Newtown Athletic Club Owner Gets Heat For Hosting Trump Rally

Newtown Athletic Club owner Jim Worthington says he's been taking some heat since the news broke that his business will be hosting a rally Friday with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

It's just a sign of the times, he says. The Newtown businessman says political "discord and disfunction" isn't going to stop him from hosting a "once in a lifetime event for someone who could potentially be the next president."

RELATED: Watch Live Stream: Donald Trump Rally In Newtown, Pennsylvania

Indeed, as of noon Thursday, at least three people canceled their NAC memberships because of the rally, Worthington tells Patch. And while some in the public are reacting with disparaging feedback, Worthington's close friend John Cordisco, who just so happens to be the Chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Committee, is happy for him.

So happy, he planted a kiss on his cheek in the lobby of the NAC on Thursday morning, Worthington recalled. "He told me, 'Jim don’t worry about it, we’re all Americans.'"

Worthington said Cordisco likely won't attend the rally, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Newtown Athletic Club Sports Training Center. The main NAC facility will remain open to the public but, Worthington admits, "parking will be tight."

While Worthington has been a vocal supporter of Trump and was elected as a delegate for the Republican National Convention, he says he has asked people on both sides to host political events at his facility.

He's been in contact with the Trump campaign for a while about the possibility of a rally at the NAC's training center. It was confirmed Wednesday.

Worthington said he hopes the community can come together and realize the event is good for Newtown, regardless of how they feel politically. "People are just way too emotional," he said. "They don’t have to agree with me. We are trying to provide a public service. People want to see it."

In the meantime, Worthington was busy Thursday meeting with campaign representatives and Secret Service agents. He'll meet Trump in person Friday. It will be the third time the local Republican has met the GOP presidential candidate.

The rally in Newtown is one of two events Trump has scheduled in Pennsylvania this Friday. The Republican candidate will be in Johnstown for a 4 p.m. rally earlier in the day.

Doors to the Newtown event open at 4:30 p.m. Worthington said he expects people to start arriving even earlier. The NAC Sports Training Center is located at 120 Pheasant Run, Newtown.

Also on Friday in Newtown, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf will be at the Sycamore Grill on Sycamore Street for a campaign event with Democrat Perry Warren, who is running for state representative for the 31st district. Warren's event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m.