Donald Trump’s supporters defy the cold to cheer him on in Joe Biden’s back yard

Supporters of Donald Trump wait for him to arrive at a campaign rally at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport

Credit: Gene J. Puskar/ AP

The state both has a large number of electoral votes – the key metric in a race decided by the electoral college system – and also lies in the heart of the so-called Rust Belt, America’s Midwest, dotted with abandoned factories, which Mr Trump stormed in 2016. 

Mr Trump won Pennsylvania at the last election. If he repeats the feat on Tuesday, the president could be on his way to a shock comeback victory. If Mr Biden turns the traditionally Democratic state back blue, the chances are he wins. 

Mr Biden joined his presidential rival in the state on Monday, where he was due to appear on the stump with the singer Lady Gaga. His wife Jill and vice-presidential pick Kamala Harris were also campaigning there. 

In the bitter November wind, Trump supporters – some of whom had driven for hours to reach the eve-of-election rally – saw nothing wrong with holding it in Mr Biden’s childhood home town. 

People queue for food as they await the arrival of Donald Trump in Scranton

Credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Kersten Barreiro, 26, had got a front row seat after travelling one state over from New Jersey. She was wearing a red MAGA winter hat and a sweatshirt bearing Donald Trump’s signature. 

"You can say what you want about him being quite petty, but I think it’s quite funny and perfect for the day before the election to come to Scranton. Biden is incompetent," she told The Telegraph. 

Nearby, a group of Japanese 20-somethings wearing Trump clothing danced around to "Macho Man", the camp disco classic that has become a staple of the playlist for Trump rallies. 

They had travelled to America with their church, spending recent weeks in the state, and were firm supporters of the US president because of his tough approach to China. 

"We can’t allow communists in Japan" said Daichi Kubo, 23, from Okayama, who was wearing a red MAGA cap. He feared Mr Biden would be less effective at countering Chinese expansionism in the region. 

Mr Trump had four other stops on his final day of campaigning – North Carolina, Wisconsin and twice in Michigan. Mr Biden also appeared in Ohio, a state he hopes to flip.