Donald Trump brought his grassroots campaign to Tampa Monday evening, luring thousands of enthusiastic supporters who had come to see the controversial Republican presidential nominee -- clearly their hero -- make his final push to voters. His overriding message? Bring the election home.
“With a victory in November, everything will change,” Trump told a cheering crowd. “We will accomplish so much for our country that we all love.”
Trump covered a variety of topics, from the economy to foreign relations. He painted the picture of a nation which has lost its way, on course toward disaster if Democrats were to claim victory in the White House a third time.
He spent significant time attacking his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton over her federal investigation and her performance in the presidential debates, a topic that drew spirited reactions from the crowd.
Trump accused Clinton of having early access to the debate questions, further casting doubt on her moral compass and questioning whether she would be the right leader for the nation.
"She knew it was wrong but never said anything to anyone,” Trump told the crowd.
He pledged his dedicated service to his loyal supporters. Trump’s fans proudly wore their labels as members of the “basket of deplorables,” a title Hillary Clinton gave them last month and a phrase that has become something of a Trump campaign battle cry.
Trump gathered the support of Florida Republicans in a hotly-contested primary where one of their own hometown candidates -- U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio -- failed to win in his own state. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, once considered the frontrunner of the Republican primary, dropped out of the race in February.
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia fired the crowd up early in the evening, telling them it was time to turn Florida red once more.
“I don't know about you, but I am feeling pretty deplorable right now,” Ingoglia joked with the crowd.
The RPOF has stood fervently by Trump as he swept the nation with his fiery demeanor in what has proven to be one of the most colorful and controversial elections in American history.
Trump’s nomination came as a surprise to many. He has no political experience and has spent much of his life as a businessman. He’s also starred on reality television, has no filter and has made headlines for his controversial comments about minorities and women -- comments which have cost him in recent polls, showing him falling behind.
He is not like other politicians who entered the race to become president, which has become his outsider rallying cry -- and to Trump supporters, he's definitely not like Clinton.
"She's a criminal," said Larry Ross of Orlando.
Voters told Sunshine State News they are still standing firm with Trump despite the stigma of being a Trump voter.
"I don't really care what people think of me," said Michele Ross.
"I've been treated with nothing but respect [at these rallies,]" John Bradley of Lutz told SSN.
Bradley was one of the few black voters at the rally. He dressed in full costume to look like Donald Trump for the rally, which prompted veterans, women and other rally-goers to take photos with him.
"I'm really enjoying myself here today," he said.
Monday marked the beginning of early voting in many parts of the state and will continue until Nov. 6. Over one million Floridians have already cast their votes via vote-by-mail ballots.
Polling between Trump and Clinton was incredibly tight just over a month ago, but Clinton has begun to trounce Trump after a leaked tape released earlier this month showed him making sex-predatory remarks about women in 2005. Recent polls have shown him slipping behind Clinton -- some giving her a lead of anywhere from three to 12 points. Trump vehemently argues that he is winning, the media are conspiring and the polls are wrong.
Above all, Trump has pledged to listen to the voters who have become fed up with the status quo of American politics.
“I see you, I hear you and I will never, ever let you down,” he said. “I promise.”
Election Day is Nov. 8.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
