MANCHESTER, N.H. — Nearly 200 New Hampshire Republican Party VIPs had their access to President Donald Trump's Monday night rally revoked at the last minute, upsetting some of the party's most prominent elected officials and activists.

The big names who were booted include Fran Wendelboe, a former deputy state House majority leader and state commissioner, as well as Diane Bitter, a party activist. State Rep. Jason Osborne, an influential member of the House who spearheads the GOP’s policy team, was able to get in after some confusion over the status of his invitation.


Those who were no longer welcomed inside the lower-level VIP reception were told they could wait in line for general admission. As of four hours before the event, the line stretched about a half of a mile down the city's main street, including people camped outside the arena in approximately 20 degree weather.