The Flynn Center Credit: File photo

Updated at 10:48 p.m.: Police said at midday that the campaign has issued nearly 20,000 free tickets.

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has given out more than 18,000 free tickets for his appearance Thursday night at the 1,400-seat Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo said Wednesday.

Del Pozo said that the large gap between tickets issued and seats available is a problem.

“We’re working with the campaign to see what their plans are to accommodate people who don’t have tickets,” del Pozo said. As of Wednesday afternoon, the campaign had not offered any indication it had any such plans. The city has no plans to cancel the event, del Pozo said.

Asked if Trump’s campaign had been cooperative in planning for the overflow, del Pozo said, “They’re cooperative when it comes to a safe event inside the Flynn. They consider what happens outside the theater as the province of police and public safety agencies rather than the campaign.”

The city is planning to close streets around the Flynn and bring in extra patrols in response both to the possible overflow of attendees and to planned protests. Del Pozo said lower Church Street between Main and King streets will be closed to traffic and parking starting at noon Thursday.

Main Street from Church to St. Paul Streets will be closed to traffic and parking starting at 1 p.m., he said. Protesters plan a rally at City Hall Park and a vigil at St. Paul and Main streets in response to Trump’s 7 p.m. appearance at the Flynn.

The event originally was planned for only the 1,000-seat main floor space of the Flynn, but based on the large number of tickets being issued, balcony seats were added Tuesday, Flynn Executive Director John Killacky said. That brings the seating total to about 1,400.

Trump’s campaign has been issuing free tickets via the online site EventBrite. Shortly after tickets became available, the site indicated the event was sold out, but that quickly changed and tickets remained available Wednesday afternoon, even after local officials expressed concern about the gap between the number of tickets and seats.

Some Trump opponents have indicated in online discussions that they were acquiring tickets, but then planned not to use them, hoping it would leave empty seats at the theater. The strategy will not likely have that effect, given the large number of tickets issued, but it means no one knows how many people who acquired tickets will actually try to use them.

Killacky said doors will open at 5 p.m. Secret Service will be screening event-goers, and Trump goes on stage at 7 p.m. sharp. If seated attendees leave the theater in protest, no new attendees will be let in, he said.

Del Pozo said police will be patrolling outside, at what he described as a significant overtime cost to the city. If those who get shut out have complaints, he will refer them to the Trump campaign. He offered this advice to attendees: “If you come, don’t expect to get in.”

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Terri Hallenbeck was a Seven Days staff writer covering politics, the Legislature and state issues from 2014 to 2017.

21 replies on “Trump Issues Nearly 20,000 Tickets to Flynn Event”

  1. 18K tickets for 1400 seats ! That is outrageous. I have tickets, but why bother at this point. I can’t believe they would pull such a stunt, although should we really be surprised? This IS THE Donald. He does and says what ever he wants. Anyone want a free ticket ?

  2. If the Trump campaign doesn’t deal with this by making responsible plans for an overflow audience (not that there is anywhere in Burlington big enough to hold that many people), they will bear complete responsibility for all of the chaos that will take place in downtown Burlington tomorrow.

    Of course they’re probably hoping for clashes and chaos in the streets of Burlington – that way Trump can make outrageous claims about what happened when he went to Bernie’s home town.

  3. I see no reason that Burlington should have to pay for the idiotic way T-Rumps campaign is running this show. If it was anything else, the city would have no problem just shutting it down

  4. Hate to say it but the real outrage here are all the asshats getting tickets with no intention of going. They DROVE the campaign to do this. THEY should pay the frickin OT bill and take a remedial class on the first amendment. Word to the wise for Trump opponents (myself included): STAY AWAY! IF YOU SHOW UP YOU WILL ONLY ADD TO THE SPECTACLE. There is NO FREAKIN way Trump will win Vermont anyhow so leave your torches and pitchforks and your ass at home.

  5. I despise Trump as much as the next guy. But obtaining tickets with the idea of creating empty seats is a dirty trick worthy of Trump, not those who believe in a civil democratic debate. The circulation of that plan has given Trump the excuse he needed to pull off this tactic, clearly designed to produce chaos and possibly a violent confrontation on the street. If we are lucky, he doesn’t have 1,400 supporters to fill the theater anyway and is bluffing.

