Trump and bikers gather support for veterans at Rolling Thunder Rally

Tens of thousands of bikers - some of them even war veterans themselves - traditionally visit the Vietnam Memorial before the Rolling Thunder Rally begins. The non-profit group does this to show support for veterans of all US wars.

While at the event, the Rolling Thunder biker group drove up and down the National Mall park in downtown Washington DC. The collective boom of their two-wheelers made enough noise for people in nearby cities to hear.

DW's Correspondent Miodrag Soric talked to many people at the event, including veterans who said they "didn't agree with Trump's snide remarks about Senator John McCain" when he apparently called McCain a "loser" some months ago.

Republican Trump often compares the treatment of illegal immigrants and veterans. While at the rally, he did the same, and said that "thousands of people are dying while waiting in line to see a doctor. That is not going to happen anymore."

"This year, the likely Republican presidential candidate tried to beat out the parade in Washington DC - with little success. The interest in his speech at the Lincoln Memorial was manageable," says Soric, who was at the rally.

Though the event gathered thousands of people from all over the country, Trump dwelled on the number of entrants and said that many more people weren't allowed inside the rally. "600,000 people (were) trying to get in," said Trump. But observers say that number is largely inflated.

Large crowds of people, including bikers from all over the country, came to commemorate American military veterans and prisoners of war during the motorcycle rally. Rolling Thunder spokeswoman Nancy Regg told reporters that the event on Sunday drew around 5,000 people.