On June 20, 2020, Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that would go down in history for more than just its political implications. It became a symbol of the administration’s disregard for public health amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite widespread concerns about the virus and social distancing, Trump insisted on holding the rally—one of his first since the pandemic began.

The rally’s timing was controversial, as COVID-19 cases were surging across the country, and Tulsa itself had seen a spike in infections in the preceding weeks. Health experts strongly advised against large gatherings, especially indoors, where the virus could spread more rapidly. But Trump and his campaign proceeded with the event, brushing aside concerns for the safety of both attendees and the broader public.

Despite the hype and the promises of a packed stadium, the rally ultimately failed to draw the expected crowd. The 19,000-seat BOK Center in Tulsa was barely half full, with thousands of empty seats visible in the live broadcast. Campaign staff had overestimated the turnout, and it quickly became clear that many had been deterred by the ongoing pandemic, the risks involved, or simply the knowledge that Trump’s early pandemic response was inadequate.

What followed was even more troubling: reports that the rally may have contributed to a rise in COVID-19 cases. While the exact impact of the event on the spread of the virus remains debated, public health officials were alarmed by the optics of such a large, unmasked gathering. Trump’s rally became a “superspreader” headline, with multiple attendees testing positive for COVID-19 in the days following the event. This was a stark reminder of the administration’s prioritization of politics over public health.

The Tulsa rally not only highlighted the Trump campaign’s detachment from reality in the face of a global health crisis but also underscored his relentless pursuit of political spectacle over the safety and well-being of his supporters. The rally’s failure to deliver in terms of both crowd size and safety became a symbol of the administration’s chaotic handling of the pandemic, ultimately doing more harm than good to Trump’s public image.

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