  6. He’s been calling other people idiots…makes you wonder if “it takes one to know one” has any validity here. He obviously knows nothing of fiscal responsibility since he is costing the City of Burlington a lot of money for his circus coming to town.

  7. Interesting – the article pretty much spells out the only way to have a successful empty-seats protest – show up super early, hope to get a seat, if you do, stay seated until they close the doors and won’t let anyone else in, then get up and leave. But my guess is that they will bus in true supporters from out of state, or in some way identify, invite, and let in through the back door, true supporters, and non-supporters have almost no hope of getting in.

  8. Trump supporters stand, they don’t sit. So the 1400 seat figure is irrelevant. If the fire marshal has a problem with public safety he can shut this event down any time he likes. I think the haters are just upset Trump is invading Bernie’s backyard.

  9. The Ira Allen Chapel and UVM Gym could both host remote live feeds and seat a few thousand additional attendees. I’m sure the candidate’s crack logistical team could have arranged for these venues, if accomodating more ‘supporters’ were his actual goal. This, from the BPD press release, reveals his true intent: “They consider what happens outside the theater as the province of police and public safety agencies rather than the campaign.” Expensive chaos in the streets of the Democratic Socialist’s hometown: Don’t let this Rump be able to say Mission Accomplished, Burlington!

  10. Well, I have a ticket, but I don’t like riots, so I may wander over and take a few photos of the mob scene, but that’s about it. Sure seems like a dirty trick to me – giving out an extra 17,000 meaningless tickets. Every day since I signed up, the campaign has sent me another reminder to get my ticket, and today I wrote back:

    “Thanks, but I just read that you’ve invited 20,000 people to a 1,400 seat venue. Have a lot of fun with
    your riot. I don’t believe I will join in.”

  13. Some of you are ignorant to the point of sadness. Social media is blowing up about collecting all the tickets so they can trash them. Does it really matter if you get “tickets”?. No, it’s a free show. First come first serve. He will make sure seats are filled. I hope Bernie does something in the state and all the Republicans stage pathetic protests as well.

  14. Several hundred people who have been communicating privately online applied for tickets starting 12/31 and the vast majority said they would attend the rally on January 7th. On Monday, January 4th, we received emails telling us to reregister. I have scant idea how many did so; those who did received tickets with different numbers from their original tickets. Now we have no idea which tickets, if any, will be honored.
    The group was private, by invitation. and I am personally concerned it was accessed and that we will not be admitted even though many will “camp out” in order to be admitted.
    That makes it all the more possible we have been trumped by the dump of 20,000 tickets.
    Ann Geer

  15. a recipe for a melee…is this what Trump wants?….history repeats itself….ie Weimar Republic publc brawls lead by the “brown shirt” thugs

  16. Ii welcome Donald Trump Burlington Vermont he got my vote and my heart ,I live in Burlington on pine St,I’m gay and a male witch and blessed bev too freedom .

  17. I think Trump’s team would LOVE if all the people who wanted to go went ironically; they’d then have an opportunity to make Bernie’s roots look crazy, which I am sure is the goal…

  18. Trump’s handlers should be cited & arraigned by police for violation of Burlington’s city ordinance 21-46, barring disorderly conduct with: “… intent to cause public inconvenience, or annoyance or recklessly creating a risk thereof: …(b) Makes unreasonable noise; or… (e) Obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic.” It’s a $250-$500 fine, but it’s the right thing to do in light of their wilful disregard for this event’s impact on our city today.

  19. Trump wants mexico to pay the bill for a fence to keep illegals out then he should foot the bill for the costs to the city for this unbelievably stupid stunt. it is going to be a circus, and I will be amazed if no one is hurt. Some sort of riot is bound to happen with that many people with diametrically opposed views in one place. I was going to go out of interest, and to show my son how the political process works. Now we are probably going to be as far away as possible, this is a recipe for disaster! (just like a Trump presidency would be!)
    shm

  20. So it’s now costing the tax payers of Burlington money because the campaign knowingly created this situation?

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