Members of the 3 Percenters, American Guard, Oath Keepers, and Proud Boys were present, as were Antifa and Black Lives Matter activists.

[9] Leading up to the event, Boykin told The Washington Post he planned to condemn Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Sharia, and transgender people in military service in his speech.

[21][22][23] The Associated Press reported there were 500 people assembled near the Washington Monument by 1:30pm, and one rally organizer taunted members of the media by inviting them to the stage to film but saying, "I know you don't like to show large pro-Trump crowds".

[22] One speaker got attendees to chant "lock her up" in reference to Hillary Clinton, which was often heard at Trump events leading up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

[23] The New York Times' Emily Baumgaertner said the numerous demonstrations throughout Washington, D.C. "seemed a potentially combustible mix, but clashes were limited to a few harsh words exchanged near some porta-potties, and the city went about its usual business".

The only palpable similarities between the events was that both took place on the national mall and both offered free face-painting – although the stars and stripes designs at the Trump rally differed in style from those of the Insane Clown Posse crowd.