Republican Presidential nominee, Donald Trump pulled his jet practically right up to the stage set at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Wednesday afternoon for a rowdy rally.
Thousands of people attended the rally outside on the tarmac. Trump claimed during his speech that the fire marshal blocked others from getting in, but a spokesperson with Lakeland Police said Trump’s statement was false.
His loyal supporters showed up hours earlier to get a good place in line, flashing signs, “deplorable” t-shirts, and that unmistakeable enthusiasm we’ve seen time and time again at Trump Rallies.
“I’m here to support Trump because the republican party has seemed to pull out behind him and I want to show him all the support that we can,” said Michele Turner, a loyal supporter.
Her support — and the thousands of others who came out to the rally — appears unwavering even after perhaps the most controversial five days of the Trump campaign.
His loyal base, seems to be looking past the vulgar comments caught on camera 11 years ago.
“It was just a distraction for me. He asked for forgiveness and I believe in forgiveness,” said Sherry Abbott, and Trump faithful.
Not everyone was in the forgiving mood.
A small group of protestors gathered outside the rally to push back against those now infamous comments.
“We’re not here as democrats. We’re here as women, women who are against the horrible things that Donald Trump represents,” said Karen Welzel, who waited out front protesting the rally.
When asked about it directly, many supporters go on the attack and instead focus on their political poe, Hillary Clinton.
The latest Clinton e-mails released by Wiki-leaks hint at special treatment and wrongdoing — just adding more fuel to the fire for Trump’s supporters.
“She needs to be under the jail, not in it, we don’t need her around,” one supporter said.
