiciary.

Back in Michigan, Trump's delay led his spokesman to post on social media just before the rally’s scheduled start time, indicating that Trump was still en route from Texas. As Trump’s plane neared, excitement rekindled among the cold and bundled-up attendees, some of whom had been waiting since 4 p.m. Notably, local supporters John and Cheryl Sowash expressed understanding about the delay, acknowledging the wider reach of Trump’s podcast appearance compared to the rally crowd.

As Trump took the stage, his speech touched on a variety of topics, continuing his campaign's focus on hypermasculine themes and directly addressing his relationship with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and policies related to health and environmental issues. He also reiterated his controversial views on Taiwan and lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping as "brilliant."

In his continuous rhetoric against illegal immigration, Trump darkly characterized the U.S. as a dumping ground for other countries' undesirables, a claim countered by Harris in her Houston appearance, who argued that such remarks belittle the nation. Interrupted twice by medical emergencies among the audience, Trump filled the pauses by having the song "Ave Maria" played, a tactic reminiscent of a similar incident at a recent Pennsylvania rally.

The Michigan rally concluded with Trump's reaffirmation of his commitment to protecting women, a theme he insists on despite his advisers' recommendations to tone it down in light of the event’s focus on reproductive rights. The evening underscored the challenges and commitments of both Trump and his supporters in the ongoing campaign.