Ivanka Trump delivers 'message of hope'
President Donald Trump’s campaign for reelection made a stop outside Portersville on Wednesday with a visit from daughter Ivanka and former White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
As part of a Pittsburgh visit, the pair hosted a private question-and-answer session moderated by Sanders at Cheeseman Farm outside of Portersville, Lawrence County.
“It was a surprise,” said Betsy Cheeseman, co-owner of the farm and on-site event venue Betsy’s Barn.
She and her husband, Vic, received an inquiry about their venue earlier in the week.
She said she initially thought it might be an inquiry from someone considering the property for a future event.
“We had no idea what it was,” Vic Cheeseman said.
The Cheesemans told the Eagle they first learned whom they would be hosting on Oct. 20.
The first daughter and her entourage arrived at the farm around 1 p.m., where they hosted an outdoor private event with around 200 to 300 people in attendance.
“It was probably the most interesting thing we’ve done,” Betsy Cheeseman said. “It was totally amazing. They made us feel like celebrities”
Attendees included U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, who introduced Huckabee Sanders and Trump, and other Republican regional political officials. State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, and Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo were among those attending.
“It was really a message of hope for the next four years,” Mustello said of the tone of the event. “Cheeseman Farm was absolutely gorgeous, and it was just a beautiful fall day.”
Longo described the Q&A as an intimate, small-scale event.
“It was almost like we were having a discussion directly with Ivanka,” Longo said. “It was a lot different from the traditional Trump rally.”
The presentation included questions from one of the Cheeseman’s grandchildren.
According to Longo and Mustello, Ivanka Trump touted her father’s accomplishments in his first term. Subjects included the economy, oil and gas, the president’s handling of COVID-19 and also the concern for human trafficking.
“I think the idea was to keep the voter base energized,” Longo said. “It was a recap of his successes.”
The event appears to be part of a final campaign push in Western Pennsylvania. Sources say that final push may include a visit to Butler County from President Trump on Saturday.
Eagle staff writer Nathan Bottiger contributed to this report.
